lmonds which had been brought in glass bottles, oranges and
cases of marmalade.

The King and his courtiers appeared to have been more pleased with the
olives than anything else. They were presented with wine in gilt
vessels, which they refused, but they drank water from silver cups and
gilt glasses.

After the King had finished eating, Vasco da Gama took a richly gilt and
chased hand-basin and ewer to match, and was about to pour water on the
King's hands; but to this, out of courtesy, his Majesty would not
consent. He, however, allowed one of his people to pour out the water,
when he washed his hands and mouth, and dried them on a napkin
embroidered with gold.

The Captain-Major then ordered the water to be emptied, and put the
basin and ewer in their cases, and requested the King to accept them,
saying that, as they had been employed in his service, it would be
improper to allow anybody else to make use of them.

At this the King was highly pleased, declaring that no sovereign in
India possessed such things. On returning to the shore, the King would
not allow the Captains to leave their boats as he took leave of them.
Vasco da Gama also sent the chair in which the King had sat as a
present, greatly to his delight.

Thus was a firm friendship secured between the explorers and the
natives, so that the former could go on shore without the slightest fear
of receiving ill treatment.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

VOYAGE OF VASCO DA GAMA, CONTINUED--A.D. 1498.

Vessels fitted with tanks--Native pilots agree to guide them to India--
Their advanced knowledge of navigation--Another column erected--A
convict lad left with the King--Farewells--Ships sail--Mortality--Coast
of India seen--Anchor off Capocate--Dark-skinned naked natives appear--
Da Gama's politic treatment of natives--A Nair comes from the King of
Calecut--Da Gama fabricates a story to account for his visit--The
Moorish traders plot to destroy the Portuguese--A Castilian comes on
board--Warns da Gama of the Moors' plot--Nicolas Coelho sent on shore
with rich presents for the King--Tired by delays--Coelho received by the
King--Arrangements made for trading--Merchandise landed--Damaged spices
offered in return--Received by the Portuguese--The Castilian warns da
Gama not to venture on shore without hostages--Hostages sent off--Vasco
da Gama visits the King of Calecut--Magnificent presents sent by the
King.

The time for continuing the voyage having arrived, bei