BLACK PïliNCE OF MARABOU. 15 
bracelets, rings, necklaces, &c. We were led to it by the 
sound of a drum, and the clapping of hands ; the company 
formed a ring; and each woman by turns got into the middle, 
find danced ; they made the most hideous contortions of their 
features and limbs, after which, they joined in the circle. The 
next day they go in procession round the streets ; the bride 
supported by one of her friends, and the rest at intervals dan- 
cing round her, singing, 8vc.; this continues for some days, and 
even the governor could not be excused from attending, tlie 
custom is so established. If any officer or settler, of respecta- 
bility, wants a wife, he must court the girl a month, and then 
give what they call a great dinner; inviting all her relations, and 
keeping open house for some days ; this, of course, is extremely 
expensive, as it costs seldom less than two hundred pounds. At 
the weddings of the poorer classes, each one of the company 
gives a piece of money ; I met my washerwoman going to one 
with a dollar for that purpose. 
The second remove, or mixture of a mulatto with a white, 
produces children nearly of a white cast, or as they are called 
by Europeans miMers : J do not think the mulattoes in general 
so handsome as the blacks. 
November 12lh. The prince of Marabou this day paid us 
a visit, and the captain presented him with an old cocked hat, 
of which he was very proud — his brother Alexander, a general, 
accompanied him. We found he owed the island fifty slaves^ 
and was on the point of commencing a war for the express pur- 
pose of liquidating the debt. 
This is the only place at which Î heard of going to war for slaves j 
and I am apt to think there is some mistake, as he was a 
merchant> and more likely to purchase than otherwise. He 
brought a milch-goat with him to sell, and kid, but as the lady 
for whom it was intended was on shore, he would not leave it, 
but took it into the boat with him. 1 iiave given him a drawing 
of him, exactly as he was dressed. His brother was a strong- 
athletic man, had a fine open countenance, which bespoke ur- 
banity of manners ; in short, we were all fond of Alexander: he 
was almost covered with grisgris : his worsted blue cap, with red 
hoops, had a most ludicrous appearance. 
There are several ostriches kept on this island ; the governor 
frequently hunts them on the parade with dogs. As soon as 
the bird is produced he begins dancing, and at last sets off, leaving 
the dogs far behind : he goes regularly to the bottom of tlie 
parade and up again; setting the dogs at defiance, whom lie 
easily out-runs with the help of his vvings; nor can they catch 
him. 
