DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 99 
indignantly declared, that, since his funeral was not 
to be Christian, it should be according to his na- 
tive rites. These consisted, besides a number of 
superstitious ceremonies, in the selection of a num- 
ber, suited to his rank, of human beings to be in- 
terred along with him. The victims being chosen, 
were led, in barbarous procession, into the depth of 
a neighbouring forest, where the to??ibo, or vast pit, 
had been prepared. On learning this disastrous 
news, the missionary formed at once a bold and 
generous resolution. He hastened to the spot, and 
at the moment when the fatal ceremony was about 
to begin, suddenly appeared, raising the sign of 
the cross. The multitude gave way, and allow- 
ed him to approach the queen, who was standing 
under a portico. On discovering him, she instant- 
ly prostrated herself on the ground, and burst into 
tears. She allowed the missionary to remonstrate 
on the crime she was about to commit, set the vic- 
tims at liberty, and solemnly promised never more 
to permit the celebration of so inhuman a cere- 
mony. 
The court of the queen is described to be as 
numerous as that of any of the sovereigns of Eu- 
rope. Rank was conferred solely by office, birth 
being regarded as nothing ; the only distinction 
was that of sovereign and slave. The moment 
any man lost her favour, he fell at once into the 
mass of the people. Merit, of that barbarous kind, 
