on the Countries of Congo and Loango. 329 
ing to anchor near Oyster Haven 5 we discovered Four people 
upon Hope Island, and being desirous of a conference, I sent 
the mate and four men in a small boat, provided with trinkets, 
to distribute amongst them. The natives, as we could perceive 
from the ship with our glasses, awaited unmoved, the approach 
of the boat, until the sail was furled and exchanged for the oars ; 
then, with great precipitation, they took a canoe upon their 
shoulders, and carrying it across the island, launched it, and 
paddled in the utmost haste to Maccatala. The following day 
at noon, a canoe being observed hovering along the north shore, 
I proceeded towards it in the small boat, but as we approached, 
it slowly retreated to the entrance of a small creek. Our pacific 
appearance at length induced it to wait for us. A man stood 
on the prow, speaking vociferously, and with much gesticulation. 
This was Boonzie himself. — He made a long harangue, in which 
he took care to make himself known ; and concluded by saying, 
that if I offered him any injury, Enzambi Empoongu would 
punish me. A present of beads, cloth, and brandy, dispelled 
his fears, and in return, he gave me a fine goat, and a bunch of 
plantains ; and requested that his son, Chimpola, might accom- 
pany me on board. 
Maccatala abounds in beautiful and magnificent sylvan 
scenery, and is altogether a happy rural scene of various 
view.” The villages are built in the open cultivated spaces, 
with which the woods are interspersed ; and are surrounded by 
plantations of cassava, Indian corn, plantains, peas, tobacco, &c. 
. In one of these pleasing solitudes, resides Chinganga Boonzie, 
an inferior member of the priesthood. 
Ordeal Trial . — ^When any one is falsely accused of an atro- 
cious crime, he can only prove his innocence by passing, unharm- 
ed, the ordeal trial of Cassah. This consists in swallowing a 
certain quantity of the cassah, which is administered by a person 
called Granga Emcassah. Upon a day appointed, the accused 
makes his appearance, and on demanding to drink the cassah, 
the Ganga administers it in presence of a great concourse of 
people, who, arranging themselves in a circle around him, await 
with eagerness the effect of the poison. If it causes great sick- 
ness and stupefaction, he is pronounced guilty ; but if it does 
not, or if it produces vomiting, he is immediately declared in no- 
