100 
DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 
having exhausted in vain every form of entreaty, 
at length indignantly declared, that, since his 
funeral was not to be Christian, it should be 
according to his native rites. These consisted, 
besides a number of superstitious ceremonies, in 
the selection of a number, suited to his rank, of 
human beings to be interred along with him. 
The victims being chosen, were led, in barbarous 
procession, into the depth of a neighbouring forest, 
where the tombo, or vast pit, had been prepared. 
On learning this disastrous news, the missionary 
formed at once a bold and generous resolution. 
He hastened to the spot, and at the moment when 
the fatal ceremony was about to begin, suddenly 
appeared, raising the sign of the cross. The mul- 
titude gave way, and allowed him to approach the 
queen, who was standing under a portico. On 
discovering him, she instantly prostrated herself 
on the ground, and burst into tears. She allowed 
the missionary to remonstrate on the crime she 
was about to commit, set the victims at liberty, 
and solemnly promised never more to permit the 
celebration of so inhuman a ceremony. 
The court of the queen is described to be as 
numerous as that of any of the sovereigns of 
Europe. Rank was conferred solely by office, 
birth being regarded as nothing ; the only dis- 
tinction was that of sovereign and slave. The 
moment any man lost her favour, he fell at once 
