GOUVEIA'S FORESIGHT 141 



ivory filled with earth as a sign of submission, and 

 requested that he would at once take over the reins 

 of the ruler's waning authority. It so happened 

 that about this time some of the tribes of the Baru^ 

 under a chieftain named Makanga revolted. 

 Gouveia, therefore, without delay, collected the 

 Makombe's forces and marched against them. In 

 the encounter which ensued Makanga was killed 

 and his rebellious hordes dispersed. These opera- 

 tions had the eiFect of greatly strengthening the 

 Goanese adventurer's position, and he proceeded to 

 consolidate it by means which display a very con- 

 siderable amount of prudence and foresight. Select- 

 ing five important strategical sites, he immediately 

 constructed aringas thereon ; and with a view to 

 minimising the probability of treachery by those 

 placed in charge, he took the precaution of marrying 

 a wife each time that he established an aringa. 

 The lady thus honoured was placed in supreme 

 command of the fortification, and, as his direct re- 

 presentative, was naturally a person to whom the 

 utmost consideration was accorded. With such a 

 chatelaine controlling it, no possibility of deception 

 could arise, and, more important still, Gouveia 

 was assured of information of the most reliable 

 character on all matters connected with the small 

 garrison and the doings of its component members. 

 By these means the far-seeing half-caste com- 

 pletely dominated the Baru^ country, and received 

 almost daily reports from the nyanis in charge of 

 his various centres. His activity was amazing, and 

 his wealth and influence increased to such a degree 

 that south of the Zambezi he was practically the 



