The Portuguese Government were not satisfied that the possession of Villegagnon’s island at _Rio de Janeiro_ should not have been retained; and a good opportunity of regaining it seemed to offer on the peace with the _Tamoyos_, which had been procured by Nobrega and his companion. Accordingly, the nephew of the Portuguese governor was sent to _Bahia_ with two vessels, and with orders for his uncle to supply him with the force requisite for this purpose. Estacio de Sa reached his destination in February 1564, and in accordance with the advice of his uncle, before commencing operations, summoned Nobrega to his councils. They learned from a Frenchman that the tribe of _Tamoyos_ had already broken the recent peace, and were the allies of his countrymen. This unexpected news completely upset the plans of the Portuguese commander, for the French vessels were protected by the _Tamoyos_ at every point where an attack was possible. They declined to put out to sea, and, for want of small craft, he could not attack them at close quarters. Under these circumstances, and having learned that _S. Vicente_ was beset by the savages, he thought it prudent to proceed to the latter place; he was, however, driven back by a storm to _Rio de Janeiro_. It was now resolved by Estacio de Sa, in consultation with Nobrega, to proceed to _Santos_, where they found to their relief that those natives with whom the latter had been a hostage remained true to their engagements; and his presence and influence materially contributed to strengthen the force. These preparations, however, consumed the remainder of the year, and it was not until the following January (1565) that the expedition, consisting of six ships of war with a proportionate number of smaller craft, was ready to put to sea. But so unfavourable were the winds that, although they sailed from _Bertioga_ on the 20th of January, it was the beginning of March when they reached _Rio de Janeiro_.