loths
half-way down their thighs, who came flocking to the beach. A council
was held on board Paulo da Gama's ship, when Davane advised that no one
should venture on shore without hostages. He stated that the King of
Calecut was the most powerful sovereign on the coast of India, and that
he was very vain and very rich on account of the trade of his city.

In a short time a number of fishing-boats came off, and, being called
alongside by the Moorish pilot, the fishermen willingly sold their fish.

Vasco da Gama told the pilots to repeat to the fishermen the story he
had invented: that he had separated from a large fleet of Portuguese
ships of which he was in search, and that he had hoped to find them at
this port. He would allow no one on board to trade except the pilots,
who were ordered to give whatever the fishermen demanded.

Among other boats one loaded with wood came alongside, but as the ships
had abundance it was not purchased. There were six men in the boat, and
knowing that they would be disappointed at not finding a market for
their wood, to their great surprise, as also to that of Davane, Vasco da
Gama ordered that a vintin should be given to each of them; so that,
when they returned on shore, they did not fail to praise the strangers.

The Captain-Major had resolved not to land until he had received
permission from the King to do so, but three days passed and no
messenger came off. Davane was therefore directed to go on shore, with
a request to the ruler of the country that he would allow the Portuguese
to visit him. Just as he was about to set off a large boat came to the
ship, bringing an officer of the King, called a Nair. His only garment
was a white cloth, covering his body from the middle to half-way down
his legs. He carried a light round shield and a short sword with an
iron hilt. Addressing the Captain-Major, who was pointed out to him, he
stated that he came to ascertain who the new-comers were, and what they
required in the port.

Vasco da Gama replied that he was the servant of the greatest Christian
king in the world, who had sent a fleet of fifty ships out to these seas
to obtain cargoes of pepper and drugs, in exchange for the rich
merchandise of gold and silver which they had brought, and that the
Portuguese were anxious to establish a lasting peace with the King and
people of the country at which they had arrived. He then stated that he
himself was the ambassador who had been e