XXXIL] SLAVE-TRADE ON THE COAST. 421 



Many natives were busily engaged in collecting them, and November 

 actually cut down trees of fair size which were thickly covered, 1875. 

 in order to secure this delicacy. 



Only two hours and a half were spent on the march this day, 

 although we were six hours on the road ; and one man, heedless 

 of the sad fate of Majuto, straggled away and hid himself, and 

 remained absent until the evenino'. 



Up caravans were now rather frequently met, but being prin- 

 cipally composed of and owned by natives, no news could be 

 gathered from them. 



A small party of Senhor Gongalves's men also met us in the 

 morning, and stated that slaves were no longer allowed to be 

 taken into Benguela, and that all brought there lately had been 

 liberated, and the importers punished. This was unexpected 

 and unwelcome news for Manoel and the Bailunda accompany- 

 ing me, whose faces at once lengthened considerably. 



Manoel had informed me, only the day previous, that slaves 

 were still exported from the coast, especially from Massomedes. 

 He said they were held in readiness for embarkation, although 

 scattered about the to-\vn in small parties, instead of being kept 

 in barracoons as formerly ; and a steamer came in for an hour 

 or two, shipped the slaves, and was off again immediately. I 

 inquired their destination, but he could give me no information 

 on that point, and, indeed, was too ignorant to know much of 

 the outside world. 



After this day's exhibition, I saw that the marching powers 

 of my men had gone from bad to worse, and that some decisive 

 steps must be taken, or the caravan would never reach the coast, 

 now only one hundred and twenty-six geographical miles distant. 



Upward of twenty men complained of being unable to walk 

 far or to carry any thing ; swelled legs, stiff necks, aching backs, 

 and empty stomachs being the universal cry. 



Taking my pipe to my assistance, I sat down for half an 

 hour's reflection, and then resolved on the action to be taken. 

 It came to this : throw away tent, boat, bed, and every thing 

 but instruments, journals, and books ; and then, taking a few 

 picked men, make a forced march to the coast, sending thence 

 assistance to the main body. And this was no sooner decided 

 than acted upon, for no time was to be lost. 



