THE PORTUGUESE AND THEIR FOLLOWERS. 37 
of a strong current, but of which the violence was neu¬ 
tralised thanks to a favourable wind. On the 25th of 
December, Christmas Day, the country of Natal was 
discovered. 
The ships had sustained some damage, and fresh 
water was needed ; it was therefore urgent for them to 
find some harbour, which they succeeded in doing on 
the lOtli of January, 1498. The blacks whom the 
THE LAND OF GOOD PEOPLE. 
Portuguese saw here upon landing were people of 
greater stature than those whom they had hitherto met 
with. Their arms were a large bow with long arrows, 
and a zagaye tipped with iron. They were Caffres, a 
race very superior to the Bushmen. Such happy rela¬ 
tions were quickly established with them that Gama 
gave the country the name of the Land of Good People 
(Terra da Bon Gente). 
A little further on, while still sailing up the coast, 
two Mussulman traders, one wearing a turban, the other 
