36 THROUGH ANGOLA 



of its dialects are so different from each other as 

 to be unintelligible between one tribe and the 

 other. 



It was very necessary to obtain servants who 

 spoke or understood some of the dialects of the 

 countries to be traversed and English or Portu- 

 guese as well, but the prospect of obtaining 

 any such treasures seemed remote. The twenty 

 carriers to accompany me from the rail-head at 

 Melanje on the expedition after giant r-able had 

 been arranged by telegram by the Govovnnv- 

 General at Loanda, who assured me that they 

 would be ready on my arrival at Melanje. 



The last day in July was a strenuous one, but 

 with the help of Moiiteiro all the provisions. 

 camp equipment, and guns were passed through 

 the Customs. The duties vary in the different 

 Angolan ports. In Cabinda there is a G per cent. 

 ad valorem duty, possibly because goods there 

 would have to compete in prices with those in the 

 neighbouring state of the Congo. In other ports 

 the duty varies, and also depends on whether the 

 goods are of Portuguese origin or come out in a 

 Portuguese ship. At Ambriz the tariff ranges 

 from 6 per cent, to 12 per cent. At Loanda, 

 Benguella, and Mossamedes that on most goods is 

 25 per cent, ad valorem. 



My bill was 70 escudos on provisions, which 

 had cost 16, nothing at all on camp furniture 

 and photographic material, 120 escudos on three 

 guns and 500 cartridges, which were priced at their 

 cost value of 50. 



At Lobito Bay the guns of British sportsmen 



