Chap. II. ARRIVAL OF QUENGUEZA. 19 



Next day Quengueza brought me as a present a 

 very fine goat, the largest I had ever seen in Africa. 

 Goats are regal presents in this part of the continent, 

 and Quengueza had reared the one he brought with 

 the express intention of giving it to me, if I should 

 fulfil my promise of returning from the white man's 

 country. Our formal ureeting next day was an im- 

 portant one ; and I chose the opportunity to renew 

 our pact of friendship. 



After the first cordial greetings were over, I told 

 him, in a set speech, how I had been received in 

 America and Europe, and how his name, and tho 

 great service he had rendered me in enabling me to 

 penetrate into the far interior, had become widely 

 known amono- the nations of white men. I also told 

 him, in a low wliisper, that I had brought from one 

 of his well-wishers in England a present of a chest-, 

 full of fine things.* The old man rose in his turn, 

 and made an eloquent reply. With the figurative 

 politeness of a negro chief, he assured me that his 

 towir, his forests, his slaves, and his wives were mine 

 (he was quite sincere with regard to the last), that 

 henceforth he should have no will of his own, but 

 that I might do whatever I chose, that " my belly 

 should be full every day," meaning that I should 

 never be hungry, and, what was of more importance, 

 he would assist me with all his influence, and even 

 accompany me, in my proposed journey towards the 

 interior, quietly adding, in a tone not to be heard 



* My friend, Mr. John Murray, of Albemarle Street, gave me £50 for 

 the purpose of XJiii^chaiiing suitable presents for Quengueza and other 

 chiefs. 



