ANTALOW. 
and in an instant two or three of the dresses of his slaves were 
spread out, being fixed upon the ends of their spears so as to form 
a complete covering, which seemed to keep off the glare of the sun, 
which now began to be very oppressive. The chess board was in- 
troduced ; and here the Ras continued to play till past four in the 
afternoon, when we returned to Muccullah, where the usual Friday's 
repast was prepared. 
" The good Ras was aware that I had had nothing to eat in the 
morning before we left the hall ; accordingly, soon after we were 
seated on the plain, with much kindness and attention he ordered one 
of his chiefs to get another dress or two spread over a fowl curry that 
had been brought on purpose for me, and which my religion did 
not prevent me from eating ; on the contrary, I devoured nearly 
the whole of it, and never relished any thing more in my life. 
" I yesterday saw a funeral of the wife of one of the principal in- 
habitants of Muccullah. Whether it be the custom on the death of 
a female for none but females to weep and scratch themselves, I 
have yet to ascertain by further enquiry ; but certain it is, that 
none but women were seen to manifest their grief on this occasion, 
either by shedding tears, or scratching the skin from their temples, 
foreheads, and even noses, till they were as raw as brinde. All the 
beauty of Tigre was present in the valley this day ; so, while the 
Ras was engaged with his game of chess, I slipt away once or twice 
to give the many charming girls, (whom curiosity had led as near 
as the sticks of the Ras's slaves would permit them to approach) a 
clearer view of me, they never having seen a white face before. On 
re-entering the building, I unexpectedly saw the Muccullah princess 
Ozoro Endett, and three other ladies belonging to the chief men 
