284 TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
drum, and every word the latter said was re- 
ceived with applause. All was carried on in a 
manner that would not reflect disgrace on the 
most enlightened senate. One person only 
presumed to speak at a time, and that in a low 
voice, and the person speaking never received 
any interruption before he announced his having 
finished, which, as well as all that each had said, 
was repeated in a loud and distinct voice by the 
respective bards, or griots of the chiefs. 
I witnessed a similar assembly at Bondoo, but 
it was by no means conducted with similar regu- 
larity, or respect to good order. The assembly sat 
three hours, and was dismissed by the Tonca 
informing the chiefs that having heard all that 
was advanced on either side, it remained for 
those to whom the proposal of acting in unison 
with the others fortheir country's good was made, 
to decide whether they would do so or abide the 
consequences, which he hinted might not be very 
pleasant, as the king of Kaarta had made known 
his determination, God willing", to visit their 
country in the course of that year. 
I was much astonished at the shrewd re- 
marks, specious motives, and expressive lan- 
guage used by some of the chiefs present. Al- 
maney Dramanet, a man advanced in years, 
possessing considerable influence in the country, 
and, as he said, " only answerable to God and 
