_ 559 _ to accept it. I envy you no part of it for I was shocked to see you fighting naked pickaninnies who flee in all directions like goats”. And he ordered one of his men to go to where the gates had been stowed and throw them into the sea. Then he took his helmet off his head and gave it to one of his pages, together with his shield and his lance. He then put on a cloth cap and took a cane in his hand and called Gaspar, the interpreter, ordering him to take him to the houses of the King from which he would take another set of gates, this time with greater honour than there had been in the capture of those on the shore “that they stole from me; my Lord King shall know that with a cane in my hand and a ca p on my head, I went to the houses of the King of Calicut. He shall know how he has been deceived by fearful tales and affectations about this famous Calicut which had only naked pickaninnies to defend it, with whom it was shameful for armed men to be fighting”. The Viceroy spoke the truth about this “honourable expedition”. As the Marhal was speaking, the Governor stood leaning on his lance with his shield slung over his shoulder and all his men behind him and he was deeply insulted by the Marshal’s words but without obvious irritation he replied, “Good sir, it was to take back the gates on the shore that you came here from Portugal and if there is any affectation shown in the matter of Calicut it is yours.
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