the top of his head, and round
the knot he wore a string of pearls, at the end of which was a
pear-shaped pearl of large size. To his ears were suspended golden
fairings of round beads.

By the side of the King stood two pages, one holding a red shield with a
border of gilt and jewels, and a drawn sword, having a hilt ornamented
with gold and pendent pearls. The other page held a gold cup, into
which the King spat. By the side of his chair was a priest, who from
time to time gave him a green leaf containing lime and areca, which he
chewed, making his teeth and gums red.

Vasco da Gama, in his character of ambassador, on arriving made a
profound salutation, and the King, bowing his head and extending his
right hand and arm, touched the right hand of the Captain-Major with the
tips of his fingers, and bade him sit on the dais by his side.

Vasco da Gama, through his interpreter, explained who he was, and
repeated the account he had already given. He then presented a letter
which had been written as if coming from the King of Portugal, and
signed with his hand and seal. The King, receiving it, placed it on his
breast with both hands, and then, opening it, gave it to the overseer to
be translated, and assured Vasco da Gama that he might have whatever
merchandise he wished to take on board and whatever he required for his
ships, and that he might send his people on shore to amuse themselves
and to buy what they liked. Having ordered his minister to announce
this by the crier, he dismissed Vasco da Gama, saying that he would
speak to him when more at leisure another day.

The Captain-Major, highly satisfied, retired, the trumpets blowing
before him until he reached the factory, where he took up his abode for
the night. Next day the overseer brought the Captain-Major twenty
pieces of fine white stuff embroidered with gold, and twenty other
pieces of stuff also white, and ten of coloured silk; also four large
loaves of benzoin and fifty bags of musk, as well as six basins and six
jars of porcelain. The overseer said that the King sent these things
for Vasco da Gama's own use, and that when he went away he would send
more for his King. Other presents were returned, and everything
appeared to go on smoothly.

Vasco da Gama was much struck by the barbaric splendour of this petty
Oriental potentate, little aware that in the far-off interior there were
other sovereigns possessed of infinitely greater wealth and power,