The people made bread of the "marrow of trees," and carried victuals in baskets on their heads.
Masses were said for the crews on shore, and the natives knelt down with the men.
The people were so pleased with their visitors that they built a common house for them.
A pleasing illusion had made the sailors most welcome here.
It had not rained in Verzim for two months when the expedition landed. The people were looking to the heavens for mercy day by day. But the copper sun rose as often in a clear sky.
At last Magellan's sails appeared in the burning air. The sight of the sails was followed by that of clouds.
The people thought that the fleet had brought the clouds with them.
"They come from Heaven," said they of the adventurers.
So when they were exhorted to accept Christianity, they at once fell down before the uplifted crosses and believed the teachings of the sea heroes who could command the clouds and bring rain to the parched land.
They thought the ships were gods and the small boats the children of such beings, and when the latter approached the ships they imagined that they were children come home to their fathers or mothers.