shore, where the King was waiting for them with his attendants,
the people crowding the walls, the houses, and beach.

The King then came on board Vasco da Gama's boat, where a carpet had
been spread and a chair placed for him to sit upon. The usual
complimentary speeches having been exchanged, the Captains falling on
their knees tried to kiss his hand, when the King made them rise, on
which the crews of the boats shouted "Welcome, the Lord be praised!"
The trumpets sounded and the great guns saluted as had been arranged.
On hearing the trumpets the King seemed highly delighted.

The King having landed, the two brothers returned to their ships, and
gave an account to Nicolas Coelho of what had passed.

The next day Vasco da Gama paid a visit to the King at his palace, where
his Majesty made him sit down on a silk dais, and the same sort of
compliments passed as before.

The chief drawback to the satisfaction of the voyagers was that,
although furnished with a variety of provisions, they were unable to
obtain flour, which was not produced in the country.

The King, that they might not be cheated, sent a crier over the city,
ordering that nobody was to sell anything to the Portuguese for more
than it was worth, and that, should the law be infringed, he would burn
down the culprit's house.

The King now expressed his wish to visit the ships, and the
Captain-Major having fixed a day, they were cleaned and ornamented with
flags; the quarter-decks were covered with figured stuffs from Flanders,
and carpets and rugs, lances with the points burnished, and naked swords
and other weapons, with splendid breast-plates, on which were engraved
the arms of the Captains, were hung up; while in the cabin was a
sideboard covered with plate, all the attendants being splendidly
dressed.

The Captain-Major, going on shore, received the King, who was
accompanied to the ship by numberless boats, with flags flying,
kettledrums and other musical instruments being played; but when the
trumpets of the Portuguese sounded, all kept silence that they might be
heard. The great guns of the ships fired salutes and the people shouted
as the King, mounting the ladder, came on board, where the Captains,
supporting him in their arms, with great courtesy placed him in a chair
on the quarter-deck.

The King having sat some time, was conducted into the cabin, where a
handsome table was spread with napkins, conserves, confectionery and
preserved a