THE BAROTSE COUNTRY. 
531 
dearth of such products for some time past, owing to the 
absence of Benguella traders, nor did he conceal from 
me that, among other articles, he was absolutely without 
powder. To this I replied that they would come fast 
enough if they saw a chance of doing good business, and 
that I could assure him the Mueneputo was willing to 
protect any trade between the two countries, if he, on his 
part, would engage to forbid, in his States the purchase 
and sale of slaves. I did not disguise from him the want 
of resources under which I was labouring, and, whilst 
urging upon him the desirability and advantage of throw¬ 
ing open the Zumbo road, I promised that, if lie aided me 
in my enterprise, I would procure for him from Tete, in 
the shortest possible time, all the powder and other things 
he required. 
Gambella, an intelligent man and acute diplomat (for 
such are not wanting among the blacks), tried more 
than once to catch me tripping ; but I would not 
travel out of the road of facts and logic, and he apparently 
gave in. After much discussion, it was decided that 
King Lobossi should send a deputation to Benguella, I 
supplying it with a man in whom I could place confidence, 
with letters for the Governor and for Silva Porto, and 
that, in return, he should give me the people I wanted to 
accompany me to the Zumbo. It was one in the morning 
when I retired, and, in spite of my mistrust of negroes, I 
freely confess that I went away satisfied. The whole of 
that day I was busily engaged, and at night-time, when I 
lay down, I had a severe attack of fever. 
I rose next morning very ill, and despatched some 
Quimbundos and Quimbares to a spot rather more than 
a quarter of a mile to the S. of Lialui, with orders to 
construct an encampment, for which I had procured the 
King’s authorisation. At 10 I went to pay a visit to 
Lobossi, whom I found in a large circular house, sur¬ 
rounded by people, and having before him six enormous 
pans of capata. My own followers, Augusto, Yerissimo 
and Caiumbuca, and the King’s attendants, were very 
soon in a helpless state of drunkenness; and as I could 
do nothing to stop it, I returned to my own house, and 
2 M 2 
