pay another visit to the King. Accordingly Vasco da Gama
got into the one intended for him, while eight of his men got ready to
accompany him on foot and unarmed. Just as they were setting out, the
Castilian passed, and uttered the words,--"Sufrir y callar."

"Endure and do not complain."

The Captain-Major had expected to arrive at the country palace of the
King, but instead he found himself, as night fell, at a poor house with
common straw mats on which to sit. Boiled rice and boiled fish were
brought for supper, but he was too indignant at the way he was being
treated to eat.

The next day the journey was continued, but by some means the officer
who had charge of Vasco da Gama got him separated from five of his men.
The heat was excessive; the sun beat down on their heads with terrible
force. At last they reached a river, when they embarked in a boat, in
which the Captain-Major was conducted a considerable distance,
accompanied by Joao Nunez and two others. Again they landed, when the
Captain-Major was shut up in a house, by himself while his men were
placed in another, though both were ignorant how near they were
together. The following day they were led by narrow paths through a
jungle, and at the end of it the Captain-Major was again shut up,
separated from his men. He now became not only indignant, but very
anxious. At last he was led out and conducted to where the Prime
Minister had taken up his quarters. That official, who looked very much
out of humour, did not even bid him sit down, but kept him standing
until Joab Nunez, who had been sent for, arrived. He then said that a
ship had come from Mombas, by which information had been received that
the Portuguese were pirates, and that they had behaved as such at Mombas
and Quiloa. He added that the King of Calecut was very angry, and had
ordered the Portuguese ship to be captured, and the officers and crews
to be kept in prison until they confessed the truth. He therefore
advised the Captain-Major to confess the truth to him, that he might
relate to the King what he said.

Vasco da Gama, on hearing this, almost laughed. He replied that, if
taken to the King, he would tell him the truth, and that he might go and
say so. The Prime Minister, on hearing this, was in a great rage, and
cross-questioned Joab Nunez, who replied as he had been instructed. The
minister then told Vasco da Gama that he must land all the merchandise
from both ships, and hav