Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 2).djvu/22

 *

and along the coasts of a new-found world, Dom John, of Portugal, was vigorously following up the voyages of discovery which Prince Henry had commenced in the early part of the fifteenth century. "He had heard," remarks Gaspar Correa, "from a Caffre or Negro king of Benin, who in 1484 took up his quarters in Lisbon, many marvellous things about India, and its affairs." But though this sable monarch spoke of "Prester John," he does not appear to have had any idea of the position of the golden land, over which he was the traditional ruler. Dom John, however, resolved to ascertain this fact, and despatched "secretly two young men of his equerries, to learn of many lands, and wander in many parts, because they knew many languages."

"The king," continues Correa, "promised them a large recompense for their labour, and for such great services as they would be rendering him; and for as long as they should continue in this service, he would take good care for the support of their wives and children." He directed them to separate and to go by different roads, giving to each of them letters of acknowledgment of the recompense which he promised them if they returned alive, or to their sons and widows if they should die in this service. He like-*