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Davane was now sent on shore to bring off the pilots, who each received payment in advance, and he then went back to obtain provisions. The Sheikh took this opportunity of cross-questioning him, and learning the force and means of defence possessed by the two ships. Believing that they were richly-laden, and that he could capture them, he forthwith laid a plan to effect his object.
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, accompanied by Davane as interpreter, taking with him several large Indian boats, loaded with packages.
He then took his seat on one of the chairs in the middle, while his attendants occupied the bench. The Captains sat on either side of him. The Moor Davane, as interpreter, remained standing and ready to explain what was said.
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.
By this and other judicious measures, Vasco da Gama secured the friendship of the King. Nicolas Coelho was also sent on shore, richly dressed, accompanied by Davane, to pay a visit of ceremony to the King, who was highly pleased at seeing him, and bade him sit on the same carpet on which he himself was seated, a stool inlaid with ivory and worked with gold being placed for him.
The King assured Vasco da Gama that the broker Davane would act honestly, and that as he was now fairly acquainted with the Portuguese language, he would be of the greatest benefit. He warned his friends, however, to be on their guard against the people of Calecut, who were noted for their want of faith, advising them not to trust themselves on shore without safe hostages.
Having appointed Digo Diaz to act as factor, and Pedro da Braga as clerk, to be assisted by Joao Nunez, Davane, and one of the pilots from Melinda, he sent on shore for the purpose of trading, a chest of unwrought branch coral, the same quantity of vermilion, a barrel of quicksilver, fifty pigs of copper, twenty strings of large cut coral, and as many of amber, five Portugueses of gold, fifty cruzados, and a hundred testoons in silver; as also a table with a green cloth, and a pair of wooden scales.
This he said with a treacherous design, intending, in revenge for having been put in irons, to deliver them into the hands of the people, hoping that they would all be killed. Again Davane, who by this time could express himself very clearly in Portuguese, warned the Captain-Major of the pilot's treacherous plan.
Davane informed the Sheikh, who acted as governor for the King of the country, that the Portuguese were making a voyage to Cambay to obtain cargoes of pepper and drugs, and that they were, he understood, Christians. Not crediting the account, the Sheikh told the Moor that he intended to visit the ships himself.
Before going on shore himself, the Captain-Major sent Davane, accompanied by Joab da Nunez, one of the convicts, a Christian and a man of talent, who could speak Arabic and Hebrew, and also understood the Moorish language, although he could not speak it, that he might go to the city and ascertain the way of transacting business; he was ordered to buy only provisions, while he listened to what was said without speaking himself.
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