e made better way than
either of the ships. After steering on for twenty days, they arrived
towards the end of March, 1498, off Mozambique, and, piloted by the
zambuk, entered the harbour, where they dropped anchor in a spot
sheltered from the sea winds.

On the shore a large number of houses covered with thatch and many
people were seen. The Portuguese sailors were now brought from the
zambuk, and the blacks, rewarded with pieces of white stuff, were sent
to their own vessel. The blacks having gone on shore and reported how
well they had been treated, canoes came off from the beach with
cocoa-nuts and hens. The Moor Davane, having received a present of a
scarlet cap and a string of coral beads, was carried on shore by Nicolas
Coelho, with directions to obtain fresh provisions and to learn where
the ships could water.

Davane informed the Sheikh, who acted as governor for the King of the
country, that the Portuguese were making a voyage to Cambay to obtain
cargoes of pepper and drugs, and that they were, he understood,
Christians. Not crediting the account, the Sheikh told the Moor that he
intended to visit the ships himself. It was found that many Moors were
settled in the country as merchants, carrying on an extensive commerce
in silver, gold, ivory, and wax; indeed, that most of the kings and
rulers of these countries were Moors and Mohammedans.

After some delay, the Sheikh came off to the _Saint Raphael_ in a vessel
composed of two canoes lashed together, upon which rested poles and
blankets, forming a deck, which was canopied by mats affording shade.

The Sheikh was seated on a low round stool, covered with a silk cloth,
with a cushion for his feet, while his attendant Moors were squatted
round him. He was a well made, dark man, dressed in a jacket of velvet,
and a blue cloth trimmed with braid and gold thread wrapped round him,
his drawers being of white stuff, reaching down to the ankles. Round
his waist he wore a silk sash, in which was stuck a silver-mounted
dagger; and in his hand he carried a sword, also mounted with silver.
He wore on his head a turban of many colours, with braid and fringes of
gold thread wrapped round a dark-coloured skull-cap. His attendants
were dressed in the same fashion. Some were fair, and others very dark,
being the sons of black women and white Moorish merchants who had for a
long time been established in the country. A couch covered with a
carpet for the Moors to s