36 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [E. Coast of Africa. 



monly lay about 2 miles up, where they have good depth of water* and are 

 secure from all winds. The natives are Cafires, apparently harmless and 

 good-natured, but cunning, and ask treble the price of their goods. They 

 are great beggars, particularly on the N. side. Higher up the river, the 

 natives are more dangerous than in the bay, and caution must be used 

 whilst trading with them. 



Thane. — A considerable trade was formerly carried on at the rivers 

 for elephants' teeth and gold dust, which has decayed. The Portuguese 

 send here a ship occasionally from Mozambique, and the Parsees of Malabar 

 have sent some small vessels freighted with beads, buttons, cutlery, piece 

 goods. Sec. The returns are principally elephants' teeth, (which the natives 

 set a high price .upon), ambergris, gold dust, and hippopotamus' teeth, 

 which may be purchased cheap. Coarse blue cloth is the kind of piece-goods 

 most esteemed here. 



PaovisiONs and Rei-iibshments are plentiful and reasonable. A kind 

 of master-attendant, called king of the water, informs the chief of the 

 arrival of a ship ; and no bullock can be purchased till he comes down to 

 the landing-place, and receives a present of old clothes and liquor. He 

 returns a bullock, after which supplies are obtained daily. The master- 

 attendant remains on board ship as long as you please, and will accompany 

 any officer on shore to trade. The beef is very good. A bullock of 3 or 4 

 Cwt may be purchased for a piece of coarse Surat piece-goods ; a fowl for 

 an iron hoop, or two metal buttons ; vegetables and fruit for old clothes, 

 empty bottles, &c. Turtle is met with. Fire-wood and water are easily 

 procured. Excellent fish abounds in the bays and rivers, and which the 

 natives sell for a mere trifle. 



From Delagoa Bay to Cape Corientes, in latitude 24° Y S., longitude 

 35° 51 R, the coast is seldom visited by Europeans, and little known. 



INHAMBAN BAY and RIVER. — The E. extremity of the bay is 

 5 leagues to the N. of Cape Corientes ; 3 miles to the W. of which is the 

 entrance of the river, in latitude 23° 47 J S., longitude 35 52 E. ; but on 

 account of the numerous shoals in the bay, it is frequented by small vessels 

 only. The town is about 8 miles from the entrance of the river. A Portu- 

 guese Resident is here ; but the trade is inconsiderable, consisting of gold 

 dust, ivory, &c. 



SO FA LA. — This town is situated up a river, (on its N. side), naviga- 

 ble by small vessels only, having a bar at the entrance, with only 12 or 14 

 feet on it at low water. The fort is on a point of land, insulated at high 

 water, in latitude 20° 15 S., longitude 34" 45 E., 4 miles from which is 

 the anchorage, in 5 fathoms, the flag-staff bearing N. 33° W. Ships should 



