These _canoas_ were furnished with warlike
munition, every man for the most part having his sword and target, with
his dagger, beside other weapons, as lances, calivers, darts, bows and
arrows; also every _canoa_ had a small cast base mounted at the least
one full yard upon a stock set upright. Thus coming near our ship, in
order, they rowed about us one after another, and passing by, did their
homage with great solemnity; the great personages beginning with great
gravity and fatherly countenances, signifying that the king had sent
them to conduct our ship into a better road. Soon after the king himself
repaired, accompanied with six grave and ancient persons, who did their
obeisance with marvellous humility. The king was a man of tall stature,
and seemed to be much delighted with the sound of our music; to whom,
as also to his nobility, our General gave presents, wherewith they were
passing well contented.
At length the king craved leave of our General to depart, promising the
next day to come aboard, and in the meantime to send us such victuals as
were necessary for our provision. So that the same night we received of
them meal, which they call _sagu_, made of the tops of certain trees,
tasting in the mouth like sour curds, but melteth like sugar, whereof
they make certain cakes, which may be kept the space of ten years, and
yet then good to be eaten. We had of them store of rice, hens, unperfect
and liquid sugar, sugar-canes, and a fruit which they call _figo_
(plantains), with store of cloves.
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