THE EARLY EXPLORERS Vasco Da Gama's Voyage to India By THOMAS FROST ON a small vessels, manned bague July 8, 1497, Vasco da Gama sailed from the Tagus, hundred and sixty men, for the purpose of finding the route to India, round the Cape of Good Hope, which had been discovered by Diaz. The vessels separated on a dark and tempestuous night, but assembled again at Cape Verde, and sailed in company for the south. After enduring very stormy weather they reached St. Helena on November 4. So much hostility was evinced by the islanders that, after an affray with them, the little squadron weighed anchor, without obtaining the needed supplies, and proceeded on the voyage. On the evening of the 18th, they were in sight of the promontory which Diaz had named the Cape of Storms, and which again seemed to merit the appellation. Contrary winds prevailed, and for two days compelled the explorers to tack, constantly shifting the sails, but at length, on Wednesday, November 20, all the squadron doubled this tremendous promontory. On the 24, a landing was made at a place called Angra del Blas, where the dusky natives seem to have been both suspicious and treacherous. The exploring party fell into an ambush and retreated to their boats; but upon two guns being fired from one of the ships the natives dropped their weapons in affright and fled inland. Gama afterward had a pillar, bearing the royal arms of Portugal, set up on the beach, to commemorate his presence there, but it was pulled down again by the natives. The little squadron then sailed away, and for several days was compelled by stormy weather to stand away from the coast. Land was in sight again on January 11, and after coasting it for some distance two of Gama's officers went ashore and had an interview with the king-probably a chief of one of the Kaffir tribes of the country. Presents were made to this dusky potentate, who, in return, regaled his visitors with a supper of boiled fowl and millet. Leaving this place the expedition sailed fifty leagues beyond Sofala, where, on the 24th, Gama ascended a wide river which must have been one of the mouths of the Zambesi. The natives received the adventurers hospitably. Gama set up a mark on the beach to commemorate his visit, and, after a stay for the requisite repairs of the little fleet, continued his journey. Some islands were passed, which were probably the cluster of islets southward of Cape Delgado. There being much sickness aboard, the vessels anchored before Mozambique; the natives are described as speaking Arabic and having a considerable trade with India. No difficulty was experienced in procuring the supplies that were needed, but as soon as the sheik discovered that the strangers were not worshipers of the Prophet of Mecca, his civility diminished and the people regarded them with mistrust. Instead of two pilots only one was sent, and the permission to take water was withdrawn. Fresh water being essential to the success of the enterprise, Gama ordered his men to take it by force, and then occurred a collision. Gama brought the broadside of his vessel to the town, and subjected it to a vigorous cannonade. The voyage was then resumed, and on April 7 they reached Mombassa. Here they found more native mistrust. One of the vessels ran upon a shoal and an attempt was made to cut her cable. The ship being got off without much damage they sailed again on the 13. On the same day a native vessel was seized, and much gold and silver found aboard her, which the captors took possession of, making the crew prisoners. In the evening they anchored before Melinda. To the king of Melinda Gama delivered his Arab prisoners, and then, having obtained some information concerning the navigation, left there April 22, and, on May 20, anchored before Calicut, being the first European vessels that had ever entered an Indian port. Eight days elapsed before Gama received permission to go ashore, which he then did in great state and attended public worship in a Hindoo temple. From the pagoda Gama went to the palace, and made presents to the king, who evinced dissatisfaction at the smallness of their value, representing through his ministers that, to a sovereign of his rank, articles of gold and silver should have been sent. The Mahometan traders used all their influence for Gama's discomfiture, and it availed to have him arrested. On entering into an agreement to land his cargo he was released, and he took care not to go ashore any more. The goods landed, heavy dues were demanded, and Gama's factor and his secretary were arrested. Having sold his cargo Gama made reprisals by seizing several persons of distinction and putting to sea. Finding his vessels followed by an armed flotilla, he threatened to massacre his prisoners if his factor and secretary were not released, and by this threat he obtained their liberty. But instead of thereupon liberating his own prisoners, he set free only a certain number. The flotilla continued the pursuit, but he kept the boats at a distance by flring his guns, and, taking advantage of a fresh and favoring gale, made his escape. His ships were attacked soon after, however, by vessels supposed to be piratical, one of which was captured and others beaten off and driven ashore. A native vessel brought him a message from the ruler of Goa. Gama suspected a treacherous design, and the messenger being tortured confessed that Gama was to be lured to Goa and there seized. Then came contrary winds, with alternate storms and calms, during which Gama seems to have lost his course, for on February 2 he found himself at Maga doxo. He cannonaded the town, since the authorities of the place were Mahometans, and Mahometans had been his enemies elsewhere. Continuing his voyage homeward he arrived at Melinda, where he stayed for five days, and renewed friendly relations with the king. He then proceeded to Zanzibar, where he was well received. Sickness had so reduced his crew that he had not enough to navigate three vessels, so the least seaworthy of which he burned. He now ran southward as far as San Blas, and put into that port to refresh his crews. The Cape was doubled on April 25, and then they ran northwest for twenty days. After leaving the Cape Verde Islands the ships encountered a severe storm; and when the sky became clear the smaller vessel had disappeared. It was surmised afterward, that her captain purposely separated from Gama, in order to reach the Tagus first, for Gama found him there on his arrival. The commercial results of this voyage were immense. It enabled the Portuguese to have the monopoly of Indian trade for more than a century. The southern and eastern coasts of Africa were no longer a terra incognita, and the Sea of Darkness was disarmed of its terrors for the mariner. THE EARLY EXPLORERS Sir Francis Drake's Voyage Round the Tow World By THOMAS FROST OWARD the close of 1577 a small fleet of five vessels, the largest of which was only one hundred tons, was equipped at Plymouth, partly at the cost of Sir Francis Drake, and partly by the aid of certain distinguished persons, among whom the queen is said to have been one. The admiral assumed the command, and, beside the officers of the several vessels, was accompanied by a considerable number of gentlemen as volunteers. The little fleet sailed from Plymouth, November 15, but encountered such bad weather that the ships were obliged to put into Falmouth to refit, and did not resume the voyage until December 13. On the 27th, they anchored before Mogadore, and sailing from that port on the last day of the year, stood to the southwest, capturing several Spanish vessels on their way. On January 17, 1578, they were off Cape Blanco, where they landed their prisoners and remained several days, bartering with the natives. On the 27th, they were at Muyo, whence, supplies being refused them there, they stood to the westward. As they sailed past San Jago three guns were fired at them, but without doing any damage, and in revenge a Portuguese vessel, laden with wine, was seized. The crew were allowed to go free, with the exception of the pilot, who, because |