Vasco da Gama wrote at once to his brother all that had happened, so that he should endeavour to arrange matters with the judge and obtain his pardon, since he had got that of the king, and then come to kiss the king's hand, as was highly fitting. This Paulo da Gama did with much diligence; and he obtained the forgiveness and became friends with the judge, from whom he obtained a document, with which he came to the king, and kissed his hand and said: “Sire, I owe much to God for granting me the great favour that your Highness should choose to make use of me in a business so important for your service.” The king replied: “I selected your brother; and he (selected) you to be assisted by you in his labour in this enterprise, which God inclined me to commit to him; for which my heart greatly trusts that he will give satisfaction to my desire, on which account I commit to him the whole charge and authority. He, like a good brother, knowing the obedience which he owes to you from your being his elder, would wish to go under your command, by which he shewed obedience to God, for which I hope that our Lord will reward you both: and I confide in both of you, that you are men such as will do me such good service as will oblige me to give you great recompenses. But as I have set my will upon your brother to give him the charge of this voyage, you may arrange amongst each other as you please with respect to the honour of the standard, for I shall be pleased any way.”