134 DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 
Andrew Battel, touched upon the coast of Beii- 
guela, for the sake of procuring slaves. Near the 
Morro or Cliff, they saw on the coast a great 
body of men assembled, and being curious to know 
who they were, went on shore in their boat. 
About five hundred .of the party came up, and in- 
formed them that they were the Gagas (commonly 
called Giagas), who had come from the Sierra de 
Leone, through Congo and Angola, and that they 
were ready to trade with them for slaves. In the 
course of seven days the Portuguese laded their ships 
with that commodity, paying a rial for one, which, 
elsewhere, would have cost twelve milreas. So ex- 
cellent a bargain seems to have subverted all moral 
and humane feelings in this crew. They readily 
agreed to ferry the Giaga army over the river Co- 
il a, for the avowed purpose of carrying fire and 
desolation into the territory of Benguela. Before 
crossing, the general caused his Gongo to be sound- 
ed, and made an oration, so full of courage and 
vehemence, as our author marvelled much to hear, 
" among such heathen people." Animated by 
this speech, the Giagas rushed to the river with 
such impetuosity, that it was necessary to employ 
force in order to preserve order. The Portuguese 
ferried them over by eighty at a time, and covered 
their landing by a discharge of fire arms. The 
Benguelas, less warlike, were completely routed, — 
their prince slain, — many taken prisoners, — and 
