MISSION TO MAOPONGO. 
103 
On the top of these rocks, and along their base, 
are situated thirty-two villages, the inhabitants of 
which subsist entirely on the spontaneous produce 
of the earth. The trees grow to an extraordinary 
height ; all the fruits of Africa are reared in per- 
fection ; the oranges, in particular, are equal to 
any in the world. Their religion was derived 
from the impious sect of the Giagas. In 1655, 
two missionaries were sent from Massangano to 
convert the inhabitants of this rock-district. On 
coming to the foot of it, they were first admitted 
by what was called the gate, consisting of a long 
and narrow pass, through which they, with diffi- 
culty, made their way, by creeping on all-fours* 
They then came into one of the ravines, a com- 
plete labyrinth of rocks and bushes, through 
which, without a guide, it would have been alto- 
gether impossible to penetrate. The guides led 
them to the foot of a lofty rock, which, to their 
eyes, appeared altogether inaccessible. Their 
negroes, however, sprung up like goats ; but the 
fathers, in attempting to imitate this agility, were 
soon compelled to call aloud for help. The 
negroes returned, took them on their shoulders, 
and leapt with them from rock to rock, till they 
arrived at the palace of the king, Angola Aarij. 
That monarch took them in his arms, embraced 
them, and assured them of every aid which he 
could afford to their efforts to diffuse the Chris- 
