PRESENTS FOR SEKElvETU. 37 1 



soldiers sent out are convicts, and, contrary to what 

 might be expected from men in their position, behave 

 remarkably well. A few riots have occurred, but nothing 

 at all so serious as have taken place in our own penal 

 settlements. It is a remarkable fact that the whole of 

 the arms of Loanda are every night in the hands of those 

 who have been convicts. Various reasons for this mild 

 behaviour are assigned by the officers, but none of these, 

 when viewed in connection with our own experience in 

 Australia, appear to be valid. Religion seems to have no 

 connexion with the change. Perhaps the climate may 

 have some influence in subduing their turbulent disposition, 

 for the inhabitants generally are a timid race ; they are 

 not at all so brave as our Caflres. The people of Ambriz 

 ran away like a flock of sheep, and allowed the Portuguese 

 to take possession of their copper-mines and country, 

 without striking a blow. It we must have convict settle- 

 ments, attention to the climate might be of advantage in 

 the selection. Here even bulls are much tamer than with 

 us. I never met with a ferocious one in this country, and 

 the Portuguese use them generally for riding ; an ox is 

 seldom seen. 



The objects which I had in view in opening up the 

 country, as stated in a few notes of my journey, published 

 in the newspapers of Angola, so commended themselves 

 to the general government and merchants of Loanda, 

 that, at the instance of his Excellency the .Bishop, a 

 handsome present for Sekeletu w~as granted by the Board 

 of Public Works (Junta da Fazenda Publica). It con- 

 sisted of a colonel's uniform and a horse for the chief, 

 and suits of clothing for all the men who accompanied 

 me. The merchants also made a present, by public 

 subscription, of handsome specimens of all their articles 

 of trade, and two donkeys, for the purpose of introducing 

 the breed into his country, as tsetse cannot kill this beast 

 of burden. These presents were accompanied by letters 

 from the Bishop and merchants ; and I was kindly 

 favoured with letters of recommendation to the Portu- 

 guese authorities in Eastern Africa. 



I took with me a good stock of cotton-cloth, fresh 

 supplies of ammunition and beads, and gave each of my 

 men a musket. As my companions had amassed con- 

 siderable quantities of goods, they were unable to carry 

 mine, but the bishop furnished me with twenty carriers.. 



