Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/188

 l.Jt

lIlST(JliV OF TNDTA.

[Book I.

A ). 1408.

I)e Gama's course along east coast of Africa.

His proceed- ings at Mo- sair)bi(iue.

met with an iiiliospital^le reception, which left liini no ineiination tf> ju'olong Iuh stay. He set sail again on the HJth of November, liaving already been more than four months at sea; and two < lays after came within sight of the Cape of Good Hope, which, after tacking about in consequence of baffling winds, they doubled on the 20th of November, amid the sound of music and general rejoicing.

They were now fairly launched on the Indian Ocean, but instead of steering right across it, continued for a time to follow the coast, making careful obser- vations, and daily discovering some new object to excite their wonder. On Christmas, 1497, they saw land, which, in honour of the day, they called Tierra de Natal; and which, still retaining its name, promises to rise into importance as a British colony. The next land visited belonged to the KafFres, with whom they had much friendly intercourse.

In proceeding farther north, the expedition was much impeded by currents, which induced De Gama to give the name of Caho de Corrientes to a prominent headland, and to keep far out to sea in order to avoid the risk of being embayed. Owing to this, Sofala, which was then the great emporium of this part of Africa, was passed without being seen. The natives appeared now to be more civilized than those who had previously been seen, and instead of the timid and suspi- cious looks which others had manifested, made themselves as familiar with the Portuguese as if they had been old acquaintances. As their language wa-s not understood, the conversation by signs was necessarily confined within very narrow limits, but enough was communicated to satisfy Vasco de Gama that they were accustomed to mingle with people in a still more advanced state of civilization. Two chiefs in particular, who paid him a visit in their own boats, gave him to understand that they had seen ships as large as those of the Portu- guese ; and after they had returned to the shore, sent two pieces of calico on board for sale. This cloth, which it is almost needless to mention, takes its usual name from the town of Calicut, excited a particular interest in the Portuguese, because supposing it, perhaps erroneously, to be the product of that city, it was the fii'st specimen of Indian manufacture which they had met with in their voyage. It was regarded as an omen of future success in their great undertaking, and hence Vasco de Gama gave to the stream, at the mouth of which these transactions took place, the name of Rio de Buenos Slnays, or River of Good Signs.

Having again set sail on the 2^i of February, 14?98, the vessels continued their voyage along the coast through the channel of Mosambique, and on arriving opposite to the town of that name, were hailed by a number of little boats, the crews of which made signs to stay for them. The vessels cast anchor, and the boatmen, without showing the least fear, leaped at once aboard, made themselves perfectly at home, ate and di'ank freely, and conversed in Arabic with one of the crew who understood that lanouaore. The intercourse at first