United States or Samoa ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
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.
Then Vasco da Gama went to see his brother, and so did Nicolas Coelho, and they all dined with great satisfaction, talking of the hardships they had gone through. When they had finished dining, Vasco da Gama ordered Nicolas Coelho to go in his boat up the river to see if he found any village.
These men, when they saw the boat, came to it and entered it in a brutish manner, and were in a state of amazement. No one knew how to speak to them, and they did not understand the signs which were made to them. So Nicolas Coelho made them go back to their canoes, and returned to the ships, but of the canoes one followed after the boat, and the others returned to take the news to their villages.
In order to make the shortest possible course for Portugal they kept away from the land, but as they approached the equator they suffered much delay from calms. Paulo da Gama was also taken very ill, and kept to his bed, when Vasco went on board his ship that he might be with him leaving Coelho in charge of his own.
The squadron sails along the coast on Christmas Day That part is named Natal Reaches the "River of Mercy" Careen ships The Saint Miguel broken up Coelho ascends the river Meets natives, who come on board A column erected A native vessel sighted Chase another Davane, a Moorish broker, captured Offers to conduct them to Cambay A zambuk taken Davane engaged in the service of the Portuguese Squadron enters harbour of Mozambique The sheikh visits the Saint Raphael Promises to send pilots His intended treachery Machado left on shore Voyage along coast continued The pilots plot to wreck the ships Anchor off Mombas Two convicts sent on shore Narrow escape of the Saint Raphael A zambuk taken, with her owner and his wife Melonda reached Friendly reception by the King of Nicholas Coelho visits him The captains pay him a visit in great state The King comes on board the Saint Raphael Pleasant intercourse with the people.
But it is difficult to believe that he owed to court favour alone the command of an expedition in which such men as Bartholomew Diaz, Nicholas Coelho the companion of Gama, and Sancho de Thovar sailed under his orders.
He then, running alongside the other ships, told their crews that he had put his master and pilots in irons, and promised that he would conduct them back in safety. Nicholas Coelho, on hearing this, was rejoiced, but feigning sorrow, told his ship's company that he regretted what had happened, and that he would entreat the Captain-Major, when the ships next met, to liberate the prisoners.
Word Of The Day