Tambarane!_ Which Is Their
Name For God, They Fled Away.
Nicholas Coello, who was in his boat,
followed after them, firing off his ordnance; but the general, fearful of
any mischance, called him back by signal.
Next day, when the general and all his men were on shore at work upon the
Berrio, twelve natives, who appeared to be men of some consequence, came
to the island in two small _paraos_, and presented a bundle of sugar
canes. These people asked permission to go on board the ships, as they
had never seen any such before; but the general was much offended with
this, fearing they might be spies. While engaged in conversation with
these men, other two _paraos_ made their appearance, having as many men.
But those who came first, seeing the general displeased, advised these
new comers not to land. When the Berrio was repaired, the generals ship
was brought aground to receive the same attentions.
While the general and the other captains were on shore, busied in the
repairs of the San Michael, there came one day a man in a little _parao_,
seemingly about forty years old, and not of that country, as he was
dressed in a _sabaco_, or gown of fine cotton reaching to his heels, his
head covered with a kerchief or towel, which partly covered his face, and
wearing a faulchion or crooked cymeter at his girdle. Immediately on
landing, he went up and embraced the general, as if he had seen or known
him before, and treated the other captains with the same politeness. He
told them he was a Christian, born in Italy, and had been brought when a
child into the Indies. That he now dwelt with a Moorish lord named
_Sabayo_, who ruled a certain island called Goa, about twelve leagues from
thence, and who had 40,000 horsemen on that island. That, as his dwelling
was now among the Moors, he conformed externally to their worship, though
in his heart a Christian. That learning certain men had come in ships to
Calicut, such as had never been seen before in the Indies, and that no one
understood their language, he immediately understood that they must be
_Frangnes_,[67] for so the Christians are named in the Indies. That he was
desirous of seeing them, and had asked leave of _Sabayo_ to come and visit
them; which, if he had not obtained, he would have died of vexation. That
Sabayo had not only granted him leave for this purpose; but desired, if he
found the strangers to be from his country, to offer them any thing they
might stand in need of which his country produced; particularly spices and
provisions. And besides, if they would come and live with him, Sabayo
would entertain them honourably, and give them sufficient to live on. The
general asked many questions concerning the country of Sabayo and other
things, to which he made answer. After which he requested to have a cheese
from the general, to send on shore to a companion, as a token of having
been well received.
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