112 CAPTAIN TUCKEY’S NARRATIVE. 
that had quitted Embomma, on intelligence of an English 
King’s ship approaching. Their visit was for the purpose 
of assuring themselves if I meant to interfere with the slave 
trade, and desired to show me their papers. I declined 
however looking at them, declaring explicitly that I should 
not meddle with trade or traders in any manner, which 
seemed to satisfy them, and they went off, as they said, to 
bring their vessels back from Cabenda. The Fuka of the 
Point and all the trading men seemed to be also rejoiced at 
learning this declaration, as they had still doubted, it seems, 
my assurances made to themselves. There seems to be no 
reason to doubt but that the chief slave trade to this river 
is bona fide Portuguese. ‘Two persons of this nation visited 
me, saying they were from Rio Janeiro; I endeavoured to 
learn en passant the amount of the trade, and by combining 
their answers with the accounts of the natives, think it may 
be averaged at 2000 slaves a year. 
The price of a slave at this time, as stated by the natives, 
is as follows 
2 Muskets. 
2 Casks of gunpowder. 
2 Guineas (1 fathom each). 
12 Long Indians (10 fathoms each). 
2 Nicaneas (6 fathoms each). 
