SUPERSTITIOUS FEARS. 287 



than his patrimony in funeral orgies. He acted with his 

 wonted kindness, though, unfortunately, drinking has got 

 him so deeply in debt that he now keeps out of the way of 

 his creditors. He informed us that the source of the 

 Quango is eight days, or one hundred miles, to the south 

 of this, and in a range called Mosamba, in the country of 

 the Basongo. We can see from this a sort of break in the 

 high land which stretches away round to Tala Mongongo, 

 through which the river comes. 



A death had occurred in a village about a mile off, and 

 the people were busy beating drums and firing guns. The 

 funeral rites are half festive, half mourning, partaking 

 somewhat of the character of an Irish wake. There is 

 nothing- more heart-rending; than their death-wails. When 

 the natives turn their eyes to the future world, they have 

 a view cheerless enough of their own utter helplessness 

 and hopelessness. They fancy themselves completely in 

 the power of the disembodied spirits, and look upon the 

 prospect of following them as the greatest of misfortunes. 

 Hence they are constantly deprecating the wrath of de- 

 parted souls, believing that, if they are appeased, there is 

 no other cause of death but witchcraft, which may be 

 averted by charms. 



We were informed that a chief named G-ando, living on 

 the other side of the river, having been accused of witch- 

 craft, was killed by the ordeal, and his body thrown into 

 the Quango. 



The ferrymen demanded thirty yards of calico, but 

 received six thankfully. The canoes were wretched, carry- 

 ing only two persons at a time; but, my men being well 

 acquainted with the water, we all got over in about two 

 hours and a half. They excited the admiration of the 

 inhabitants by the manner in which they managed the 

 cattle and donkeys in crossing. 



On the eastern side of the Quango we passed on, without 

 visiting our friend of the conical head-dress, to the resi- 

 dence of some Ambakistas who had crossed the river in 



