HOTTENTOTS ' TERRITORY 



201 



the trumpets to sound, and so they danced with our men. In 

 this pastime and feasting, and in buying their oxen and sheep, 

 the day passed over." Da Gama had reason before long to sus- 

 pect treachery, however, and withdrew his men and re-.embarked. 

 It was in this place that a man falling overboard, and swimming 

 for a long time before the accident was observed, was followed 

 by an albatross, who hovered in the air just above him, waiting 

 the propitious moment when he could make a quiet meal upon 

 him. The man was subsequently rescued, and the albatross 

 disappointed. 



Da Gama now passed the rock de la Cruz, where Diaz had 

 erected his last pillar, and by the aid of a brisk wind escaped 

 the dangers of the currents and shoals. Losing sight of land, 

 he recovered it again on Christmas-day, and in consequence 

 named the spot Tierra da Natal, — a name which it still pre- 

 serves. From this point his course was nearly north, along the 

 eastern coast of the continent. Farther on he landed two of 

 his malefactors, with instructions to inform themselves of the 

 character and customs of the inhabitants, promising to call for 

 them on his return. On the 11th of January, 1498, he anchored 

 off a portion of the coast occupied by people who seemed peace- 

 ably and honestly disposed. They were, in fact, Caffres, — the 

 fleet having passed the territory of the Hottentots. One of the 

 sailors, Martin Alonzo, understood their language, — a circum- 

 stance very remarkable, yet perfectly authenticated. As he 

 had not been lower than the Mina, on the western coast, and of 

 course never upon the eastern at all, the inference seems in- 

 evitable that some of the negro tribes of Africa extend much 

 beyond the limits usually assigned them in modern geography. 

 After two days spent in the exchange of civilities of the most 

 courteous nature, the ships proceeded on their way, — da Gama 

 naming the country Tierra da Boa Crete, — Land of Good 

 People. 



He next found, at the mouth of a large river, a tribe of 



