Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 2).djvu/31



Soon after leaving Quiloa, the expedition fell in with a native vessel, which conducted them in safety to Melinde, described as a city on the open coast, containing many noble buildings, surrounded by walls, and of a very imposing appearance from the sea. Here they anchored in front of the city, "close to many ships which were in the port, all dressed out with flags," in honour of the Portuguese, whose reputation for wealth and power had spread along the coast to such an extent as to induce the king's soothsayer to recommend that they should "be treated with confidence and respect, and not as Christian robbers." Large supplies of fresh provisions were sent on board of the vessels; and the king having spoken with his "magistrates and counsellors," resolved that they should be received in a peaceable and amicable manner, because "there were no such evil people in the world as to do evil to any who did good to them."

The king having arranged to visit the Portuguese ships, Vasco de Gama received him with royal honours, presenting him with many articles of European manufacture, which were highly prized. After frequent interchanges of civilities, the king informed De Gama that Cambay, of which he was in search, did not contain the produce he desired, for it was not of the growth of that country, but was conveyed thither "from abroad, and cost much there." "I will give you pilots," he added, "to take you to the city of Calicut, which is in the country where the pepper and ginger grows, and thither come from other parts all the other drugs, and whatever merchandise there is in these parts, of which you can buy that which you