o4f DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE, 
ter John. The prince was, however, warned, that 
if he expected any aid from so pious a monarch, 
it was indispensable, that he should previously be 
washed in the water of baptism. It is not said 
that Bemoy manifested any reluctance to a con- 
version, by which he was to gain such important 
temporal advantages. Decorum, however, re- 
quired, that a form of instruction should be ad- 
ministered ; and while the expedition, which was 
to convey him back to Africa, was in preparation, 
he was placed under the tuition of some of the 
most learned doctors which the kingdom afforded. 
These venerable personages having made a favour- 
able report of the fruit of their instructions, the 
Prince, on the 3d November 1489, was admitted 
to the honours of baptism.* On the same day, 
says the historian, that he received this eternal 
honour, he was admitted also to the temporal ho- 
nour of arms of nobility, which consisted of a cross 
of gold in a vermillion field, with the quarters of 
Portugal on the border. He then did homage to 
the King as his Hege lord for all the lands which 
he should gain by his aid ; and also to the Pope, 
in the person of his commissary, according to the 
form usually adopted by catholic princes. The 
King celebrated this event by all the exhibitions 
which were fashionable in that age — bull feasts. 
* Di Barros, IIL 7. 
