208 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



voyage was rapid and fortunate ; for in twenty-three days they 

 arrived off the Malabar coast, and, after a day or two of south- 

 ing, discovered the lofty hills which overhang the city of Calicut. 

 Da Gama amply rewarded the pilot, released the malefactors 

 from their fetters, and summoned the crew to prayer. The 

 anchor was then thrown, and a feast was spread in honor of the 

 day. The route by sea had been discovered from the Tagus to 

 the Ganges : da Gama had laid out the way from Belem to 

 Golconda. 



CALICUT IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 



