236 MISSIONARY LIFE IJST ASHANTEE. 
their places by other girls, who, painted white, and hung 
with gold ornaments, sat around the coffin to drive away 
the flies — and were strangled at the funeral. The same 
fate befel six pages, who, similarly ornamented and 
painted, crouched around the coffin, which was carried 
out at midnight. For three days previously the poor 
lads had known they were doomed to go with, the un- 
happy women to the grave. 
On Friday, the day of the " king's soul" (he was born on 
Friday), no blood must be shed, and all the bodies of the 
slain were dragged away early in the morning to the 
•entrance of Apetesini. The Fantees were filled with 
horror at the sight; they had witnessed the murder of 
twenty human sacrifices, some of them lads of ten years, 
others old men. We wondered how the people could sit 
down to eat after the appointed three days' fast. The 
town was quieter, and the king divided sheep among 
his chiefs. The funeral ceremonies were continued on 
Saturday the 6th, by every one having their heads 
shaved. 
The dancing women attended at the palace to comfort 
the king, for which they received presents of gold. On 
this occasion, a princess quarrelled, and allowed herself 
to utter insulting words. The king ordered her to be 
taken out on the spot, and not only did she lose her head, 
but a prince and other Ashantee nobles fell on the same 
day. It was really a reign of terror, and none could 
understand whether it was an outburst of ungoverned 
passion, or an intimation of absolute power. On Monday, 
a week after the death, a fast was again observed, and 
we knew too well the sad accompaniment. We could 
only sigh and cry to the Lord of Hosts, and we knew that 
He would hear us, although we were taunted by the 
question, " Where is thy God ?" 
From the 1st to the 10th of September, the slaughter 
