uese were peaceable, and wished to be their friends.
The captains, therefore, brought figs, cocoa-nuts, and fowls, and
persuaded the fishermen who had before kept away to come and sell their
fish while the crews and passengers landed to wash their clothes, so
that the Portuguese and the natives became great friends.

Here the ships were refitted, and water taken in. While thus employed,
a floating object, which looked like a large raft, was seen approaching
from the main coast, covered over with branches. Vasco da Gama's
suspicions being aroused, he inquired of the fishermen what it was.
They informed him that it in reality consisted of a number of large low
boats fastened together, and was the device of a famous pirate, Timoja
by name, who hoped thus to get alongside, and then, with his men, while
the Portuguese were unprepared, attack them.

On this the Captain-Major ordered his brother and Nicolas Coelho, who
was on board the same ship, to get under weigh, and go out and meet the
pirate. They did so, firing their guns as they approached with such
effect, that the boats were seen to separate and make with all speed
towards the shore.

Thus the Portuguese were saved from the threatened danger. Some time
passed, when, their preparations being nearly completed, a small, fast,
rowing vessel, called a fusta, carrying sails as well as oars, was seen
approaching Vasco da Gama's ship, and would have been received without
suspicion had not the faithful fishermen again warned him that treachery
was intended. They said that during the night they had observed a large
number of fustas come in and conceal themselves in the islets and bays
round the island, not more than half a league off, and that it was very
evident from this that they intended mischief; that they were under the
command of a Jew, who was admiral of the fleet of Sabayo, the ruler of
Goa, a large city twelve leagues off; that the object of the Jew was to
surprise the ships, hoping to find them unprepared, and carry them into
Goa, so that Sabayo might obtain their cargoes. Soon after dawn a small
fusta, with the Jew, came close up to the ships, as if about to pass by
them to some other part. On getting near the stern he hailed the ships
in Castilian, saying, "God preserve the Christian captains and their
crews," when the rowers giving a shout, the trumpets from the ships
replied. The Jew, getting nearer, said, "Noble captain, give me a safe
conduct, that I