aspect of the continent, it was inferred, incorrectly indeed, yet not unplausibly, that an empire, which stretched so far inward from the eastern coast, must approximate to the western; and that, by penetrating deep on that side, they could scarcely fail at length to reach its frontier. For this reason, whenever an expedition was sent out to any part of the coast, the first instruction given was, to inquire diligently if the inhabitants knew any thing of the monarch in question. Every opportunity was also to be embraced, of penetrating into the interior; and, on hearing the name of any sovereign, an embassy was to be sent to ascertain, if he either was Prester John, or could throw any light as to where that personage might be found.

So long as the naval career of the Portuguese extended along the shores of the Sahara, and they saw nothing before them but a "wild expanse of lifeless sand and sky," no temptation was felt to form a permanent settlement. After passing Cape Blanco, however, the coast began to improve; and when they came to the fertile shores of the Senegal and Gambia, and saw ivory and gold brought down in considerable quantities from the interior, these regions began to excite the ambition of settlement and of conquest. The undertaking, however, was beyond the force of any expedition that had yet sailed from Portugal. Nunez Tristao, in

attempting to ascend a small river near the Rio Grande, was attacked by the negroes, and killed, along with a number of his men.* An insular position appeared, therefore, the most eligible for a first establishment. With this view, Arguin was fixed upon. It was the largest upon this coast, and at such a distance from the shore as afforded protection against sudden attack. The neighbouring continent was altogether barren; but it maintained some profitable commercial intercourse with the nations in the interior. Soon after this establishment was formed, a very important event took place. Bemoy, one of the princes of the Jalofs, a people who inhabit the territory between the Senegal and Gambia, came thither to seek the aid of the Portuguese. He complained of having been unjustly expelled from the throne by one of his relations, and solicited a force to reinstate him in his dignity. To princes, who have begun to cast a longing eye upon their neighbour's dominions, such an application is always an event of the most grateful occurrence. It secures to them a party in the kingdom towards which their views are directed; and it gives an air of nobleness and generosity to what would be otherwise an odious and wanton aggression. Bemoy was received at Arguin with open arms, and the governor sent for

* Di Barros, I. 14.

+ Ibid. III. 6.

ward himself and all his train in a vessel to Portugal. On his arrival at Lisbon, the King immediately ordered accommodations to be provided in the castle of Palmela, and all the honours shewn, to which European princes are entitled. Bemoy, in a few days, was brought to court, and was introduced to the King and Queen. They received him in presence of all their grandees, and with the utmost pomp which the court was capable of displaying. The Portuguese chronicles are lavish in describing the astonishment and admiration of Bemoy at this exhibition of European magnificence. When the public ceremony was over, he was introduced to a private audience of his Majesty, and had an opportunity of explaining to a willing auditor, the grounds on which he sought his alliance and aid. He gave also a splendid description of this part of Africa, mentioning, in particular, Tombuctoo, Jenné, and the extensive trade carried on by those cities. He added, that, beyond Tombuctoo, there extended, far to the east, the territory of a people, who were neither Moors nor Gentiles, but who, in many of their customs, strongly resembled the Christian nations whom he now saw around him. This circumstance, above all others, animated the zeal of his Portuguese Majesty; since it appeared infallible, that this region must either be, or at least must very closely border upon, the actual dominion of Pres.

ter John. The prince was, however, warned, that if he expected any aid from so pious a monarch, it was indispensable, that he should previously be washed in the water of baptism. It is not said that Bemoy manifested any reluctance to a conversion, by which he was to gain such important temporal advantages. Decorum, however, required, that a form of instruction should be administered; and while the expedition, which was to convey him back to Africa, was in preparation, he was placed under the tuition of some of the most learned doctors which the kingdom afforded. These venerable personages having made a favourable report of the fruit of their instructions, the Prince, on the 3d November 1489, was admitted to the honours of baptism. On the same day, says the historian, that he received this eternal honour, he was admitted also to the temporal honour of arms of nobility, which consisted of a cross of gold in a vermillion field, with the quarters of Portugal on the border. He then did homage to the King as his liege lord for all the lands which he should gain by his aid; and also to the Pope, in the person of his commissary, according to the form usually adopted by catholic princes. The King celebrated this event by all the exhibitions which were fashionable in that age-bull feasts,

* Di Barros, III. 7.

feats of dogs, and puppet-shews. Bemoy took this opportunity of displaying the prowess of some of his own followers. As the principal Portuguese cavaliers were making a display of their horsemanship, he called several negroes, who, on foot, followed and kept pace with the swiftest of these animals. The same negroes leapt off a horse, as it was riding at full gallop, and, following, again mounted, with the same promptitude as if he had been standing perfectly immoveable.

*

Meantime, the Portuguese court were busily employed in equipping a fleet, which, under the shew of establishing Bemoy in his native dominions, might establish their own power on the fertile banks of the Senegal. The armament consisted of twenty caravels, well armed and equipped, and having on board a large proportion of land troops, with materials for building a fortress. The command was given to Pero Vaz d'Acunha, while Alvaro, a brother of the order of Dominicans, was sent with a body of monks for the purpose of converting the natives to the Christian faith. With this armament, Pero Vaz entered the Senegal, and began the erection of the intended fort. But it appears, that some misunderstanding arose between him and the African prince. The latter, probably, soon perceived, that the Portuguese

* Di Barros, III. 12.