fe.

The end of the year 1497 was approaching, and at Christmas, called by
the Portuguese Natal, the squadron passed that part of the coast, to
which they in consequence gave the name it has since retained. At
length, at early dawn, they came off the mouth of a large river, into
which the Captain-Major led the ships, and dropping their anchors, the
crews exclaimed "The mercy of the Lord!" for which reason the name of
the "River of Mercy" was bestowed on it.

Paulo, coming on board his brother's ship, entreated that the prisoners
might be set at liberty. The Captain-Major consented on condition that
if God should bring them back to Lisbon, they would agree again to be
put in chains, and be thus presented to the King to receive his pardon.

The crews then proceeded to careen their ships, but on examining the
_Saint Miguel_, commanded by Nicholas Coelho, she was found to be so
severely damaged, many of her ribs and knees being broken, that she
could not be repaired. It was therefore decided to break her up, and to
make use of her masts, timbers, and planks in repairing the others.

They now set to work on the Captain-Major's ship, first discharging all
the lighter stores into that of Paulo, when everything heavy below decks
was placed on one side, which caused her to heel over, and with the aid
of a tackle fixed to the mainmast, they canted her so much that her keel
was laid bare. Stages being formed, the crew got on them, some cleaning
the planks from the growth of seaweed, some extracting the caulking
which was rotten, when the caulkers put in fresh oakum, and pitched it
over. The officers took upon themselves the task of supplying the men
with food and drink while they were at work, and so much dispatch was
used that in one day and night they had finished one side. They then
turned her over, and performed the same work on the other.

The _Saint Raphael_ being once more loaded, Paulo's ship was next
repaired and strengthened with additional knees and ribs and inner
planking. The stores of the _Saint Miguel_ being divided between the
two ships, the Captain-Major received Coelho on board his own. They
then, having taken all the planking and timber they required from the
_Saint Miguel_, set her on fire, that the nails might be secured. This
important work being accomplished, Nicholas Coelho was sent with twenty
men up the river. After ascending it for two leagues he found the banks
covered with woods, and disc