66 
MOSAMBIQUE. 
Portuguese^ who within a few years visited the country, and 
the remainder is derived from information given me by the mer- 
chants at Mosambique, which, from its general agreement with 
the geographical information contained in a valuable map* com- 
posed from the best authorities by Mons. D' Anville, may I think, 
in a great degree, be depended upon for its accuracy. 
From the Island of Mosambique a vessel in favourable wea- 
ther may sail along the coast to the port of Quilimanci, at the 
mouth of the Zambezi, in three or four days. This port is dan- 
gerous to approach without a pilot, as it can be entered only at 
high tide, during the setting in of the sea-breeze, on account of 
two sand banks, in front of the anchorage, which form a double 
bar and renderthe navigation extremely hazardous. The anchorage 
lies in front of the small town ofQuilimanci, which is situated on 
the main land a few miles up the northern bank of the river, where 
there is a depot for merchandize and a small Portuguese garrison 
stationed. Here the vessels transfer their cargoes to pinnaces, 
and boats called pangayes, on account of the river beiug navi- 
gable only for vessels of a light draoght. 
After sailing up the river about five leagues, the water becomes 
fresh and the current rapid ; alligators of a large size are fre- 
quently met with, and the sea-horse is found within the limits of 
the salt water. At the distance of thirty leagues from its mouth, 
the river widens considerably, and; another branch strikes oiF more 
to the southward called Liiabo, which is at present little frequented 
on account of the difficulties of its navigation. This branch is 
* This map is to be found in the French Edition of Jerome Lobo's Travels, and it is fa ; 
j^pperior to any other I have seen of the sanje tract of country. 
