lags, while flags were also exhibited on
the walls, to show the pleasure the King of Melinda felt at their
arrival.

Next morning a canoe came off, bringing a well-dressed personage, who
said that the King desired to know what they wanted in his country, that
he might send whatever they had need of from the city.

The Captain-Major replied that he required a good many things, but
without the King's leave he would not enter the port.

The old Moor, Captain Dias, who had been taken out of the zambuk, now
requested that he might be sent on shore, promising to bring back a
report of whatever the King had to say. This being approved of, he was
put into a skiff which was passing and conveyed on shore.

Captain Dias, on his arrival at the palace, informed the King that the
Portuguese had escaped the snares laid for them at other places, that
they had injured no one, and that he was directed to say that if leave
was not given them to enter the port, they would sail away at once.

The King, evidently pleased with this, immediately dispatched a boat
laden with refreshments of all sorts to the Captain-Major, requesting
him to enter, sending a pilot at the same time to conduct in the ships.
Vasco da Gama, however, thought it prudent before weighing anchor to
dispatch Davane to ascertain the real temper of the King.

Davane accordingly went on shore in the boat which had brought the
provisions, dressed in a red robe, so as to look as dignified as
possible, and presented himself at the palace. After some conversation
with the King, satisfied that his intentions were honest, he thanked his
Majesty for the refreshments he had sent, and said the Captain-Major,
accepting his invitation, would enter when the pilots thought fit.

Several persons of distinction came on board, among them the principal
priest of the mosque, who was honourably received: preserves in a silver
vase, and water with a napkin, being presented to him. The pilots
having taken in the ships and anchored them in a secure place, they were
decked out with flags. The crews then fired a salute with all their
artillery, so that the very city shook. Several of the larger guns
being discharged to seaward, the shots went skimming and ricochetting
over the water, causing great amusement to the people collected on the
beach, while the trumpets sounded and the men cheered.

When the priest was about to be sent on shore he informed the
Captain-Major that he had been di