for use, but it was received as if it had been in good order. Though
the King was highly pleased at thus easily getting rid of the damaged
goods in his stores, the Moorish merchants, more keen-sighted than he
was, declared, with some show of reason, that the Portuguese could not
be honest traders, but were in reality pirates, who had come to spy out
the land.

According to the Oriental custom, to give the Portuguese a great idea of
his importance, the King pretended to have forgotten all about the
embassy, and day after day deferred sending a message to say that he was
ready to receive it. The ministers at length, however, bribed by the
Moorish merchants, who were anxious to get the Portuguese Admiral into
their power, and hoped to do so should he venture on shore, advised the
King no longer to delay inviting him to pay his promised visit.

On hearing this, the Castilian, disguising himself as a beggar, came to
the factory, and begging alms in Castilian, was recognised by the
factor, who took him inside.

The Castilian then strongly advised that the Captain-Major should not go
on shore without proper hostages, and promised to give a sign as to
which was a good one of those offered. After this he retired, begging
as he had entered. The factor wrote to the Captain-Major, warning him
of the treachery intended, and a message was conveyed to the King
intimating that Vasco da Gama would not come until proper hostages were
delivered up. Three nairs were accordingly sent to the factory, one of
whom the Castilian pointed out as the King's nephew, and advised that he
especially should be strictly watched. On the arrival of the hostages
on board, they were received with due honour and conducted into one of
the cabins, where a watch was set over them.

As he was about to depart, Vasco da Gama received information that the
King had gone into the country, where he would receive him. The
hostages soon afterwards requested to be allowed to go on shore to eat;
but this Vasco da Gama would not allow, observing that as he had
received them from the King, he could only return them by the King's
command.

He had, in the meantime, sent word by a messenger, that he could not
present himself as an ambassador before the King, except at his own
royal palace. At length the messenger returned, saying that his Majesty
had returned to the city, and was now ready to receive the embassy.

Upon this the Captain-Major embarked in his barge