DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. I%f 
behind which stood the wizard, " to pronounce 
" the fallacious oracles of the prince of darkness.** 
The missionary having armed himself with the sign 
of the cross, was preparing to enter, but heard so 
loud a murmur among the crowd at this attempt 
to intrude into their ff hellish tabernacle," that he 
deemed it prudent to retire. 
The houses are built of reeds, and are such mi- 
serable huts, that they appeared to our author only 
fit to receive the insects with which the country 
abounds. The palace and governor's house, how- 
ever, though built of the same materials, contained 
several handsome rooms, and the walls were hung 
with mats, made of a delicate kind of ozier ; and 
two brass guns, obtained from Europeans in ex- 
change for ivory and slaves, were mounted upon it. 
It appeared ridiculous to our author, that houses 
built of " straw, stakes, and oziers," should be de- 
fended by brass guns. Merolla was invited to visit 
the king ; but understanding that he wore en- 
chanted bracelets, and other magic charms on dif- 
ferent parts of his person, he declined the honour. 
As Merolla was on his way to the northward, he 
received a message from the king of Congo, ear- 
nestly entreating a visit, as many years had elapsed, 
since a Capuchin friar had been within his do- 
minions. Such an invitation, from the most power- 
ful monarch of that part of Africa, was not to 
be rejected. Our traveller, therefore, determined 
