THE BABOTSE COUNTRY. 
553 
in ignorance of my knowledge of their treason ; and 
next morning, as I rose from my uneasy couch, I found 
myself muttering the old proverb, “ Forewarned is fore¬ 
armed.” 
Gambella was an early visitor, and though his 
manner was most amiable, and his uttered words were 
those of sympathy and friendship, his very presence 
hinted to me of danger, and made me feel that the 
sword of Damocles still remained suspended above my 
head. Later in the day, I delivered to him the letters 
for the Governor of Benguella, and saw the deputation 
of the King of the Lui, commanded by three Luina 
chiefs and guided by old Antonio of Pungo Andongo, 
take its departure for the coast. With it went the 
Bihenos, who had abandoned my service in the manner 
recorded. I felt satisfied, at least, with this first result 
obtained; and if my labours were lost, and I did 
nothing more, the having brought so powerful a people 
into close relation with the European civilization of the 
coast was an important result of my journey.* 
The revelation made me that night by Mariana 
greatly preoccupied my mind, and every thought was 
directed to discover a means of parrying the blow which 
had been dealt me by the treason of those in whom I 
most trusted. I concocted a plan which I decided upon 
putting into execution that very day. 
The narration of the many and serious events which 
affected me personally, and that followed so quickly on 
the heels of each other since my arrival in the Lui, 
must not make me forget to speak of the people and 
the customs that distinguish them. Instead of meet¬ 
ing there the strong and vigorous race created by 
* This Luina expedition, set on foot by me, duly arrived at Benguella, 
where it was very well received by the Governor, Pereira de Mello, and 
by the trading body of the city, more especially by Silva Porto, who used 
all his eiforts to induce traders to return and organize business journeys. 
This attempt of mine, to which some importance was attached in Ben¬ 
guella, passed almost unnoticed at headquarters. And yet, if it be 
important that Europeans should carry trade into the countries of the 
interior, it is still more important, both for commerce and for civilization, 
so to contrive that the natives shall flock to the factories on the coast, 
and there carry on legitimate business. 
