THE BISAGOS — THE PAPELS. 
341 
form the garments of their women. The muscular strength 
of arm, the harshness of features, and the quick movements 
of the Bisagos, prove that these people are fit for combat. 
In a canoe, the fragility of w^hich renders it every moment 
liable to be swallowed up, they brave the dangers of a sea 
voyage. Rice, palm-oil, and all the American fruits abound 
in the Bisagos ; tobacco and brandy are the only objects of 
barter by which they are tempted. Zealous friends of the 
Portuguese, they bear an implacable hatred against other 
European nations ; they one day seized an Englishman who 
had gone among them to purchase provisions, and immedi- 
ately kindled a large fire in a hut, thinking that they might 
blacken him with the smoke, and thus be able to sell him for 
a slave. They would infallibly have put an end to his life, 
had not the Portuguese, learning the perilous situation of 
this unfortunate man, ransomed him by presents. 
The territory of the Papels extends from the river Geba 
to that of Cachéo which also belongs to the Portuguese. 
These people are brave like the Bisagos ; they want no other 
weapon than a very long sabre, which they use with great 
dexterity to face their enemies, even though the latter are pro- 
vided with fire-arms. Large herds of oxen constitute the 
chief wealth of the Papels ; they fatten these animals with 
rice straw, which grain abounds in their country ; the Papels 
are all Pagans. Opposite to Bissao is a small island, denomi- 
nated in the French maps lie Sorcière, which they visit for 
