FUNERALS IN TAVIUN2. 77 



four years later, i.e., in April, 1879, which I condense from the 

 Field. 



' On being told on the morning of the 24th of August that 

 the king was dead, and preparations were being made for his 

 interment, I could scarcely credit the report. The ominous 

 word preparing urged me to hasten, but my utmost speed failed 

 to bring me to the king's house in time. It was evident that 

 as far as concerned two women, I was too late. The effect of 

 the scene was overwhelming. Scores of deliberate murderers, 

 in the very act, surrounded me ; yet there was no confusion 

 and no noise, only an unearthly horrid stillness. Nature 

 seemed to lend her aid to deepen the dread effect : there was 

 not a breath stirring in the air, and the half-subdued light in 

 the hall of death showed every object with unusual distinct- 

 ness. All was motionless as sculpture, and a strange feeling 

 came upon me, as though I myself was becoming a statue. To 

 speak was impossible ; I was unconscious that I breathed ; and 

 against my will I sank to the floor, assuming the cowering 

 posture of those who were not actually engaged in murder. My 

 arrival was during a hush, just at the crisis of death, and to 

 that strange silence must be attributed my emotion ; for I was 

 but too familiar with murders of this kind. Occupying the 

 centre of that large room were two groups on the floor ; the 

 middle figure of each group being held in a sitting posture by 

 several females, and hidden by a large veil On either side of 

 each veiled figure were eight or ten strong men, one company 

 hauling against the other on a white cord which was passed 

 twice round the neck of the doomed one, who thus in a few 

 minutes ceased to live. As my self-command was returning, 

 the group farthest from me began to move ; the men slackened 

 their hold, and the attendant women removed the large cover- 

 ing, making it into a couch for the victim. As that veil was 



