however, we had brought with us to pay our way, had, by the
long detention from fever and weakness in both myself and men, dwindled
to a mere fragment; and, being but slightly acquainted with the Balonda
dialect, I felt that I could neither use persuasion nor presents to
effect my object. From all I could hear of Matiamvo, there was no chance
of my being allowed to proceed through his country to the southward. If
I had gone merely to visit him, all the goods would have been expended
by the time I returned to Cabango; and we had not found mendicity so
pleasant on our way to the north as to induce us to desire to return to
it.

The country of Matiamvo is said to be well peopled, but they have little
or no trade. They receive calico, salt, gunpowder, coarse earthenware,
and beads, and give in return ivory and slaves. They possess no cattle,
Matiamvo alone having a single herd, which he keeps entirely for
the sake of the flesh. The present chief is said to be mild in his
government, and will depose an under-chief for unjust conduct. He
occasionally sends the distance of a hundred miles or more to behead an
offending officer. But, though I was informed by the Portuguese that he
possesses absolute power, his name had less influence over his subjects
with whom I came in contact than that of Sekeletu has over his people
living at a much greater distance from the capital.

As we thought it best to strike away to the S.E. from Cabango to our
old friend Katema, I asked a guide from Muanzanza as soon as the funeral
proceedings were over. He agreed to furnish one, and also accepted a
smaller present from me than usual, when it was represented to him by
Pascoal and Faria that I was not a trader. He seemed to regard these
presents as his proper dues; and as a cargo of goods had come by Senhor
Pascoal, he entered the house for the purpose of receiving his share,
when Senhor Faria gravely presented him with the commonest earthenware
vessel, of which great numbers are brought for this trade. The chief
received it with expressions of abundant gratitude, as these vessels are
highly valued, because from their depth they can hold so much food or
beer. The association of ideas is sometimes so very ludicrous that it is
difficult to maintain one's gravity.

Several of the children of the late Matiamvo came to beg from me, but
never to offer any food. Having spoken to one young man named Liula
(Heavens) about their stinginess, he soon brought