BETWEEN ANGOLA AND THE ZAMBESI. 
473 
a loud voice commanded Augusto and Manuel to hang 
him up to the projecting branch of an acacia which con¬ 
veniently presented itself for the purpose. Seeing by 
the rope put about his neck that the order was being 
most undoubtedly carried out, the fellow exclaimed : 
“Dont kill me, don’t kill me; the carriers shall go 
across the Cubango ! ” at the same time he gave vent to 
a loud halloa which brought back the men, who were 
already at some little distance. When they were re¬ 
assembled he gave the word for them to take up their 
loads and follow him, a command which they obeyed 
the packages that were spread upon the ground was a 
tall, thin figure of a man, with a face as immovable as 
if cut out of stone, and with a long gun lying across his 
knees. It was the petty chief Palanca, who had accom¬ 
panied me from the Dumbo, and whose existence I had 
almost forgotten. Now or never was the time I could 
make him useful. Making a spring upon him, I dis¬ 
armed and threw him to the ground. Calling to my 
men, I ordered them to bind him hand and foot, and in 
CASSANHA BRIDGE OYER THE RIVER CrBANGO. 
