BEFORE THE KING. 
71 
circle, bowing as we went to the king in the centre, and 
removing our hats (even my wife's). These salutations 
were responded to by a friendly nod. 
Our march finished, we sat and received in our turn 
the greetings of this high and mighty assembly. All 
rose, the horns blew, the jubilant cry resounded louder 
than the drum, as the grandees approached us with 
measured steps. The inferiors preceded, then the great 
men shaded by their umbrellas, and surrounded by their 
pages, saluted us as they passed by, each raising the 
hand. In front of the principal chiefs marched boys, 
adorned with elephant's or horse's tails, and carrying 
drums made of the trunks of trees, and horns adorned by 
human jaws. A. few of them had elephant's tusks 
hollowed out, and emitting a sound surpassing all others 
in strength and clearness, each musician trying to honour 
us by producing their loudest and shrillest tones, as they 
passed us. The chiefs were arrayed in silk, or the bril- 
liantly embroidered cloth of the country ; every individual 
wore his handsomest jewels, especially his massive gold 
plate on his breast, his carved seat being carried on the 
head of an attendant, who was followed by soldiers 
bearing his arms. 
After a number of such personages had passed, the great 
monarch himself approached. He was heralded by some 
eighty individuals, each wearing a cap of monkey's skin, 
adorned by a golden plate, and each holding his seat in 
his hand. Then came the dwarfs and buffoons in red 
flannel shirts, with the officials of the harem ; there were 
also sixty boys, every one of whom wore a charm sewn up 
in leopard's skin, with written scraps from the koran, 
which were highly valued; this train was followed by 
five tastefully carved royal chairs, hung round with gold, 
and silver bells, and richly ornamented with jewels, but 
all black, being stained with the blood of human sacrifices. 
