THI WORLD'S WONDERS. 553 



center of the town, and began his final incantation, which should 

 disclose the names of the murderous sorcerers. Every man and 

 boy was armed, some with spears, some with swords, some with 

 guns and axes, and on every face was shown a determination to 

 wreak bloody revenge on those who should be pointed out as the 

 criminals. The whole town was wrapt in an indescribable fury 

 and horrid thirst for human blood. After a certain devilish cere- 

 mony the infernal doctor commanded silence, while he said : 



" There is a very black woman, who lives in a house (describ- 

 ing its location) ; she bewitched Mpomo." 



Scarcely had he ceased speaking, when the crowd, raving and 

 screaming like so many infuriated beasts, rushed frantically for 

 the place indicated. They seized upon a poor girl named Okan- 

 daga, who was the sister of Du Chaillu's guide and friend, 

 Adonma. Waving their weapons over her head, they bore her 

 away to the water-side. Here she was quickly bound with cords, 

 and then all rushed away to the diabolical doctor again. 



The ceremony was repeated as before, and the doctor accused 

 anotner woman, who was likewise seized. He continued his accu- 

 sations until half-a-dozen poor wretches were brought to judg- 

 ment, which was execution by beheading. A large canoe was 

 next brought, in which the victims were placed, with the execu- 

 tioners, doctor, and several armed persons. The poison-cup, 

 called mboundon, was handed to each. Poor Okandaga was a 

 picture of despair as her brother handed the chalice to her ; the 

 cries she uttered were pitiful to hear, for life was lovely to her, 

 and innocence only rendered her more sensitive to her fate. All, 

 however, were forced to take the poison, which, in a moment, 

 produced an intoxication, when the headsmen began their bloody 

 work, literally hacking off the heads of the accused with a short 

 knife, which was so light that several strokes were required to 

 complete the horrible butchery. After their heads were stricken 

 off, the bodies were cut into small pieces and scattered over the 

 water, a ceremony which is supposed to destroy their power to 

 work evil in their spiritual condition. 



