122 ANTALOW. 
of the place ; they appeared by no means alarmed at my presence, 
but rather otherwise, for they invited me to sit down, with which 
I accordingly complied. The Ozoro was covered with trinkets and 
chains of gold and silver ; even her shoes, in the hands of her slave 
girls, were of silver studded with gold. These ladies were very 
free in examining my dress and skin ; but nothing seemed to excite 
their surprize so much as my hair, which, until they touched it, 
they would not believe to be natural. 
" I did not know how the Ras might relish my presence among 
them; therefore, after shaking the ladies by the hands, I withdrew. 
I imagine there could not have been less than 10,000 persons as- 
sembled together this day, of whom two thirds were females. When 
the Ras was about to return, a deputation of priests was sent to the 
building for the crown and other valuables ; they were carried back 
by students, dressed in rich velvets of different colours, and Indian 
kincaubs ; over each of them was carried a red satin umbrella. All 
the females joined this procession, and in the hand of every one of 
respectability was a large brass key, made in the same form as those 
in the hands of the priests. I retired to my apartment at six. The 
Ras invariably slept after eating. 
Saturday, September 2,0, — The Ras attended divine service at 
the church at four this morning, and continued there till seven; at 
eight one of our servants arrived from Antalow, who brought me a 
note from Mr. Carter, acquainting me that they were distressed for 
provisions, the Ras*s slaves at that place having given him a very 
scanty allowance since my departure. 1 instantly mentioned this 
circumstance to the Ras through his head feeder, Welled Michael, 
4 
while at breakfast; and he immediately ordered a messenger to be 
