31st of May, I was laboring under great depression of spirits,
as I understood that, in a population of twelve thousand souls,
there was but one genuine English gentleman. I naturally felt anxious to know
whether he were possessed of good-nature, or was one of those crusty mortals
one would rather not meet at all.
This gentleman, Mr. Gabriel, our commissioner for the suppression
of the slave-trade, had kindly forwarded an invitation to meet me
on the way from Cassange, but, unfortunately, it crossed me on the road.
When we entered his porch, I was delighted to see a number of flowers
cultivated carefully, and inferred from this circumstance that he was,
what I soon discovered him to be, a real whole-hearted Englishman.
Seeing me ill, he benevolently offered me his bed. Never shall I forget
the luxurious pleasure I enjoyed in feeling myself again
on a good English couch, after six months' sleeping on the ground.
I was soon asleep; and Mr. Gabriel, coming in almost immediately,
rejoiced at the soundness of my repose.
Chapter 20.
Continued Sickness - Kindness of the Bishop of Angola
and her Majesty's Officers - Mr. Gabriel's unwearied Hospitality -
Serious Deportment of the Makololo - They visit Ships of War -
Politeness of the Officers and Men - The Makololo attend Mass
in the Cathedral - Their Remarks - Find Employment
in collecting Firewood and unloading Coal - Their superior Judgment
respecting Goods - Beneficial Influence of the Bishop of Angola -
The City of St. Paul de Loanda - The Harbor - Custom-house -
No English Merchants - Sincerity of the Portuguese Government
in suppressing the Slave-trade - Convict Soldiers -
Presents from Bishop and Merchants for Sekeletu - Outfit - Leave Loanda
20th September, 1854 - Accompanied by Mr. Gabriel as far as Icollo i Bengo
- Sugar Manufactory - Geology of this part of the Country -
Women spinning Cotton - Its Price - Native Weavers - Market-places -
Cazengo; its Coffee Plantations - South American Trees -
Ruins of Iron Foundry - Native Miners - The Banks of the Lucalla -
Cottages with Stages - Tobacco-plants - Town of Massangano -
Sugar and Rice - Superior District for Cotton - Portuguese Merchants
and foreign Enterprise - Ruins - The Fort and its ancient Guns -
Former Importance of Massangano - Fires - The Tribe Kisama -
Peculiar Variety of Domestic Fowl - Coffee Plantations -
Return to Golungo Alto - Self-complacency of the Makololo -
Fever - Jaundice - Insanity.
In the hope that a short enjoyment of Mr. Gabriel's generous hospitality
would restore me to my wonted vigor, I continued under his roof;
but my complaint having been caused by long exposure to malarious influences,
I became much more reduced than ever, even while enjoying rest.
Several Portuguese gentlemen called on me shortly after my arrival;
and the Bishop of Angola, the Right Reverend Joaquim Moreira Reis,
then the acting governor of the province, sent his secretary to do the same,
and likewise to offer the services of the government physician.
