104 MISSIONARY LIFE IF ASHANTEE. 
his war-dance with sword and gun; the executioners 
making ominous signs, were similarly engaged behind 
him. We followed to the place of greeting, where a dread- 
ful crowd had gathered, crying out, " They shall all be 
killed," but the presence of the prince checked their 
rage. 
Having at last succeeded in paying our respects to his 
majesty, we retired to our chairs to receive the customary 
presents. The prince had four dollars given him, Mr. 
Watts three, and ourselves nine, together with a small 
bottle of brandy, which we gave to our soldiers, who were 
constantly forcing themselves upon us in hope of obtain- 
ing something. Nine dollars for four persons was little 
enough, and yet it was all we had to live on until the little 
Adae, twenty-three days later, if our expected boxes from 
the Prali did not arrive sooner. The day after, we went 
to meet and thank his majesty, as he returned from his 
accustomed visit to Bantama, before he passed on to 
Amanghyia, where he allowed himself a rest of forty days, 
until the next Adae came round. 
From the various accounts which reached us of the 
king's daily habits, we gathered that, like the Africans 
generally, he took but two meals a day, and ate but little 
of the many dishes set before him. Chicken, mutton, 
and especially pork, are his favourite viands. He 
eats alone at a beautifully wrought table in the 
court of the palace, but surrounded by his chiefs. 
At a distance stands his head cook (a golden spoon 
attached to his umbrella being the sign of his call- 
ing), incessantly stirring with a long fork the contents 
of the dish of which his majesty was partaking ; another 
attendant meanwhile rehearses in loud tones his royal 
master's virtues ; and when he happens to be in a good 
humour, he sometimes throws a chicken or a piece of 
meat to his courtiers, that he may enjoy seeing the 
