REYS VAN ANDRIES BATTEL

Danger from crocodiles.

lay to the North of us, which we crossed with great danger because there are so many crocodiles in it that one hardly dares to approach the banks where it is deep.

River Dande.

On the
fifth day, in the evening, we arrived at the River Dande and went Eastward so far

Serras, or Mountains of Manibangano.

until we were directly opposite the Serras, being the mountains of Manibangano, named after a Lord who was at war with the King of Congo, to whom we intended to go. Here we crossed the river and rested for half a night. When we were two hours away from the river, some Negroes came toward us who asked where we wanted to go. We answered, to Congo, whereupon they said that we were not heading well, and that they were Masicongers, and that they wanted to bring us on that road to Bambe, where the Duke of Bambe resided. We then went 3 miles Eastward and inland until we finally noticed that we were on the wrong path; therefore, we turned back toward the West, but there we found armed people with bows and arrows standing before us, and ready to

Skirmish with a troop of Negroes.

shoot at us. But we decided to press on with our way, and fired 6 musket shots at them, by which 4 of them remained dead, which struck such terror in the rest that they took to flight. However, they followed us for another 4 or 5 miles and wounded 2 of our company with their arrows.

Bambe.

On the following day, we arrived on the borders of Bambe and continued our way all that day. In the late evening, we heard the roaring

They are pursued on the seventh day.

of the sea. On the seventh day, in the morning, we saw the Captain of the city of St. Paulo with some horsemen and a whole troop of Negroes pursuing us. This caused no small amount of alarm among our company, whereupon 7 of our cowardly Portuguese went to hide themselves among the bushes. I and the 4 Egyptians thought to escape it, but they came...