PROLONGED WAITING. 
165 
\dsited by one of these voracious birds, which fastening 
its claws tightly in the straw work, could not extricate 
itself This was a strong temptation to the people around 
to possess themselves of its feathers, valuable for many 
purposes, and several ran forward, seized the larger ones, 
and disappeared in a moment with their prize. When 
the bird had freed itself, it was unable to fly, and a 
general lamentation ensued. The poor woman was carried 
off and put in irons, and would we knew be sacrificed. 
On Easter Sunday (March 31st), we were much in spirit 
with our dear ones at home. These seasons cause us to 
realize how entirely we are sundered from every chris- 
tian association, so that I set out with a heavy heart to 
my usual service in the streets. Yet, as often before on 
similar occasions, I returned strengthened and encouraged, 
and could rejoice in Him who is " the Resurrection and 
the Life." 
The king had left the previous week, overladen with 
presents, to spend his yearly vacation at Amanghyia. 
He dealt out his gifts lavishly on all sides, but forgot us, 
to whom a piece of fresh meat would have been so 
welcome. He however surprised the capital by a sudden 
resolution to hold the Bantama feast on the 1st April 
(Easter Monday). A painful contrast to the glorious 
christian festival we had quietly celebrated ! 
Numbers of poor victims were now slain in our immediate 
vicinity, and we were helpless ! How the whole land 
groaned under its oppressors 1 Almost every Ashantee 
felt how little such sacrifices were pleasing to God, yet 
not one dared to express his conviction, though had the 
king announced that very day that none but murderers 
should become victims, a universal cry of joy would have 
burst forth from multitudes of voices. But Kari-Kari was 
persuaded that his whole strength lay in his power to 
take life at any moment. One of his highest chiefs was 
