232 Geographical Discovery in the African Continent. 



Manica is principally watered by a branch of the Zambezi, 

 the Manzora or Arvanha river, which has several tributaries, 

 the most westerly of which, the Mocaras, rises in Mount Fura, 

 Iving somewhere between lat. 18° &:19°, and longitude 30°. 

 This great mountain is said to be so abundant in the precious 

 metal that some have affirmed it to be the antient Ophir of 

 Solomon. Be that as it may, it is evident from the hewn stones 

 found upon it, which tradition declares to have been formerly 

 piled upon each other with great art, tliat it was at some re- 

 mote period frequented and tenanted by tribes more powerful 

 and skilful than the present inhabitants. The river which 

 flows from it carries down in its course, sand mixed with gold. 



Tete is about sixty leagues farther up the river, and about 

 half way between it and Sen^ is the pass of Lupata, where the 

 stream is so contracted that a child may throw a stone across. 

 The garrison consist of ninety four regulars. Fifty leagues 

 south-west of Tete are the ruins of Dambarari, the former site 

 of a fair, and once a large and flourishing town, where is still 

 standing the steeple of the church and even the clock in it. 



A month's journey from Tete brings the trader to the Zumbo 

 fair. From Tete down the river to the sea is a continuous 

 navigation, but from the former place to Zumbo the first fifteen 

 days has to be performed overland (in consequence of great 

 falls in the river) to Chicova, the reputed seat of large and 

 rich silver mines, and thence in small boats to the trading 

 station from which the adventurers send out their agents in 

 different directions, who, in return for Surat cloths, beads, 

 coarse silks and iron, bring back gold, ivory, and other valua- 

 ble articles. 



From information procured by Bowdich, the Zumbo fair is 

 held in about lat. 17° 30' and longitude 27° 30', nearly 500 

 miles direct north of Kunechane, a point which is now fre- 

 quently visited by the traders from the Cape colony. It is sur- 

 rounded by forests, and is a place of great resort, and a force of 

 thirtv-seven regulars is said to be maintained there by the Por- 

 tugueze. To it is brought not only the principal part of the 

 gold of the rich mines of Abutua, (through which country the 

 great river Cunene is supposed to run,) one hundred and 

 twenty leagues distant to the westward, but also that from the 

 mines of Pemba and Murusiwa, " and what seems more extra 

 ordinary, considerable quantities of ivorv from the Grunge 

 Hiver." In ihis part of the interior the climate is mild and 

 salubrious, but the resident Portiigueze mulattos are represented 

 to be very unprincipled. There are copper and iron mines 

 near Zumbo ; also beds of coal, various kinds of chrystals, and 

 an abundance of excellent timber. 



John Centlivres Chase, 



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