52 MISSIOI^ARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE. 
We met with many plantation villages in this fruitful 
plain, where corn, rice, pisang, maize, yams, and ground 
nuts abounded. About four o'clock we approached a 
large town named Dwaben, and prepared ourselves for a 
nois}^ reception. We soon reached a noble avenue of 
trees, such as I had never before seen in Africa, and under 
their glorious shade we entered a fine wide street, with 
whitewashed, and two-storied houses. Of course we were 
speedily surrounded by the entire population, the youthful 
portion of which especially, hailed us with riotous excite- 
ment, spite of all the remonstrances of the royal messenger. 
We had already met with some specimens of the savage 
female army, who in time of war dance twice a day through 
the towns of Ashantee, with howls and shrieks uttered 
for the benefit of their absent warriors. Our appearance 
in Dwaben was the signal for a grand flourish on their 
part ; no sooner did we appear in sight than these white 
painted figures rushed forward to meet us, leaping and 
gesticulating like maniacs, and brandishing their knives 
amid unearthly yells. One of them waved her sword 
full in the face of my wife, and then swept onward, 
screaming fearfully. 
In contrast to this frightful exhibition, we were 
cordially received by the older men of the town, who 
came to shake hands with us, and oflered palm wine 
to the detriment of Ageana's sobriety, who soon de- 
clared, with drunken solemnity, that we must stay here 
all night, as he (iould not bear to forego the honour of 
exhibiting his prisoners. However, the benevolent mes- 
senger interfered in our favour, being unwilling to expose 
us any longer to the diabolical tumult that surrounded us^ 
and our leader was at length cempelled to yield after a 
hot altercation, which ended in our being presented to 
the king of Dwaben. 
This potentate ranks next to the king of Ashantee, of 
