CHAP. X. HOMAGE RENDERED TO THE DEAD. 267 



at a much higher figure. It was also stated, on this occasion, 

 that as a mark of respect towards the deceased a specified 

 number of cannons and of muskets would be fired ; also that 

 barrels of arrack would be given to the people, and a number 

 of oxen distributed for slaughter. 



During the forenoon of the following day a number of 

 officers in their palanquins preceded by their band, which 

 generally consisted of a couple of drums, with clarionets, fifes, 

 and flutes, and attended by a guard of honour of sixty or a 

 hundred men, passed by my residence on their way to the 

 large open space near the premises of the late M. Delastelle. 

 Two small cannons tied to poles, and borne on men's shoulders, 

 were also carried along, followed by crowds of people, all pro- 

 ceeding to the same place. 



About one o'clock the firing of cannon and musketry com- 

 menced. The firing, mingled with the din of the music and 

 the shoutings of the multitude, was continued with occasional 

 intervals during the afternoon ; and towards evening, when 

 the firing ceased, five or six poor frightened oxen were driven 

 past my house towards the plain at the north end of the 

 village, where they were to be killed and distributed amongst 

 the parties by whom they had been driven to the place. 

 From ten to twenty intoxicated men surrounding one of the 

 terrified animals, some hold of his horns, others of his tail, oc- 

 casionally one jumping on his back, and singing at the highest 

 pitch of their voices, would pull or drive the poor brute along 

 to the apparent delight of their own companions, but to the 

 evident dismay and terror of the more sober and quiet part 

 of the community. 



As I went in the evening to the house of the hospitable 

 friend at whose table I always found a place, the road was 

 literally thronged with the excited and intoxicated multitude. 

 Some were carrying vessels containing intoxicating drink, 

 others portions of the slaughtered animals, and more than 



