A Narrow Escape 
most frightful and cruel manner. Mr. Euschart 
was then ordered to remain quiet in his house 
and not to look out after sundown. 
“When the ground shook violently from the 
earthquake felt at Accra, Mr. Euschart was at 
once brought to the market-place where he 
again found the king seated on a raised platform 
surrounded by amazons. The king told them 
that the ‘ground-shaking’ was the spirit of his 
father complaining that the ‘ customs ’ (bloody 
rites) were not made properly. Three Eshagga 
chiefs were then brought before the king who 
told them that they must go and tell his father 
that the ‘ customs ’ would be better than ever. A 
bottle of rum and a head of cowries were then 
given to each and they were immediately de¬ 
capitated. Twenty-four men were then brought 
out bound in baskets with their heads just show¬ 
ing out and were placed on the platform in front 
of the king. They were then thrown down to 
the people who were dancing, singing and yell¬ 
ing below. As each was thrown down, he was 
seized and beheaded, the heads being piled in one 
heap and the bodies in another. Every man 
who caught a victim and cut off his head re¬ 
ceived one head of cowries. 
“ Mr. Euschart was then taken to another part 
237 
