136 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE. 
rounded by the wives of the deceased, were continually 
carried past. The chief who falls in battle is lightly 
buried, and water is poured on his grave many times a 
day, for some weeks. The bones thus becoming clean, are 
taken out and deposited in a chest, which, on this occasion, 
was covered with rich damask silk. The women be- 
smeared with red, shrieked and howled fearfully. The 
chiefs who return alive, are likewise surrounded with 
women, who, decked in green foliage, dance around their 
husbands amid songs of joy. 
The number of common soldiers who fall, is denoted by 
small sticks fastened to a pole, and carried by one of the 
company. On this occasion however, this was omitted, 
as they did not wish their heavy losses to be made 
prominent. 
Our old friend the general, wore a small round cap, 
ornamented by buffalo's horns, and falcon's feathers, and 
was accompanied by his lieutenant, Nantshi. Before 
Adu Bofo was borne, the stolen bell from Ho, which for 
years called the people to service, was now rung again 
as the brightest trophy of the campaign. How the sound 
went to our hearts ! making us long that church bells 
might soon send forth their invitation to the weary and 
heavy laden throughout Asliantee. 
I went out for a few moments in the evening to get an 
idea of the review. It was really an imposing sight. 
The whole market place as far as Bantama, was crowded 
wdth people, and between them defiled the soldiers as far 
as the " Coom " tree, which gives its name to the town ; 
under it the cluster of large umbrellas betokened the 
presence of the most important personages. As each com- 
pany appeared before the king, they fired a salute, then 
turning round, marched back again in a second line to 
the place from whence they came. The hair ot the 
majority was rough and shaggy, giving their heads the 
