BOOK III. CHAP. III. 4;r3 



with the fame characters, which authors have given to the natives of 

 this part, who are fiud to be the moft turbulent and defperate of any 

 on the coaft of Guiney ; and that, were it not for their civil divifions, 

 they would become dangerous neighbours to all the furrounding 

 lliates. Bofman fays, " they are bold, hardy, and ftick at nothing, 

 *' where revenge or intercfl: is concerned ; they are lazy, rapacious, 

 " cunning, and deceitful ; much addicted to theft, drunkennefs, 

 " gluttony, lying, flattery, and luft j vain and haughty in their 

 " carriage; envious and malicious in the higheft degree, dilfemblino- 

 " their refentments, for many years, until a fit opportunity offers of 

 *' gratifying their thirfl of revenge ; they are the moft treacherous 

 " villains, and confummate knaves, yet known on that continent." 



War and contention are their favourite amufements ; inured very 

 early to the ufe of fire arms, they are good markfmenj they go 

 naked, and their bodies by this means acquire a furprizing degree 

 of hardinefs, and ability to undergo fatigue ; but they have an invin- 

 cible averfion to every kind of labour, and particularly agriculture, 

 which they leave to their women. Their priefts, or obe'iah-men, 

 are their chief oracles in all weighty affr.irs, whether of peace, war, 

 or the purfuit of revenge. When aflembled for the purpofes of con- 

 fpiracy, the obeiah-man, after various ceremonies, draws a little 

 blood from every one prefent; this is mixed in a bowl with gunpow- 

 der and grave dirt ; the fetifhe or oath is adminiftered, by which 

 they folemnly pledge themfelves to inviolable fecrecy, fidelity to 

 their chiefs, and to wage perpetual war againft their enemies; as a 

 ratification of their fincerity, each perfon takes a fup of the mixture, 

 and this finifhes the folemn rite. Few or. none of them have ever 

 been known to violate this oath, or to defifl from the full execution 

 of it, even although feveral years may intervene. If defeated in 

 their hrft endeavours, they flill retain the folicitude of fulfilling all 

 that they have fworn ; dilTembling their malice under a feeming 

 fubmiffive carriage, and all the exterior figns of innocence and 

 chearfulnefs, until the convenient time arrives, when they think it 

 practicable to retrieve their former mifcarriage. If at length their 

 fecret defigns are brought to light, and that hypocrify can no longer 

 ferve their turn, they either lay violent hands on themfelves, orrefift 

 till they are difabled. 



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