The Night of Heathenism, 219 
hasten without delay to the scene of action ; but my utmost 
speed failed to bring me to the king's house in time. The 
moment I entered, it was evident, that so far as it concerned 
two of the women, I was too late to save their lives. The 
effect of that scene was overwhelming. Scores of deliberate 
murderers in the very act, surrounded me, yet there was no 
confusion, and except a word from him who presided, no 
noise, only an unearthly, horrid stillness. Nature seemed 
to»lend her aid to deepen the effect; there was not a breath 
stirring in the air, and the half-subdued light in that hall of 
death showed every object with unusual distinctness. All 
was motionless as sculpture, and a strange feeling came 
upon me as though I myself were fast becoming a statue. 
To speak was impossible. I was unconscious that I 
breathed, and, involuntarily, or rather, against my will, I 
sank to the floor, assuming the cowering posture of those 
who were 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, neither was there any- 
thing novel in the apparatus employed. Occupying the 
centre of a large room were two groups, the business of 
whom could not be mistaken. All sat 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 was a company of eight or ten 
strong men, one company pulling against the other a strong 
white cord, which was passed twice round the neck of the 
doomed woman, who thus in a few minutes ceased to live. 
Just as my self-command was returning, the group farther 
from me began to move, the men slackened their hold, and 
the attendant woman removed the covering, making it into 
a couch for the victim. As that veil was lifted, some of 
