TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
143 
ceeded in killing, a large lioness, which had, for 
some time, been disturbing the neighbourhood 
of the village* On this occasion, we were accom- 
panied by some of the inhabitants of Samba 
Contaye, one of whom gave the first wound to 
the animal 5 in consequence of which he was 
disarmed by the rest of his companions, and led 
prisoner (his hands tied behind his back) to the 
town, at whose outer approach they were met by 
all the women, singing and clapping hands. The 
dead animal, covered with a white cloth, was car- 
ried by four men on a bier constructed for the 
purpose, accompanied by the others of their 
party, shouting, firing shots, and dancing, or ra- 
ther playing all sorts of monkey tricks. As I was 
not a little surprised at seeing the man, whom 
I conceived ought to be rewarded for having 
first so disabled the animal as to prevent it from 
attacking us, thus treated, I requested an expla- 
nation; and was informed that being a subject 
only, he was guilty of a great crime in killing 
or shooting a sovereign, and must suffer this pu- 
nishment until released by the chiefs of the 
village, who knowing the deceased to have been 
their enemy, would not only do so immediately, 
but commend the man for his good conduct. I 
endeavoured to no purpose to find out the origin 
of this extraordinary mock ceremony, but could 
only gain the answer, frequently given by an 
