VASCO DA GAMA 19 



tion or perish in the attempt. The first point 

 on the South African coast at which the vessels 

 anchored, on the 7th of the following November, 

 was the Bay of St. Helena, about 120 miles from 

 the Cape, where observations were taken and water 

 obtained. One or two natives were captured, but 

 nobody could understand their speech. On Thurs- 

 day, the 16th of the same month, the ships made 

 sail from St. Helena Bay, and two days later came 

 in sight of Table Mountain. 



The following two months were spent in cruising 

 quietly along the South African coastline, until, on 

 Christmas Day 1498, the great commander found 

 himself off a point concerning which there is much 

 uncertainty, but which may have been slightly to 

 the north of the Umzimkulu River. This country he 

 called Natal, from the circumstance of his having 

 sighted it on the anniversary of the birth of the 

 Saviour. Continuing onward, the next halt was 

 made at the estuary of the Limpopo, which he 

 called the " Rio dos Reis," or River of the Kings. 

 Here presents were exchanged with the natives, 

 and the mariners and others were hospitably treated. 

 This spot was named the "Terra de Boa Gente," 

 or Land of Good People. It is a long distance 

 to the succeeding point at which the African 

 coast was sighted, but on January 24, 1499, the 

 squadron entered the Quelimane River, which was 

 christened, by reason of the kindness and courtesy 

 of their welcome by the people, the " Rio de Boas 

 Signaes," or RiA'^er of Good Signs. 



Here, although Vasco da Gama knew it not, his 

 vessels were moored in one of the mouths of the 



