[90] On Prester John, see Zarncke (_Abhd. K. Sächs. G. der Wiss._, 1876 and 1879), and G. Uzielli (_Boll. della Soc. Africana d’Italia_, 1892, viii). Vasco da Gama had no doubt received special instructions to inquire for that Christian potentate. At one time he was looked for inland from Benin, but the information received from Pero de Covilhão, whom King John had despatched overland to India, in 1487, no less than that furnished by Lucas Marcos, an Abyssinian priest, who came to Lisbon soon after Covilhão’s departure, confirmed the Portuguese in the belief that the “Prester John” they were in quest of was the Emperor of Ethiopia, whose capital at that time was in Shoa. (See Covilhão’s narrative, as given by _Alvarez_, Hakluyt Soc., 1881.) [91] Barros calls them Abyssinians from the country of Prester John, and says that when they saw the image of the saint which formed the figure-head of the St. Gabriel, they knelt down and worshipped. The Abyssinian Christians, whatever their shortcomings, do not worship images, as is the practice of the Roman Church. These captives, therefore, must have been Indians, as stated by our author. [92] Barros calls this sheikh Zacoeja (Shah Khwajah?). [93] Marlota, a short dress of silk or wool worn in Persia and India. (Moura, _Vestig. da lingua Arab._, sub “marlota.”) [94] A Mozambique matikal (miskal) weighs 4.41346 grammes (Antonio Nunes, _O livro dos Pesos_, 1554, p. 50, published at Lisbon, 1868), and its value in standard gold would consequently be about 12_s._; elsewhere (p. 64) he makes this coin the equivalent of 467 reis, or about 11_s._ 4_d._ (_see_ Index, under _Cruzado_). [95] The island of S. Jorge. [96] Tavolochinha, in the original, is an obsolete word, which from its etymology seems to refer to a defensive armour presenting a broad surface (tavola). Castanheda, in relating this incident, substitutes _escudo_—shield—whilst Goes and Osorio speak of _adargas_ or _parmae_, that is, bucklers.—KOPKE. [97] Tamiça, lit. “spatry-cord”, popularly known as coir-rope. These “sewn boats” were already in use when the _Periplus of the Erythrean Sea_ was written, and the town of Rhapta (from [Greek: rhaptein], _to sew_) derived its name from them. (See McCrindle, _The Commerce and Navigation of the Erythrean Sea_, p. 71). [98] “Mats were the wings wherewith they lightly flew, From certain palm-fronds wove by cunning hand.” _Camoens_, Canto I, st. 46.—Burton’s Translation.