The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-13
vAsoo d eAMA AZ oA1ourrA.
Interesting Story of the First European
Voyage TO India.
From Rarrer's Younq PsopI.


From Rorper's Young PsopIe
Ths good fortune which had favored the
feet thus far still continued and at the end
Of a months pleasant sailing the high hills
near Calicu. came in sight. Anchoring
some distance from the city Da CANA sent
on shore to reconnoiter one Of the criminals
he had brought with him for that purpose.
The man was conducted to the house of a
Moor who could speak Spanish. and who at
once roughly demanded what ne had come
Tor. After some conversation, however,
he grew more courteous and accompanied
his visitor back to the ship, where
he accosted Da Cana in Spanish with the
words; GOOD luck good luck many ru-
oles; many emeralds. Thou art bound TO
give God thanks, for he has brought you
where there are all sorts OF spices, and
precious stones, with all the riches of the
world The admiral and bis companions
were so much delighted at hearing this good
news In Christian tongue when so far
from home that they wept for Joy. The
Moor promised TO do all the service he could
Tor them, and returned to land, leaving
them in high spirits.
Very soon an invitation came from the
samorln. as the King of Calicut was called
to pay him visit. Taking twelve Of his
companions, Da CANA accepted it, although
his brother officers feared treechery on the
part OF the Moors, who were very numerous
and influential. They we're received with
much pomp, and borne in splendid filters
through crowded streets to the palace,
where the samorin welcomed them with
every mark OF respect. He was found re-
Ginning in large room, the floor and walls
or which were covered with rich velvets and
silks, while he himself was clothed in fine
linen, stiff with gold embroidery and pearls
tr1sh han
and his fingers and toes being laden with
diamond rings His attendants all held
their left hands before their mouths, lest
their breath should reach the royal beings.
The visitors having been duly seated, re-
freshments IN the form of fruits were intro
duce1, followed by water in a curious
vessel having long golden spout. Being
informed that it was a gross breach of
etiquette to let the spout touch their lips,
OF at some distance and try to pour the
water into their gaping mouth as the ma
tives did. But being unused to the pro-
ceedIng, they made a poor business of it
and spilled a good deal, whereupon the
courtiers showed that they could be as
guilty Of bad manners as they subse-
quently proved of bad faith by laughing
at their guests awkwardness.
At the outset the Ssmorin evinced every
desire to be friendly and to crafty Da
Gamas desire to open up trade. But no
sooner WIS this apparent than the Moors,
who for long time had monopoly of the
commerce Of India, which they carried
on by way of the Red sea and Alex
andrie, began to plot against their Euro
pean rivals, and by bribing the samorin's
courtiers, succeeded in filing his mind with
suspicious about the new corners. The ne
gotiations which had opened so prosperously
were interrupted, and finally the admiral
and some of his companions were seized
and confined, not being released until Da
Gama's brother had sent q quantity of
goods as ransom.
On regaining his liberty Da Cana was so
disguised at this treachery that he resolved
to set out for home. Two days after he
sailed he was attacked during q calm by
sixty large boats full of soldiers. Happily a
wind sprang up in time to save the Portu-
Ruese feet from falling into the hands of
these rreacherous rascals, and the home-
ward voyaze was begun without further
mishap,