ON THE MMA'YU NATION. 117 



" ;For forty days, the Portuguese ships traded at Maldca; but still the 

 f Portuguese commanders remained on shore, presenting dollars by the 

 *' s chest; and gold; and how many beautiful cloths did they present to the 

 Cf illustrious Sultan Ahmed Shah, so that the Sultan was most happy ! 



" After this Sultan Ah'med Shah said to the commanders of the 

 -« Portuguese^ ' What more do you require from us, that you tender us 

 " such rich presents?' To this the commander replied, e We only request 

 ■«• one thing of our friend, should he be still well inclined towards the 

 " white men/ Whereupon Sultan Ah'med Shah said, « State what it is 

 " that I may hear it, and if it is in my power I will comply widi the re- 

 "' quest of my friend.' The Portuguese answered, « we wish to request a 

 " small piece of ground, to the extent of what the skin of a beast may 

 * ( cover.' Then said the Raja, « let not my friends be unhappy, let 

 " them take whatever spot of ground they like best, to the extent of what 

 ce they request/ 



M The captains were highly rejoiced at this, and the Portuguese im-* 

 ei mediately landed bringing with them spades, bricks, and mortar: the 

 «' commander then took the skin of the beast, and having rent it into 

 " cords, measured out therewith four sides, within which the Portuguese 

 *' built a store house of very considerable dimensions, leaving large 

 Ai apertures in the walls for guns ; and when the people of Maldca en- 

 ■" quired the reason of the apertures being left, the Portuguese returned 

 u for answer, * These are the apertures that the white men require for 

 " windows.' The people of Maldca were satisfied and content. 



" Alas ! how often did the Bendahara and the Tamungungs approach 

 " the Raja with a request that the white men might not be permitted to 

 i\ build a large house: but the Raja would say, ( My eyes are upon them, 



F 2 



