CHAPTER 21.
Visit a deserted Convent--Favorable Report of Jesuits and their Teaching -- Gradations of native Society--Punishment of Thieves--Palm-toddy; its baneful Effects--Freemasons--Marriages and Funerals--Litigation--Mr.
Canto's Illness--Bad Behavior of his Slaves--An Entertainment--Ideas on Free Labor--Loss of American Cotton-seed--Abundance of Cotton in the country--Sickness of Sekeletu's Horse--Eclipse of the Sun--Insects which distill Water--Experiments with them--Proceed to Ambaca--Sickly Season--Office of Commandant--Punishment of official Delinquents-- Present from Mr.Schut of Loanda--Visit Pungo Andongo--Its good Pasturage, Grain, Fruit, etc .-- The Fort and columnar Rocks--The Queen of Jinga--Salubrity of Pungo Andongo--Price of a Slave--A Merchant-prince--His Hospitality--Hear of the Loss of my Papers in "Forerunner"-- Narrow Escape from an Alligator--Ancient Burial-places--Neglect of Agriculture in Angola--Manioc the staple Product--Its Cheapness--Sickness--Friendly Visit from a colored Priest--The Prince of Congo--No Priests in the Interior of Angola.
While waiting for the recovery of my men, I visited, in company with my friend Mr.Canto, the deserted convent of St.Hilarion, at Bango, a few miles northwest of Golungo Alto.

It is situated in a magnificent valley, containing a population numbering 4000 hearths.

This is the abode of the Sova, or Chief Bango, who still holds a place of authority under the Portuguese.

The garden of the convent, the church, and dormitories of the brethren are still kept in a good state of repair.

I looked at the furniture, couches, and large chests for holding the provisions of the brotherhood with interest, and would fain have learned something of the former occupants; but all the books and sacred vessels had lately been removed to Loanda, and even the graves of the good men stand without any record: their resting-places are, however, carefully tended.