62 CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE, 



the Portuguese government had prohibited their subjects 

 from trafficking in slaves to the north of Cabenda, where 

 there were now nine vessels bearing their colours, and one 

 Spaniard. The Mafook however acknowledged that they 

 sometimes sent their boats from Cabenda to Maleinba to 

 procure slaves, and indeed we saw an European boat 

 sailing between the two ports. From the description of 

 the vessel hoisting Spanish colours at Cabenda, there could 

 be no doubt of her being the ship we passed on the 18th. 



The Mafook finding we did not want slaves, offered to 

 supply us with frcsli provisions : and as I knew we should, 

 as usual, be obliged to anchor in the evening not far from 

 our present station, I accepted his offer of sending his boats 

 on shore for that purpose, he himself desiring to remain on 

 board for the night with eight of his officers, doubtless in 

 the expcctaiion of having a glorious dose of brandy, which 

 in fact they swilled until they could no longer stand. 



The dresses of these gentry were a singular medley of 

 European and native costume; the Mafook had on a red 

 superfine cloth waistcoat ; his secretary, an English ge- 

 neral's uniform coat on his otherwise naked body ;*a third 

 a red cloak edged with gold lace like a parish beadle's. Sec. 

 &.C. The native portion of the dress consisted of a piece of 

 checked or other cotton cloth folded round the waist, and 



