NARRATIVE OF MEROLLA. 
133 
ly, on coming to battle, he proves not to have 
above 80,000. The troops opposed to him did 
not exceed 400 Europeans, and ^^000 negroes. 
He was soon able, by his multitude, to surround 
them ; and seeing a woman and child standing 
by the general, called out to his troops, that they 
would gain an easy victory over an army fettered 
by such encumbrances. The monarch little sus- 
pected, that the female whom he beheld was the 
Virgin Mary, whose presence secured victory to 
the Portuguese. His army, accordingly, was 
totally routed, he himself killed, and his crown 
and sceptre fell into the hands of the victors. 
In this manner the Portuguese had those ensigns 
of royalty to dispose of, which Merolla, accor- 
dingly, succeeded in procuring for the king. 
The missionary did not remain long at the capi- 
tal ; but, notwithstanding the entreaties and re- 
proaches of the king and queen, took his leave, 
and returned to the coast. The state of his health 
soon after induced him to return to Europe. 
Besides narratives of travels and adventures, 
several works have been published, which merely 
professed to give a description of Congo, and the 
neighbouring countries. The first was by Edward 
Lopez, who, after having resided for some years 
in that country, was, in 1578, sent thither in the 
character of ambassador. He did not reach his 
