382 ACROSS AFRICA. [Chap. 



September, Bihe caravan we had met, and said it was j^erfectlj true. He 



1875. T^as so very positive in this statement that I at once conchided 



it must be false ; especially as there is a considerable trade in 



bees-wax between Bihe and Benguela, and where there is traffic 



there must be roads. 



Mona Peho's was near here, but Alvez decided not to visit 

 him, as he would surely detain us for two or three days. There 

 were also some Bihe people there as prisoners, and if it were 

 known that Alvez visited Peho without procuring their liber- 

 ation, their friends would, he said, plunder his settlement in 

 revenge. Yet, after this declaration, we marched straight for 

 Mona Peho's. 



When we had been two hours on the road, we were stopped 

 at a large village governed by a chief named Mona Lamba, who 

 informed us that we must halt there, and not proceed until he 

 had apprised his suzerain, Mona Peho, of our approach. 



Mona Lamba was a good-looking young fellow, dressed in a 

 blue jean coat with corporal's stripes on the arm, and a petti- 

 coat of red broadcloth ; and although interfering with our prog- 

 ress, he was very civil, and invited me and a few others into his 

 hut to have some refreshment. When we had seated ourselves, 

 he produced a huge gourd of mead, and filled a pint mug for 

 me. Being very thirsty, I emptied it at one draught, not know- 

 ing its strength ; and I heard that Mona Lamba entertained a 

 great admiration for me on account of my feeling no ill effects, 

 as a pint is usually sufficient to make the natives intoxicated. 



This mead is a mixture of honey and water made to ferment 

 by malted grain. It is quite clear, and has the taste of strong 

 sweet beer. 



Mona Lamba brought a further supply of this liquor into our 

 camp in the afternoon, but I refused his pressing invitation to 

 drink, not wishing to forfeit the high opinion he held of my 

 sobriety. 



He very much wanted my Austrian blanket, but I named 

 five bullocks as its price, for I could not possibly spare it. 

 Then he wished to exchange coats as a token of friendship, and 

 thouirh I should have been the sjainer, I had no inclination to 

 assume corporal's stripes, so made him some small present to 

 satisfy him that I reciprocated his friendly feeling. 



