Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-05-27
pA CANA AT cALlcur.
The Portuguese sailor Makes the First
European Voyage to India.

The Portuguese sailor Makes the First
European Voyage to India.
The good fortune which had fav-
ored the fleet thus far still continued.
and at the end of months pleasant
sailing the high hills near Calicut
came in sight. Anchoring some dis
lance from the city. Da Cana sent
en- shore to reconnoiter one of the
criminals he had brought with him
for that purpose. The man Was con-
Quoted to the house OF Moor who
could speak Spanish and who AT once
roughly demanded what he had come
for. After some conversation, how
ever, he became more courteous, and
accompanied his visitor back TO the
ship, whore he accosted Da CANA in
Spanish with the words; Good luck,
good luck! many rubies; many emer-
aids
Thou art bound to give God
thanks, for he has brought you where
there are all sorts of spices and pre-
cious stones. with ali the riches of
the world"
The admiral and his companions
were so much delighted at hearing
this good news in Christian tongue
when they were so far from home
that they wept for joy. The Moor
promised to do all the service he
could for them, and returned to land.
leaving them in high spirits.
Very soon an invitation came from
the samorin, as the king of Calicut
was called. to pay him a visit. TAX
/ ing twelve of his companions, Da
Cana accepted it.although his broth
| en- officers feared treachery ON the
/ part OF the MOOrs, who were very
| numerous and influential, They were
received with much pomp and borne
4 in splendid filters through crowded
streets to the palace. where the sam
orin welcomed them with every mark
1 of respect.
/ He was found reclining in q large
/ room, the floor and walls OF which
were covered with rich yelyets and
/ silks, while he himself was clothed
/ in fine linen. stiff with gold en-
/ broidery and pearls, his turban gleam-
I ing with precious stones 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 refreshments in the form Of
fruits were introduced, followed by
water in curious vessel having a
long golden spout. SAYS Harper
Young People. Being informed that
il was gross breach Of etiquette to
let the spout touch their lips the
Portuguese we're fain to hold the
vessel off at some distance and try
70 pour the water in their gaping
mouths as the natives did But being
unused To the proceeding. they made
poor business Of it, ana spilled a
good deal, whereupon the courticrs
showed that they could be a. guilty
of bad manners a. they subsequently
proved Of bad faith BY laughing out
right at their guests awkwardncSs.
At the outset the samorin eyinccd
every desire to b, friendly and to
crafty Da Gama's desire to open up
trade. But no sooner was TINS appaf-
eut than the MOors, who for long
time had a monopoly Of the commerce
OF India, which they carried on by
way Of the Red sea and Alexandria,
began to plot against their European
rivals. and by bribing the samorin'.
cOurtiers succeeded in filling his mind
with superstitions about the new
corners. The negotiations which
opened so prOsperously We're inter
rupted, and finally the admiral and
some OF his companions were seized
and confined. not being released unit
Da Gama's brother had sent guam
tity Of goods as q ransom.
On regainiDg his liberty Da Gams
was 50 Disguised at this treachcry
that he resolved to set out for home
Two days after he sailed he was at
tackled one day during calm BY sixty
, large boats full Of soldiers. Happily
I, wind sprang up in time to save tb,
Portuguese feet from falling into tn,
hands of these treacherOus rascals
and the homeward voyage was begun
without further mishap