_ 47 _ When they reached the captain-major's ship, they wanted to come aboard with their weapons but he did not allow them to. No more than four or five of the most important men came aboard and they spent about two hours with us before leaving. This made us think that they had come to see if it was possible to capture one of our ships. On Palm Sunday the King of Mombasa sent a sheep and a lot of oranges, lemons and sugar cane to the captain-major. He also sent him a ring as a guarantee, and said that if he decided to enter the port he would give him everything that he needed. Two light-skinned men brought these gifts, stating that they were Christians, and we took them at their word. The captain-major sent the King a string of corals and informed him that he would enter the port the following day. The same day four of the leading Moors stayed on the captain's ship, and the captain sent two men to the King of that city to give further assurances of peace. When these went ashore, a large crowd immediately followed them to the palace gate. Before reaching the King, they passed through four doors, flanked by four doorkeepers with drawn cutlasses in their hands.
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