96 DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 
Here the natives shewed the usual readiness, and 
even zeal, to be baptized, and to adopt the outward 
forms of Christianity. To meet these good dis- 
positions, such toil was required, that the mission- 
aries were all seized with the inflammatory fever 
peculiar to the country. The danger of the disease, 
though great, was much less than that which arose 
from the mode of curing it. The principle upon 
which the faculty in Congo proceeded was, that, 
before the constitution could be fitted to endure 
the change of climate, every drop of European blood 
must be drained, and its place supplied by African 
blood. They conceived it impossible, therefore, 
to go too far, so long as the patient did not ac- 
tually die under the operation. This treatment 
was accompanied with purgatives similar to those 
which in Europe are administered to horses. Such, 
however, was the strength of their constitution, that, 
after four months illness, they all recovered. They 
proceeded then to the court of Zingha, having been 
previously assured of a cordial welcome. At the 
distance of two miles, the principal officers met, 
and conducted them to the spot, where the queen, 
surrounded by her guards and all her attendants, was 
stationed on the top of a little eminence. On see- 
ing them, she instantly fell prostrate on the ground, 
and, bathed in tears, bade them welcome. She then 
rose, took the father by the hand, and overwhelm- 
ed him with thanks. They soon reached the throne, 
