NARRATIVE OF MEROLLA. 
119 
of falling a sacrifice to the watery element. Some 
fishermen indeed were seen on the shore, appa- 
rently ready to assist, and only waiting to be call- 
ed upon. The missionary, however, suspecting 
that these were pagans, who by their sorceries 
might increase the fury of the tempest, shunned 
all aid from such a quarter. After infinite diffi- 
culty, he at length found himself in the channel 
of the river, when " his soul soon began to re- 
" vive." The stream resembled a crystal cause- 
way, and the shore on both sides seemed to be 
strewed with vegetable emeralds. As they rowed 
along its winding banks, they were continually 
shaded by a species of tree called Mangas {man* 
groves), which resembled the royal laurel, and 
whose branches falling down, and striking root, 
spread so wide, as soon to convert one tree into 
a species of little wood. 
The missionaries landed at Pinda, about twelve 
miles up the river, but finding the air unhealthy, 
they removed to Sogno, where the prince, whom 
they call count, resided. Next Sunday, the count 
having come to church in great pomp, MeroUa ce- 
lebrated mass, and delivered a short sermon. The 
text was, " Thou shalt not kill and as, of course, 
the word Mil fi'equently occurred, there always 
arose on that occasion a peculiar hum through 
the congregation, which became louder and louder 
every time that the critical word was pronounced. 
