136 DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 
five hundred of the party came up, and informed 
them that they were the Gagas (commonly called 
Giagas), who had come from the Sierra de Leone, 
through Congo and Angola, and that they were 
ready to trade with them for slaves. In the course 
of seven days the Portuguese laded their ships 
with that commodity, paying a rial for one which, 
elsewhere, would have cost twelve milreas. So 
excellent a bargain seems to have subverted all 
moral and humane feelings in this crew. They 
readily agreed to ferry the Giaga army over the 
river Cona, for the avowed purpose of carrying 
fire and desolation into the territory of Benguela. 
Before crossing, the general caused his Gongo to 
be sounded, and made an oration, so full of cou* 
rage and vehemence, as our author marvelled 
much to hear, " among such heathen people." 
Animated by this speech, the Giagas rushed to 
the river with such impetuosity, that it was ne- 
cessary to employ force in order to preserve or- 
der. The Portuguese ferried them over by eighty 
at a time, and covered their landing by a dis- 
charge of fire arms. The Benguelas, less war- 
like, were completely routed, — their prince slain, 
— many taken prisoners, — and the dead bodies 
devoured. The Giagas continued for five months 
to ravage Benguela, during which time the Por- 
tuguese repeatedly came back to drive a trade 
equally profitable as at first. In their last voy- 
