DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 58 
gal. On his arrival at Lisbon, the King imme- 
diately ordered accommodations to be provided in 
the castle of Palmela, and all the honours shewn, 
to which European princes are entitled. Bemoy, 
in a few days, was brought to court, and was in- 
troduced to the King and Queen. They received 
him in presence of all their grandees, and with 
the utmost pomp which the court was capable of 
displaying. The Portuguese chronicles are lavish 
in describing the astonishment and admiration of 
Bemoy at this exhibition of European magnifi- 
cence. When the public ceremony was over, he 
was introduced to a private audience of his Majes- 
ty, and had an opportunity of explaining, to a will- 
ing auditor, the grounds on which he sought his al- 
liance and aid. He gave also a splendid descrip- 
tion of this part of Africa, mentioning, in par- 
ticular, Tombuctoo, Jenne, and the extensive 
trade carried on by those cities. He added, that, 
beyond Tombuctoo, there extended, far to the 
east, the territory of a people, who were neither 
Moors nor Gentiles, but who, in many of their 
customs, strongly resembled the Christian nations 
whom he now saw around him. This circum- 
stance, above all others, animated the zeal of his 
Portuguese Majesty ; since it appeared infallible, 
that this region must either be, or at least must 
very closely border upon, the actual dominion of 
Prester John. The prince was, however, warned, 
