BAY OF SOFALA. 
17 
performed other strange antics, pretty obviously with the view 
of forbidding our approach ; at the same time jabbering most 
vociferously in their native jargon, and making motions to us to 
be gone. We repeatedly questioned them where Sofala lay ? but 
could get no intelligible answer. While this was passing, two of 
these natives boldly walked down to their canoes (which were 
within close pistol-shot), and took out their war-caps, and other 
ornaments, with which they equipped themselves. They after- 
wards, to exhibit their skill, shot their arrows sideways along the 
beach as at a mark, making the whole time a variety of curious 
gestures. 
Finding it useless to wait longer, we departed ; but first gave 
them three cheers, and fired a pistol in the air, to see what effect 
it would have on their courage. This only redoubled their 
savage merriment ; they shouted in return, jumped and skipped 
about and ran madly along the beach, expressing a kind of admi- 
ration, rather than dread, of our fire-arms. Much as we regretted 
our not being able to communicate with these natives, yet con- 
sidering their vicinity to the Portuguese, I could not be surprised 
at their behaviour ; nay, I was rather pleased to witness their 
warlike spirit, and to see how ready and able they were to defend 
themselves against the attacks of slave-dealers, with whom they 
have had but too much intercourse, and for whom, there is every 
reason to think, we were mistaken. 
From the little we saw of these people, I should suppose 
them, from their stature, colour, habits and language, to 
be nearly allied to the Kaffers, a large party of whom I had 
seen a short time before at the Cape, and I consider both 
