The
Zamorin Made No Reply To This, But Immediately Demanded That He Should
Produce The Letters From The King Of Portugal.
One of these was written
in the Portuguese language, and the other in Arabic; and the general
explained that
This had been done, because the king his master did not
know which of these might be understood in the dominions of his highness:
And, since he now knew that Portuguese was not understood in India,
whereas Arabic was, he requested that some Christian of the Indies who
understood Arabic might be employed to interpret the letter, because the
Moors were known to be enemies to the Christians, and he was afraid lest
they might purposely give it a wrong interpretation. The king gave orders
to this purpose, but no Indian could be found who was able to read the
letters, or at least who would acknowledge that he could read them.
Seeing that it was now necessary that it should be read by the Moors, the
general requested that Bontaybo should be one of those appointed for the
purpose, placing more reliance on him than the others, as he was an
acquaintance. The king accordingly commanded the letter to be read by him
and other three Moors; who, having first read it over to themselves,
interpreted it aloud to the king, to the following effect: "As soon as it
became known to the king of Portugal, that the king of Calicut was one of
the mightiest kings of all the Indies and a Christian, he was anxious to
establish a treaty of amity and commerce with him, that he might procure
spices, which were in great abundance in his country, and to procure
which the merchants of many parts of the world trade thither: And, if his
highness would give a licence to send for spices, he would send many
things from his kingdom which were not to be had in the dominions of his
highness; or if these things were not satisfactory, of which the general
could shew him some samples, he was willing to send money, both gold and
silver, to purchase the spices. And finally referring his highness to the
general for farther information."
On hearing this letter interpreted, and being desirous that his revenues
might increase by the resort of many merchants to his dominions, the
zamorin evinced his satisfaction at what he had heard; and assuming a
more friendly deportment towards the general, asked him what were the
articles of merchandize that could be had from Portugal. De Gama named
many different kinds; particularly mentioning such as he had samples of
along with him, and likewise their money, and requested permission to go
on board his ships that he might bring these things to his highness,
offering to leave four or five of his men in his lodgings during his
absence. Giving now more credit to the general than to what had been said
by the Moors to his prejudice, the king told De Gama he might go on board
when he pleased, taking all his men with him, as there was no call for
any of them remaining on shore. He likewise said the general might freely
bring his goods on shore, and sell them to the best advantage. The
general was greatly satisfied with this permission, of which he had no
hopes at the first, on seeing the unfriendly reception he had met with at
the commencement of his audience. He went back, therefore, to his lodging,
accompanied by the kutwal; and the day being near a close, he deferred
returning on board that night.
De Faria gives a somewhat different account of what passed at this second
audience[62]. "It was wonderful that the zamorin, not knowing how to be
properly assured of the truth, should rely on the faith of him who was
accused by his ministers. For, as if he had really known in what
detestation the Portuguese hold a lie, although to their own advantage,
he sent for De Gama, and told him plainly that he had been informed his
embassy was all a counterfeit, and that he was some banished man or a
fugitive: Yet at the same time offered, even if it were so, to give him a
kind reception, and to make him handsome appointments in his service; and
promised to rely entirely on his word for information respecting the
truth of the whole story. De Gama heard the king to an end with a firm
countenance, and declared himself highly sensible of the confidence
reposed in him. He then proceeded to answer all that had been alleged
against him, which he completely overturned by irrefragable argument in a
long and eloquent speech, preserving the utmost gravity and composure
throughout the whole. The zamorin eyed him steadfastly the whole time,
hoping to be enabled to judge of the truth or falsehood of his assertion
by his countenance; and concluded, from the unconcernedness of his looks,
the eloquence of his words, and the firm gravity of his whole demeanour,
that no deceit could lurk under such appearances of sincerity, that the
Moors had accused him maliciously, and had imposed on his ministers. He
therefore frankly allowed De Gama permission to return to his ships, and
to land his merchandize, if he had any: Saying, that while that was doing,
he would prepare a satisfactory answer to the letter of the king of
Portugal."
On the next day, being the last of May, the kutwal sent a horse to the
general to carry him to Pandarane; but having no furniture, he requested
to be supplied with an _andor_, which was sent accordingly, when De Gama
immediately set out for Pandarane, all his people accompanying him on
foot. The kutwal remained at Calicut, but a considerable number of nayres
escorted the general on his way. When the Moors learnt that the general
was gone to the ships, they went together to the kutwal, making large
offers of money to him, if he would pursue the general, and detain him a
prisoner under some feigned pretence; when they would take some
opportunity of having him slain, in such way that the blame should not
attach to the kutwal.
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