d in collecting
specimens of cotton, and upwards of three hundred pounds were thus
obtained, at a price of less than a penny a pound, which showed that
cotton of a superior quality could be raised by native labour alone, and
that but for the slave trade a large amount might be raised in the
country.

Wherever they went they gained the confidence of the people, and
hitherto the expedition had been eminently successful. No sooner,
however, did they come in contact with the Portuguese slave trade than
sad reverses commenced. Marauding parties of the Ajawa were desolating
the land, and a gang had crossed the river with slaves. Manjanga had
gone away just before they got the ship up to Chibisa; but his deputy
was civil, and supplied them with carriers to convey the bishop's goods
up the country.

They halted at the village of their old friend, Mpende, who supplied
them with carriers, and informed them that a slave party on its way to
Tete would soon pass through his village. They consulted together.
Should they liberate the slaves? By a bold stroke they might possibly
put a stop to the slave trade, which had followed in their footsteps. A
few minutes afterwards a slave party, consisting of a long line of
manacled men, women, and children, escorted by black drivers armed with
muskets, adorned with articles of finery, and blowing horns, marched by
them with a triumphant air. Directly, however, the rascals caught sight
of the English, they darted off into the forest, with the exception of
the leader, who was seized by the Makololo. He proved to be a slave of
the late commandant of Tete, and was well-known to them. He declared
that he had bought the slaves; but directly his hands were released he
darted off. The captives now, kneeling down, expressed their thanks by
clapping their hands. Knives were soon busily at work setting free the
women and children. It was more difficult to liberate the men, who had
each his neck in the fork of a stout stick, six or seven feet long, and
kept in by an iron rod riveted at both ends across the throat. A saw,
produced from the bishop's baggage, performed the work. The men could
scarcely believe what was said, when they were told to take the meal
they were carrying and cook breakfast for themselves and children. Many
of the latter were about five years of age and under. One of them
observed to the men: "Those others tied and starved us; you cut the
ropes, and tell us to eat!