206 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



houses were built of stone and mortar, and the city was de- 

 fended by a small fort almost even with the water. " They have 

 a king," says the chronicle, "and the inhabitants are Moores, 

 whereof some bee white. They goe gallantly arrayed, especially 

 the women, apparelled in gownes of silke and bedecked with 

 jewells of golde and precious stones. The men were greatly 

 comforted, as having confidence that in this place they might 

 cure such as were then sick, — as in truth were almost all ; in 

 number but fewe, as the others were dead." 



The King of Mombassa, however, was as great a rogue as the 

 Shah of Mozambique, from whom he had heard, by overland 

 communication, of what had happened in his island. During 

 the night following a grand interchange of civilities and of pro- 

 testations, da Gama was informed that a sea-monster was de- 

 vouring the cable. It turned out that a number of Moors were 

 endeavoring to cut it, that the ship might be driven ashore. 

 Anxious to quit this inhospitable coast, the fleet profited by the 

 first wind to continue their course to the north. They captured 

 a zambuco, or pinnace, from which they took seventeen Moors 

 and a considerable quantity of silver and gold. On the same 

 day they arrived off the town of Melinda, situated three degrees 

 only to the south of the equator. The city resembled the cities 

 of Europe, the streets being wide, and the houses being of 

 stone and several stories high. " The generall," we are told, 

 " being come over against this citie, did rejoyce in his heart 

 very much, that he now sawe a citie lyke unto those of Portin- 

 gale, and rendered most heartie and humble thanks to God for 

 their good and safe arrival." The chief of the captured zam- 

 buco offered to procure da Gama a pilot to take the fleet to 

 Calicut, if he would permit him to go ashore. He was landed 

 upon a beach opposite the city. The chief performed his 

 promise, and induced the King of Melinda to treat the strangers, 

 with courtesy and respect. Camoens thus describes the festivi- 

 ties upon the alliance : 



