ABSTRACT
LTJDOVICO DI VARTHEMA. 275 departed from Pannani,1 and from Calicut, and from Capogat, and from Pandarani, and from Tormapatan.2 All this fleet was two hundred and nine sail, of which eighty-four were large ships, and the remainder were rowing vessels, that is, paraos. In which fleet there was an infinite number of armed M oors; and they wore certain red garments of cloth stuffed with cotton, and they wore certain large caps stuffed, and also on the arms bracelets and gloves stuffed ; and a great number of bows and lances, swords and shields, and large and small artillery after our custom. When we saw this fleet, which was on the 16th of the month abovementioned, truly, seeing so many ships together, it appeared as though one saw a very large wood. W e Christians always hoped that God would aid us to confound the Pagan faith. And the most valiant knight, the captain of the fleet, son of Don Francisco dal Meda, Viceroy of India, was here with eleven ships, amongst which there were two galleys and one brigantine. When he saw such a multitude of MomMsa, steered towards India, visited the island of Anjediva, touched next at Honahwar, and finally arrived at Cannanore, where he received permission to build a fort. I have hitherto supposed it unlikely that these different transactions were accomplished by the end of 1505 ; nevertheless, it is still more improbable that Varthema should be mis taken in this and the succeeding dates ; hence, by postponing the erec tion o f the fort at Cannanore till the end o f 1506, (see note 1 on p. 266 ante) I have miscalculated by one entire year.
