NARRATIVE OF MEROLLA* 
131 
him over from the island to the southern shore of 
the Congo. 
Merolla now proceeded by land to the capital ; 
but the weak state of his health made the journey 
laborious. On the second day he came to Norchie, 
which appeared to him the finest situation he had 
seen in Ethiopia. The inhabitants also came in 
crowds to be baptized ; so that space being want- 
ing in the house, the Mani invited him to go to 
the church. Delighted to hear that there was a 
church, he immediately repaired thither. The 
aspect of the door had something which did not 
altogether delight the eye of Merolla ; but when 
this door was thrown open, a spectacle presented 
itself, which made his hair stand on end. Instead 
of an altar, was a heap of sand, in which horns of 
different sizes were stuck ; while on one side hung 
two coarse aprons, similar to those observed at the 
scene of the magic invocation. The sight of these 
objects excited such outcries from the missionary, 
that the Mani and all his train took to flight with 
the utmost expedition. His first impulse was to 
set fire to the edifice ; but considering that the 
whole town would probably be consumed in con- 
sequence, and that he might thus draw upon him- 
self the vengeance of the inhabitants, he content- 
ed himself with following and loading them with 
the bitterest reproaches, adding, that not one 
should be baptized till they had overthrown the 
