On one of the occasions that Magellan went on shore to hear mass he met the Queen, who appeared in a veil of silk and gold. He sprinkled over her some rose water and musk, and noticed that she cherished the image of the infant Christ.
"You do well," said he. "Put it in the place where your idols were; it will keep in your mind the Son of God."
"I will cherish it forever," said the veiled Queen.
She seems to have kept her word.
The joy of these scenes reached their height, when the King of Seba swore fealty to the King of Spain.
The scene of the conclusion of this ceremony was knightly indeed, and again reveals the heart of Magellan.
He, seeing a good spirit, of the King of Seba, resolved to swear fealty of eternal friendship to him. Only a Christian Knight would have dreamed of such a thing.
"I swear," he said, "by the image of our Lady, the Virgin, by the love of my Emperor, and by the insignia, on my heart, that I will ever be faithful to you, O King of Seba!"
Here the true character of the statesman as well as teacher appeared. History records few acts more noble. Magellan sought the good of mankind.
There was one officer on the ships whose soul, like that of Pigafetta's, must have been in all these benevolent efforts.