The Three Voyages of Vasco Da Gama, and His Viceroyalty from the Lendas Da India of Gaspar Correa by Stanley Henry E. J.;

Author:Stanley, Henry E. J.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hakluyt Society

CHAPTER XX.

How the Ships Arrived at Melinde, and What they did there Until they Departed for the Kingdom.

WHEN the ships arrived at the port of Melinde, they anchored, and dressed themselves out with flags, and the trumpets sounded, and the crews shouted. The pilot, who had already got leave from the captain-major, hailed the skiff of a ship which was near to them, and it was sent, and he went on shore to take the good news to the King of the good fortune which our men had met with; at which the King was much pleased, and went immediately to seat himself on the beach, waiting until the boats were lowered into the sea. The captains got into them at once and went to the shore, and as soon as the boats grounded they jumped out, because the King was standing by with the water reaching to his feet. He embraced the captains with both arms, as though they had been his brothers; and so he led them away to the palace, where he again embraced them, and sat down between them both, the captains making great salutations. The King then began to inquire of them if they came with good health, and if their affairs had been to their satisfaction. Paulo da Gama said to him: “Sire, you, with your royal sincerity and kind affection, put us in a good road, on which account we have found all that we were seeking for: and if the Lord be pleased to bring us to Portugal, we may say that we are very fortunate: and since you, Sire, procured for us this so great good, we and those who descend from us will for ever be under greater obligation to you than any men ever owed to a ruler.” For which reason they offered to him themselves and their ships and all they contained, for all was his, since all had been acquired through him, not only that which they possessed at the present time, but all that there might be in future, for all was his, as he was so good and true a king, and they promised to serve him like their own king and sovereign. The King thanked them very much with very affectionate words, and they related to him all that had happened to them; during this time the pilots came to kiss the King’s feet, and he gave them a warm welcome, and they related to him what they had seen the Portuguese do. When they related what they had done with the fustas at Angediva, all were much amazed, and the King said that he would be much pleased to see the Jew, and they at once sent to fetch him. When he came before the King, the captain-major bade him give an account of all his ill success to the King, which he related, and they were all much surprised. The King asked the captain-major how he had become acquainted with the treachery of the Jew.

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