112 CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE. 



that had quitted Embomma, on intelligence of an English 

 King's ship approaching. Their visit was for the purpose 

 of assurino- themselves if I meant to interfere with the slave 

 trade, and desired to show rae their papers. I declined 

 however looking at them, declaring explicitly that I should 

 not meddle Avith trade or traders in any manner, which 

 seemed to satisfy them, and they went off, as they said, to 

 brins their vessels back from Cabenda. The Fuka of the 

 Point and all the trading men seemed to be also rejoiced at 

 learning this= declaration, as they had still doubted, it seems, 

 my assurances made to themselves. There seems to be no 

 reason to doubt but that the chief slave trade to this river 

 is honajide Portuguese. Two persons of this nation visited 

 me, saying they were from Rio Janeiro ; I endeavoured to 

 learn en passant the amount of the trade, and by combining 

 their answers with the accounts of the natives, think it may 

 be averaged at 2000 slaves a year. 



The price of a slave at this time, as stated by the natives, 

 is as follows 



2 Muskets. 



2 Casks of gunpowder 



2 Guineas (1 fathom each). 

 12 Long Indians (10 fathoms each). 



2 Nicaneas (6 fathoms each). 



