CYPRIANO'S GENEROUS HOSPITAUTY. 341 



but none of the bullets reached us. It is probable that they 

 expected a demonstration of the abundance of ammuni- 

 tion they possessed, would make us run ; but when we 

 continued to move quietly to the ford, they proceeded no 

 farther than our sleeping-place. Cypriano assisted us in 

 making a more satisfactory arrangement with the ferry- 

 men than parting with my blanket ; and as soon as we 

 reached the opposite bank, we were in the territory of the 

 Bangala, who are subjects of the Portuguese, and often 

 spoken of as the Cassanges or Cassantse ; and happily all 

 our difficulties with the border tribes were at an end. 



Passing with light hearts through the high grass by a 

 narrow footpath for about three miles to the west of the 

 river, we came to several neat square houses with many 

 cleanly-looking half-caste Portuguese standing in front of 

 them to salute us. They are all enrolled in the militia, 

 and our friend Cypriano is the commander of a division 

 established here. The Bangala were very troublesome 

 to the Portuguese traders, and at last proceeded so far as 

 to kill one of them ; the government of Angola then sent 

 an expedition against them, which being successful, the 

 Bangala were dispersed, and are now returning to their 

 former abodes as vassals. The militia are quartered 

 amongst them, and engage in trade and agriculture for 

 their support, as no pay is given to this branch of the 

 service by the government. 



We came to the dwelling of Cypriano after dark, and I 



g itched my little tent in front of it for the night. We 

 ad the company of mosquitoes here. We never found 

 them troublesome on the banks of the pure streams of 

 Londa. On the morning of the 5th Cypriano generously 

 supplied my men with pumpkins and maize, and then 

 invited me to breakfast, which consisted of ground-nuts 

 and roasted maize, then boiled manioc-roots and ground- 

 nuts, with guavas and honey as a dessert. I felt sincerely 

 grateful for this magnificent breakfast. 



At dinner Cypriano was equally bountiful, and several 

 of his friends joined us in doing justice to his hospitality. 

 Before eating, all had water poured on the hands by a 

 female slave to wash them. One of the guests cut up a 

 fowl with a knife and fork. Neither forks nor spoons 

 were used in eating. The repast was partaken of with 

 decency and good manners, and concluded by washing 

 the hands as at first. 



