384 KING OBIE'S residence. 



we reached Obie's residence, where we found a 

 great number of men armed with guns and 

 spears. 



I was now conducted through a square and 

 three court-yards, the doors of which, with the 

 pillars, were ornamented with rude figures of 

 men carved out of the wood. In the fourth and 

 furthest court-yard, was a platform about three 

 feet high, and covered with mats : at the back 

 of the platform was a kind of throne, elevated 

 about two feet, and covered with mats of a fancy 

 colour ; — the walls of the yard were coloured 

 yellow and red ; — the roof of the last court-yard 

 projected out about twelve feet, and was support- 

 ed by pillars of wood. In this inner yard, was 

 what appeared to me to be a steam-chest, used 

 by the king as a bath. The slaves and com- 

 mon people were ranged at the back part of the 

 yard ; to the right were some chiefs and respect- 

 able-looking people, and to the left was a room 

 occupied by Obie's head wife, a fine stout woman, 

 so fat, she could scarcely walk, with anklets of 

 ivory several pounds weight. 



After waiting a short time, Obie entered from 

 a door on the right, and in a most cordial man- 

 ner shook my hand, and cracked fingers five or 



