CHAPTER II - How the King sent Janifante with four caravels to discover the coast of Guiné

Summary

The King Dom Joan, in pursuance of his great desire, spoke with one Janifante, a foreign merchant, who frequently came to Lisbon, and knew much of the art of navigation, and he made an agreement with him, to give him ships and men, and all that was necessary, without his spending any more than his own labour; and that he should go and run down the coast of Benim, and run along it as far as he could, until he had expended his provisions: and that in all the new countries which he should discover and settle, he would give him such recompenses in them, that he would esteem himself fortunate. The said Janifante accepted this, giving a promise to the king that he would not value his life to serve him. The king at once fitted out four caravels, which Janifante selected at his pleasure in the river of Lisbon, and the whole of the cargo of the caravels consisted of provisions; and for merchandize, copper bracelets and brass basons, rattles and little bells, looking glasses, knives, coloured cloths, and coloured silks. All being disposed in good order, he set out, taking in the caravels only seafaring men. Thus he always ran along the coast of Guiné, because he always navigated in sight of land, taking soundings, and writing down all that he saw for the knowledge of the countries.