STORY OF BULBOPHYLLUM BARBIGERUM 257 



' Go to the Hun-to at least, sir — and to Mr. Martinez ! 

 Don't leave me helpless to these devils ! ' 



' I'll do all I can for you, but it's worse than useless my 

 stopping here.' 



Perhaps it is necessary to observe that the Europeans in 

 Whydah had long been subject to the King of Dahomey, 

 ruled by a Viceroy. Each nationality had its official chief, 

 called Hun-to by the English, and the Portuguese repre- 

 sentative enjoyed particular consideration. Nevertheless, 

 the Viceroy was their absolute master, and he obeyed the 

 fetich men. 



It is so easy to conceive poor Boville's bewilderment and 

 despair that I shall not dwell upon the situation. With 

 feverish haste he concealed his orchids. Mr. Blank re- 

 appeared, with a rope fringed with strips of palm leaf, 

 dry and crackling. This he threw round Boville's neck. 



' They daren't hurt you with that on ! ' he cried. ' Only 

 the head priest can remove it ! Go down ! I've set drink 

 on the table ! Good-bye ! ' 



The poor fellow obeyed, taking a pistol. All the 

 servants were clustered at the door, wide-eyed, humming 

 with terror and excitement. Presently the drums sounded 

 nearer and nearer — the throng opened — the Vokhimen 

 danced through, jibbering, curveting, posturing. He started 

 at sight of the palm-leaf cord, but passed by, unheeding a 

 glass of rum which Boville offered, and pranced upstairs. 

 The agent was right. This devil knew where to look ! 

 He thumped about a while overhead, then capered down, 

 with a bundle of orchids dangling on the iron stick. The 

 glass was not refused this time. After drinking, the 

 summoner touched Boville with his wand of office, saying, 

 ' Come ! The snake calls you ! ' 



Boville did not understand the formula, but he guessed 

 its meaning. There was no help. He set forth. The 



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