218 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



to ashes. A squadron was left to sweep the Moorish vessels 

 from the seas, and da Gama proceeded down the coast to Cochin, 

 the city of the friendly Trimumpara. Presents and compliments 

 were here exchanged, — the offerings of the King of Portugal 

 being a golden crown, vases of embossed silver, a rich tent, a 

 piece of scarlet satin, and a bit of sandal-wood, while those of 

 his majesty of Cochin were a Moorish turban of silver thread, 

 two gold bracelets set with precious stones, two large pieces of 

 Bengal calico, and a stone said to be a specific against poison, 

 and taken from the head of an animal called bulgodolph, — a 

 fabulous creature, declared by some to be a serpent and by 

 others to be a quadruped. 



An apology was now received from the zamorin, and da Gama 

 returned to Calicut with only one vessel. Seeing him thus 

 single-handed, the zamorin sent thirty-three armed canoes 

 against him, and, without the prompt assistance of Sodrez' 

 cruising squadron, da Gama would inevitably have perished. 

 The zamorin now threatened Trimumpara with his vengeance if 

 he continued to harbor the Portuguese and to trade with Chris- 

 tian infidels. Da Gama promised Trimumpara the assistance 

 and alliance of the King of Portugal, and set sail with well- 

 laden vessels. He met the zamorin's fleet of twenty-nine 

 sail, and, having captured two, put the rest to flight with great 

 slaughter. In the two that were taken he found an immense 

 quantity of porcelain and Chinese stuff's, together with an 

 enormous golden idol, with emeralds for eyes, a robe of beaten 

 gold for a vestment, and rubies for buttons. Leaving Sodrez and 

 his fleet to defend Cochin against Calicut and to exterminate 

 the traders from Mecca, da Gama returned Avith thirteen vessels 

 to Portugal. The king conferred upon him the titles of Admiral 

 of the Indian Ocean and Count de Vidigueira. He again 

 withdrew to privacy, and did not a second time emerge into 

 public life till the year 1524, when the interests of the country 

 under John III. again reclaimed his services in the East. 



