REYS VAN ANDRIES BATTEL

II. Section.

Afterward to Longo.

What trade he carried on there.

Afterward, I was sent to Longo, which lies 15 miles North of the River Zaire. I took with me what was most sought after there, such as elongated and round blue beads, as well as seed beads, mirrors, blue and red coarse cloths, and Irish blankets implied by "Yrse Dekens", which were highly valued here and sold dearly; for we received 3 elephant teeth weighing 120 pounds for an ell a unit of measurement of about 45 inches of that cloth. We also bought many palm cloths and elephant tails, so that in a short time we loaded our pinnace. This expedition and trade pleased the Governor very much, so that he promised to give me my freedom if I would serve him. With this sailing on the coast, 2 and a half years passed.

Tried to get away with a Dutch ship, but is overtaken.

Shackled.

And banished to Massangano.

Plan to escape.

At that time, a ship from Holland arrived here. The merchant on it promised to take me secretly, but when they were on the point of departure and I had hidden myself in the ship, I was betrayed by Portuguese who were on the ship and was brought to land by the sergeants of the city. Here I was immediately thrown into prison, where I lay shackled for 2 months with heavy iron bolts, and expected nothing but death. But finally, I was banished for the rest of my life to the Fort of Massangano to serve in those conquests. Here I lived very miserably for 6 years without any hope of seeing the sea again. In this fort were Egyptians and Moors who were likewise banished here as I was. To one of them I opened my heart and said it was better to risk our lives for our freedom than to remain longer in these