282 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
All the horns flourished as he made his exit and entree; swords, 
feathers, elephants tails, were waved rapidly, and the drums beaten 
with deafening effect. After he was seated, the hnguists, preceded 
bj their gold canes and insignia, presented a sheep, a flask of rum, 
(drank on the ground,) and ten ackies of gold to each superior 
captain, and somewhat less to the others. Another flourish pro- 
claimed the dispensation of the King's bounty. Five or six men 
then rose ; and chaunted his deeds and titles for about ten minutes. 
I regret exceedingly that this chaunt was not noted, it was so 
harmonious. I observed them put something between their teeth 
before they began. The same tedious form of saluting the King 
was now repeated to return thanks. Any new law was afterwards 
promulgated, which occurred but twice during our stay, and the 
levee brdke up on the King's leaving his chair. Not unfrequently 
the whole took place during heavy rain. It was computed that 
the King dashed or presented forty pereguins of gold (o64G0.) 
every Adai' custom.* 
The decease of a person is announced by a discharge of muketry, 
proportionate to his rank, or the wealth of his family. In an 
instant you see a crowd of slaves burst from the house, and run 
towards the bush, flattering themselves that the hindmost, or those 
surprised in the house, will furnish the human victims for sacrifice, 
if they can but secrete themselves until the custom is over. The 
body is then handsomely drest in silk and gold, and laid out on 
* The Ahanta's divide time into periods of three weeks. The first week is called 
Adai, and is termed the good week, in which much work is done ; and traders visit the 
markets more frequently in this week than at any other time, supposing all they do in 
it must prosper. The second week is Ajamfoe, or the bad week, in which no work ox 
trade is done, the natives believing every thing undertaken in it must fail. The third 
week is Adim, or the little good week, in which they both work and trade, but not as 
wmch as in the Adai. 
