32 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
from side to side, with a passion of enthusiasm only equalled by 
the captains, who followed them, discharging their shilling blun- 
derbusses so close, that the flags now and then were in a blaze ; 
and emerging from the smoke with all the gesture and distortion 
of maniacs. Their followers kept up the firing around us in the 
rear. The dress of the captains (see drawing, No. I.) was a war 
cap, with gilded rams horns projecting in front, the sides extended 
beyond all proportion by immense plumes of eagles feathers, and 
fastened under the chin with bands of cowries. Their vest was of 
red cloth, covered with fetishes and saphies* in gold and silver; 
and embroidered cases of almost every colour, which flapped 
against their bodies as they moved, intermixed with small brass 
bells, the horns and tails of animals, shells, and knives ; long leo- 
pards tails hung down their backs, over a small bow covered with 
fetishes. They wore loose cotton trowsers, with immense boots of 
a dull red leather, coming half way up the thigh, and fastened by 
small chains to their cartOuch or waist belt ; these were also orna- 
mented with bells, horses tails, strings of amulets, and innumerable 
shreds of leather ; a small quiver of poisoned arrows hung from 
their right wrist, and they held a long iron chain between their 
teeth, with a scrap of Moorish, writing affixed to the end of it. A 
small spear was in their left hands, covered with red cloth and silk 
tassels ; their black countenances heightened the effect of this 
attire, and completed a figure scarcely human. 
This exhibition continued about half an hour, when we were 
allowed to proceed, encircled by the warriors, whose numbers, 
with the crowds of people, made our movement as gradual as if it 
had taken place in Cheapside ; the several streets branching off to 
the right, presented l<mg vistas crammed with people, and those on 
the left hand being on an accHvity, innumerable rows of heads 
* Scraps of Moorish writing, as charms against evil 
\ 
