Mat.] the BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. 359 
mediately began to exhibit their war manoeuvres 
in a terrific manner, now advancing, then retreat- 
ing, and suddenly returning to the attack ; some- 
times also imitating the stabbing of an enemy. 
The height of their leaps into the air was sur- 
prising. Each company, after performing these 
evolutions, retired from the square and paraded 
through the town. 
At length the Regent entered at the head of a 
large party, who, after going through their evo- 
lutions, sat down towards the eastern corner of 
the square, after which the other companies soon 
entered, and took their stations in regular rows 
with their faces towards the Regent, who pre- 
sided on the occasion. The party that came 
with him sat, like himself, facing the meeting. 
Between three and four hundred persons might 
compose the peetso. 
The meeting commenced by the whole com- 
pany joining in singing a song ; after which a 
chief captain rose and commanded silence. He 
then gave three howls, and, resting upon his 
assagais, asked if they would hear him ? This 
was followed by a hum expressive of their assent. 
He then asked if they would give attention to 
what he said ? The sign was repeated. 
He began by expressing his suspicions that it 
s 2 
