BETWEEN ANGOLA AND THE ZAMBESI. 
4G9 
my hands a precious hostage, who would be responsible 
not only for my own safety but for that of the loads I 
had entrusted two days previously to the care of 
Barros, whom I informed of the circumstances by a letter 
which I left for him at the Dumbo. I quitted the 
village, which had so narrowly escaped becoming a scene 
of successful treachery and bloodshed, at 11 a.m., march¬ 
ing at the head of my strangely assorted crew, consisting 
of my ten Benguella braves, ten very doubtful cha- 
ENCA3IPMENT BETWEEN THE SAMBO AND THE BIHE. 
racters of the Sambo country, and six virgin slaves of 
the native chief of the Dumbo. The rain was falling in 
torrents ; but heedless of this inconvenience I trudged 
steadily on, anxious, as may well be supposed, to put as 
many miles as possible between myself and that inhos¬ 
pitable township. 
Four hours later, having travelled N.E., I pitched my 
camp near the village of Burundoa, completely soaked 
through and shivering with cold and fever. I declined 
the hospitality offered me by the chief of the locality, 
for not only had I been vividly impressed with the expe- 
