300 



THE SEA. 



war as could be mustered. Long before they were ready, Dom Gama had sailed with his 

 fleet for Cochym (Cochin China) having on his way wreaked vengeance on as many of 

 the Calicut vessels as crossed his path. The king of Cochym had resolved from the first 

 to be friendly with the Portuguese, and Gama soon established an important factoiy, 

 from which the power of Portugal spread over India. In 1503 he returned to his own 

 country, to be welcomed with fresh honours and titles, but was not immediately re- 

 appointed to command in India. In 1524, however, he was appointed viceroy of 

 Portuguese India, and a year later died in Cochin China. Thus ended the life of one 

 of the most courageous adventurers the world has seen, but a life stained by crimes of 

 the most brutal nature. 



VIEW OF CALICUT IN THE loTH CENTURY. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



THE COMPANIONS AND FOLLOWERS OF COLUMBUS. 



The Era of Spanish Discovery-Reasons for its Rapid Development-Ojeda's First Voyage-Fighting the Caribs-Indians 

 and Cannon -Pinzon's Discovery of Brazil A Rough Reception- Bastides the Humane A New Calamity Ships 

 leaking like Sieves Economical Generosity of King Ferdinand Ojeda's Second Voyage The disputed Strong-Box- 

 Ojeda Entrapped Swimming in Irons -Condemned Abroad Acquitted at Home A Triumphant Client, but a 

 Ruined Man A Third Voyage Worthy La Cosa Rival Commanders A Foolish Challenge. 



IN the following pages the enterprises of certain Spanish and Portuguese voyagers less known 

 to fame than those recently under notice, but still great names in the history of maritime 

 discovery, will be recorded. Not merely had the examples of such men as Columbus and 

 Vasco da Gama stirred up a spirit of adventure unparalleled before or perhaps since, but, 

 as Washington Irving shows us,* the conquest of Granada and the end of the Peninsular 

 war with the Moorish usurpers, had deprived the Spanish of a sphere of action which had 



* " The Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus." 



