. Vasco da Gama, his voyages and adventures . voice, — 252 VASCO DA GAMA. Now, when we reach your boats, you mustspeak to the men as if nothing was the matter, sothat they may not be alarmed at our approach,and so prepare to resist us. If you fail to dothis, your life shall be the penalty. Sir, replied the Jew, trembling, I will tryto save myself from death. Presently they came so near that the Indiansin the other boats heard them, and cried out, — Who is coming ? The Jew replied, in as natural a voice as hecould, — It is only I, friends : I am bringing some rela-tives with me. This seemed to
. Vasco da Gama, his voyages and adventures . voice, — 252 VASCO DA GAMA. Now, when we reach your boats, you mustspeak to the men as if nothing was the matter, sothat they may not be alarmed at our approach,and so prepare to resist us. If you fail to dothis, your life shall be the penalty. Sir, replied the Jew, trembling, I will tryto save myself from death. Presently they came so near that the Indiansin the other boats heard them, and cried out, — Who is coming ? The Jew replied, in as natural a voice as hecould, — It is only I, friends : I am bringing some rela-tives with me. This seemed to re-assure the Indians, whobecame quiet again. The Portuguese boatsrowed up as quietly and rapidly as possible, andere long surrounded the Indians. The gunnersheld their matches concealed, ready to touch offthe cannon at the word of command. All at once Vasco da Gama shouted in a loudvoice the war-cry of the Portuguese, — San Jago ! San Jorgt! His men gave a wild cry. The cannon boomedloud and sharp in the darkness, flashing a moment. i) r^ ^-1•fl 6 3 a 25O ORK LIBRARY ASTOR, LENOX ANDFOUNDATIONS. L. ALONG THE COAST OF INDIA. 253 ary and lurid light upon the scene; at the sametime, the lighted powder-jars were thrown amongthe enemy. The boats took fire; and the Indians,many of whom were awakened from sleep bythis terrible attack, plunged madly into the sea. The Portuguese boarded the boats, but weretoo late to catch any of the Indians, who swamwildly for the shore, or hid themselves in thebrush on the little islands near by. A num-ber of those swimming were killed on thespot by the Portuguese cannon and the cross-bows : others were caught on the islands, anddespatched without mercy. Then the boats wereall taken in tow, and carried back to the SanGabriel. In them were found stores of fish,rice, and cocoanuts, besides small cannon, javelins,swords, bucklers, and bows, with arrows made ofcane, terminating in long, broad iron points. The Portuguese stowed these away on the
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