rected to remain there as a hostage
until all arrangements were completed. On this the Captain-Major
assured him that he required no hostages, as he was convinced of the
good intentions of the King.

Soon after this the old Moor Dias, who had been captured in the zambuk,
presented himself to the King, and entreated that he would make interest
to have himself, his wife, and crew restored to liberty, observing that
none of his property had been touched, nor had any harm been done them.
The King accordingly sent a message to Vasco da Gama, who immediately
directed Davane to take a boat and tow the zambuk, with the old Moor and
all his property, to the city, and present them to the King.

When Captain Dias and the others heard this, they exclaimed, raising
their hands to heaven, "May God reward you and all your company, and
restore you to your country in health and safety!"

By this and other judicious measures, Vasco da Gama secured the
friendship of the King. Nicolas Coelho was also sent on shore, richly
dressed, accompanied by Davane, to pay a visit of ceremony to the King,
who was highly pleased at seeing him, and bade him sit on the same
carpet on which he himself was seated, a stool inlaid with ivory and
worked with gold being placed for him.

The sagacious Coelho did not fail to impress the King with the great
power and dignity of the sovereign of Portugal, whom he represented as
the chief Christian monarch of the world. After the interview, Coelho
was carried on board the _Saint Raphael_ in the King's barge of state,
richly adorned and gilt. The King also presented him with some fine
coloured cloths, and with a ring having a blue stone set in it.

Everything the ships required was purchased on shore, and paid for with
silver testoons, which went for double their worth. The honest Coelho's
visit having been so successful, it was arranged that the King should
have an interview with the two chief Captains. The day being fixed,
they dressed themselves in their most splendid costumes, all the men
they took with them being likewise handsomely clothed.

Each Captain went in his boat, seated on a chair covered with crimson
velvet, with a carpet underneath, the sides of the boats being covered
with rugs, on which the men sat. The boat, adorned with several flags,
had also two swivel guns, and two cannoneers ready to discharge them.

A salute being fired as they left the ships, they proceeded side by side
to the