It was to be expected that they would be imposed upon in their first attempt at trading, but I believe that this could not be so easily repeated.  It is, however, unfortunate that in dealing with the natives in the interior there is no attempt made at the establishment of fair prices.  The trader shows a quantity of goods, the native asks for more, and more is given.  The native, being ignorant of the value of the goods or of his ivory, tries what another demand will bring.  After some haggling, an addition is made, and that bargain is concluded to the satisfaction of both parties.  Another trader comes, and perhaps offers more than the first; the customary demand for an addition is made, and he yields.  The natives by this time are beginning to believe that the more they ask the more they will get:  they continue to urge, the trader bursts into a rage, and the trade is stopped, to be renewed next day by a higher offer.  The natives naturally conclude that they were right the day before, and a most disagreeable commercial intercourse is established.  A great amount of time is spent in concluding these bargains.  In other parts, it is quite common to see the natives going from one trader to another till they have finished the whole village; and some give presents of brandy to tempt their custom.  Much of this unpleasant state of feeling between natives and Europeans results from the commencements made by those who were ignorant of the language, and from the want of education being given at the same time.

During the time of our absence at Loanda, the Makololo had made two forays, and captured large herds of cattle.  One, to the lake, was in order to punish Lechulatebe for the insolence he had manifested after procuring some fire-arms; and the other to Sebola Makwaia, a chief living far to the N.E.  This was most unjustifiable, and had been condemned by all the influential Makololo.  Ben Habib, however, had, in coming from Zanzibar, visited Sebola Makwaia, and found that the chief town was governed by an old woman of that name.  She received him kindly, and gave him a large quantity of magnificent ivory, sufficient to set him up as a trader, at a very small cost; but, his party having discharged their guns, Ben Habib observed that the female chief and her people were extremely alarmed, and would have fled and left their cattle in a panic, had he not calmed their fears.  Ben Habib informed the uncle of Sekeletu that he could easily guide him thither, and he might get a large number of cattle without any difficulty.  This uncle advised Sekeletu to go; and, as the only greatness he knew was imitation of his father’s deeds, he went, but was not so successful as was anticipated.  Sebola Makwaia had fled on hearing of the approach of the Makololo; and, as the country is marshy and intersected in every direction by rivers, they could not easily pursue her.  They captured canoes, and, pursuing up different streams, came to a small lake called “Shuia”.