194 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



in short, the faithful expression of the geographical science of 

 the age. 



The fleet equipped for da Gama's voyage consisted of three 

 ships and a caravel, — the San Gabriel, of one hundred and 

 twenty tons, commanded by da Gama, and piloted by Pero 

 Dalemquer, who had been pilot to Bartholomew Diaz ; the San 

 Rafael, of one hundred tons, commanded by Paulo da Gama, 

 the admiral's brother ; a store-ship of two hundred tons ; and 

 the caravel, of fifty tons, commanded by Nicolao Coelho. Be- 

 sides these, Diaz, who had already been over the route, was 

 ordered to accompany da Gama as far as the Mina. The crews 

 numbered in all one hundred and sixty men, among whom were 

 ten malefactors condemned to death, and who had consequently 

 nothing to hope for in Portugal. Their duty in the fleet was 

 to go ashore upon savage coasts and attempt to open intercourse 

 with the natives. In case of rendering essential service and 

 escaping with their lives, their sentence was to be remitted on 

 their return home. 



A small chapel stood upon the seaside about four miles from 

 Lisbon. Hither da Gama and his crew repaired upon the day 

 preceding that fixed for their departure. They spent the night 

 in prayer and rites of devotion, invoking the blessing and pro- 

 tection of Heaven. On the morrow, the adventurers marched to 

 their ships in the midst of the whole population of Lisbon, who 

 now thronged the shore of Belem. A long procession of priests 

 sang anthems and offered sacrifice. The vast multitude, catch- 

 ing the fire of devotion and animated with the fervor of religious 

 zeal, joined aloud in the prayers for their safety. The parents 

 and relatives of the travellers shed tears, and da Gama himself 

 wept on bidding farewell to the friends who gathered round him. 



Camoens thus describes the emotions of the adventurers as 

 they gazed at the receding shore : 



"As from our dear-loved native shore we fly, 

 Our votive shouts, redoubled, rend the sky : 



