[375] Varthema (p. 95) and Duarte Barbosa (p. 37) refer to the pearl fishery of the Bahrein islands. They both describe the islanders as Mohammedans. Mr. Bent (_Journal Royal Geographical Society_, xii, 1890) visited the islands in 1889, and states that there is a good supply of water. Indeed, a river such as is described in the letter only exists some 250 miles away. [376] King Manuel was better advised (see p. 115, note). [377] Ramusio says: “is frightened”. [378] These “anchors”, according to Varthema (p. 153), consist of a block of marble, which has two ropes attached to it. On the African coast a box fitted with stones is used for the same purpose. [379] The next expedition was that sent out under Pedralvarez Cabral, who left Lisbon in March, 1500, with thirteen vessels. [380] In Book VIII of his _Natural History_. [381] This last paragraph is not found in the _Paesi novamente retrovati_, and is taken from Ramusio. [382] This paragraph is rather puzzling. July 10th, 1499, was the date of Coelho’s arrival. Of the four vessels, two are correctly stated to have been burnt, though not near Cape Verde, namely, the store ship of 110 tons, and one of the vessels of 90 tons (the _S. Raphael_). Coelho brought home the small vessel of 50 tons, and the “captain” himself is stated to have returned in the remaining vessel of 90 tons. [383] The Cape Verde islands. [384] Grão or gran (Portuguese), kermes-grain, anciently scarlet, is not mentioned by Ramusio. [385] Rosebeeren (Roseberries) seems to stand for Rose mallus, or Rossamalha, an aromatic resin containing benzoic acid, yielded by the majestic Rasamala tree (_Altingia excelsa_) of Java, where it is used as a substitute for benzoin. [386] I need hardly direct the reader’s attention to the fact that the fustas of the Sabayo were fought _after_ Vasco’s return from Calecut, and that he visited neither Cochin nor Cananor in the course of this first voyage. [387] A MS. in the Torre do Tombo quoted by Texeira de Aragão (_Boletim_, VI, 1886, p. 580), ornamented with the coloured coats of arms of the _Counts_ of Vidigueira, and extending to 1641, seems to be identical in several respects with the MS. from which the above is quoted. The concluding portion, beginning with “returned to this kingdom”, is taken word for word from the earlier _Jornal_. Vasco da Gama is stated to have gone in the _S. Raphael_, whilst Paulo’s vessel, the _S. Gabriel_, is said to have been destroyed on the homeward voyage near Cabo de S. Vicente. [388] Paulo da Gama came back in this vessel, his own having been burnt by order of Vasco da Gama, off Tangáta. [_Note by the author._] [389] Pavia, a small town twenty miles to the north of Evora. [390] The 7th of April was a Saturday (see p. 34).