ME. FLANGE'S SEGOJ^D EMBASSY. 175 
j els, dresses, sheep, and finally in human sacrifices, and 
hardly had the presents been produced when a number of 
odumfo (executioners) appeared, followed by a blood- 
thirsty multitude, who rushed into the next street. Three 
chosen victims were led forth, who had been already lying 
between life and death for some weeks, with their feet 
^nd hands in irons, understanding too well the cause of 
the firing. 
Presently, one of the party who had gone off returned 
in a state of high excitement, displaying a knife. One of 
the intended victims had somehow procured this weapon, 
a,nd with it had wounded the odumfo, who sprang upon 
him. Another of these wretches speedily ran him through 
the cheek, and he was brought here bound. 
The multitude hearing the death drum hurried in the 
•direction whence the sound proceeded, the fatal signal was 
soon heard, and a muffled sound announced that the exe- 
cution was over, the band returned playing and uttering 
cries of joy, and sat down by his majestjy. We after- 
wards came accidentally upon the blood-stained ground, 
where lay the headless trunks, their hands bound on their 
backs, and a warrior sta.nding b}^, deliberately smearing 
his fetish with the blood of the last victim. 
We had already seen a great deal of Coomassie, and 
our eyes and hearts were in some degree accustomed to its 
horrors, but this was overwhelming. The Ashantees 
stood around laughing and joking, whilst I attempted to 
hurry home to sigh and cry for this poor nation. But 
no ! we were forced to stay to see the king pass. He 
€ame, surrounded by torches, in his sedan chair, which is 
bordered by a dozen swords covered with gold. He saw 
and saluted us with a smile, but looked confused as if he 
were struggling with serious thoughts. Oh, when will 
Christianity help these poor deluded people ? 
Weeks passed by, and Mr. Flange was not invited to 
