DIFFICULTIES OF STARTING TRADE. 467 



to some Portuguese merchants in the interior, and the 

 men had been obliged to carry it down to Loanda. They 

 had not been introduced to Mr. Gabriel, but that gentle- 

 man, having learnt that they were in the city, went to 

 them, and pronounced the names Pitsane, Mashauana, 

 when all started up and crowded round him. When 

 Mr. G. obtained an interpreter, he learned that they 

 had been ordered by Sekeletu to be sure and go to my 

 brother, as he termed him. Mr. G. behaved in the same 

 liberal manner as he had done to my companions, and 

 they departed for their distant home, after bidding him 

 a formal and affectionate adieu. 



It was to be expected that they would be imposed 

 upon in their first attempt at trading, but I believe that 

 this could not be so easily repeated. It is, however, 

 unfortunate that in dealing with the natives in the 

 interior, there is no attempt made at the establishment 

 of fair prices. The trader shows a quantity of goods, 

 the native asks for more, and more is given. The native, 

 being ignorant of the value of the goods or of his ivory, 

 tries what another demand will bring. After some 

 haggling, an addition is made, and that bargain is con- 

 cluded to the satisfaction of both parties. Another 

 trader comes, and perhaps offers more than the first ; 

 the customary demand for an addition is made, and he 

 yields. The natives by this time are beginning to believe 

 that the more they ask, the more they will get : they 

 continue to urge, the trader bursts into a rage, and the 

 trade is stopped, to be renewed next day by a higher 

 offer. The natives naturally conclude that they were 

 right the day before, and a most disagreeable commercial 

 intercourse is established. A great amount of time is 

 spent in concluding these bargains. In other parts, it is 

 quite common to see the natives going from one trader to 

 another, till they have finished the whole village ; and 

 some give presents ot brandy to tempt their custom. 

 Much of this unpleasant state of feeling between natives 

 and Europeans, results from the commencements made 

 by those who were ignorant of the language, and from 

 the want of education being given at the same time. 



During the time of our absence at Loanda, the Makololo 

 had made two forays, and captured large herds of cattle. 

 One, to the lake, was in order to punish Lechulatebe 

 for the insolence he had manifested after procuring some 



