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The story also occurs in Coelho's Contes Portuguezes, and is probably of Buddhistic origin. And an analogous story is told of an Irishman who gave his hens hot water, in order that they should lay boiled eggs! Vol. v.
Vasco da Gama immediately comprehended the meaning of Coelho's words, and replied, so that those on board his own ship might hear, that he could not withstand the tears and lamentations of his people, nor did he wish to have to give an account to God of their lives, and that he had begged them to labour on for their own safety; observing that should the weather again become bad, he would put back, but that to exculpate himself with the King, he should draw up a document explaining his reasons for returning, and should require them to put their signatures to it.
Early voyages of Portuguese to coast of Africa Prince Henry of Portugal Cape Bojador discovered Madeira visited by Gonzales Dom Joao the Second Bartholomew Diaz discovers Cape of Storms, called by the King Cape of Good Hope Envoys sent to Prester John King Manuel fits out a squadron Appoints Vasco da Gama to command them Paulo da Gama Nicholas Coelho Grand ceremony at leave-taking Squadron sails Meet at Cape de Verde Islands Enter a bay on African coast Intercourse with natives Veloso nearly caught by them Ships stand off the land Terror of the crews Wish to return Da Gama refuses The Cape of Good Hope doubled Ships stand along south coast of Africa No natives seen A tremendous gale Clamours to return Mutiny suppressed by a device of Coelho's Da Gama puts his pilots in irons.
Vasco da Gama, as he was very quick-witted, at once understood what Nicolas Coelho's words meant, and called together all the crew, and said to them that he was not so valiant as not to have the fear of death like themselves, neither was he so cruel as not to feel grieved at heart at seeing their tears and lamentations, but that he did not wish to have to give account to God for their lives, and for that reason he begged them to labor for their safety, because if the bad weather came again he had determined to put back, but, to disculpate himself with the King, it was incumbent upon him to draw up a document of the reasons for putting back, with their signatures.
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.
Perceiving how their companions were being treated, a number of other negroes rushed out, very nearly catching the boaster, and began throwing stones and shooting arrows at Coelho's boat.
Then he roused himself and finished his coffee and cigarette, looking out the wide window across the city below treetops and towers, roofs and domes and arching skyways, busy swarms of aircars glinting in the early sunlight. Not many people cared for João Coelho's music, now, and least of all for the Eighth Symphony.
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