XXXI. ] 



VISIT TO KING KONGO. 



41.3 



The hour for our reception having arrived, we were taken to November, 

 the very sunnuit of the hill, where the king's hut and that of is'?^- 

 his principal wife were situated on a small level surface. This 

 position was inaccessible on all sides save the one by which we 

 approached, and was surrounded by a heavy palisade. On our 

 way to it, no fewer than thirteen separate lines of stockading 

 were passed, while the path was in some places so steep that we 

 were obliged to use our hands to clamber up. 



l^^ltM! 



•iV 



VISIT TO KING KOSOO. 



Just before reaching the royal compound, we halted by an 

 open hut containing a large bell, which was tolled by men sta- 

 tioned on guard to give notice of our arrival, and there we 

 waited until permission to proceed was obtained from Kongo. 

 )Vatch and ward was kept at this post both day and night, to 

 prevent any one approaching without due warning being giv- 

 en ; and this also was the chosen scene of executions which, I 

 heard, were rather frequent, though the barbarous practice of 

 mutilation was unknown. 



After a time we received permission to enter the royal pre- 

 cincts, and found a few stools placed round an antiquated arm- 



