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131 



possible understanding existed between themselves and the natives, 

 and they distributed presents to the chiefs, for which the latter ex- 

 pressed many thanks. 



Shortly after leaving Coronganga, they passed the town of Na- 

 cundi, containing about six hundred inhabitants. The scenery here 

 was beautiful, being embellished by many clumps of noble trees, 

 resembling our oaks in their wide-spreading branches, covered with 

 vines, and interspersed with ferns and tall graceful palms. The 

 banks were here twelve feet high, and steep. From appearance the 

 country is thickly populated, notwithstanding the destructive wars 

 which have been waged with the people of Ambau. All the inha- 

 bitants were observed to be clustered in the villages, for the purpose 

 of mutual protection ; and the same reason causes them to choose as 

 their sites for building, either some inaccessible point, or a place that 

 affords facility for fortification. 



Five miles above Coronganga, the country changes its character; 

 the river passes by cliffs of sandstone five hundred feet in height, 



