THE YEARLY MAIL 253

and in Cannanore, chewing betel with black women to the
right and left!"—which sounds as if Antonio Real and his
friends were inclined to go native.

The royal favour went to their heads. Antonio Real,
just before he was sent home, made endless trouble by
publicly flaunting a very gracious letter from Ms sovereign
lord. D. Manuel thanked Antonio Real for his good services
and granted him certain rewards. The fidalgos just returned
from Aden felt very bitter that such attention should be
shown a man who had been living comfortably at Cochin
for the last few years. The Governor had the greatest diffi-
culty in soothing their resentment. Why, he asked Antonio
Real, had he done such a thing? " The devil tempted me1/'
replied Antonio Real in a burst of frankness.

The King, Albuquerque tells D. Martinho, should think
twice before sending letters of that kind. " Even I, old as
I am, and unexcitable, could not receive a letter of thanks
from the King without swelling with pride!''

But such things did not corne his way.