32 
A VOYAGE TO 
1777* pany us. We then embarked again, taking on board a 
prieft who was to affift at the folemnity. 
As foon as we landed at Attahooroo, which was about 
two o’clock in the afternoon, Otoo expreffed his delire that 
the feamen might be ordered to remain in the boat; and 
that Mr. Anderfon, Mr. Webber, and myfelf, might take off 
our hats, as foon as we Ihould come to the moral , to which 
we immediately proceeded, attended by a great many men, 
and fome boys ; but not one woman. We found four 
priefts, and their attendants, or affiftants, waiting for us. 
The dead body, or facrifice, was in a fmall canoe that lay 
on the beach, and partly in the walh of the lea, fronting 
the moral . Two of the priefts, with fome of their atten¬ 
dants, were fitting by the canoe ; the others at the moral. 
Our company flopped about twenty or thirty paces from 
the priefts. Here Otoo placed himfelf; we, and a few 
others, ftanding by him; while the bulk of the people 
remained at a greater diftance. 
The ceremonies now began. One of the prieft’s attendants 
brought a young plantain-tree, and laid it down before 
Otoo. Another approached with a fmall tuft of red fea¬ 
thers, twifted on fome fibres of the cocoa-nut hulk, with 
which he touched one of the king’s feet, and then retired 
with it to his companions. One of the priefts, leated at the 
moral , facing thofe who were upon the beach, now began a 
long prayer; and, at certain times, fent down young plan- 
tain-trees, which were laid upon th£ facrifice. During this 
prayer, a man, who ftood by the officiating prieft, held in 
his hands two bundles, feemingly of cloth. In one of them, 
as we afterward found, was the royal maro; and the other, 
if I may be allowed the expreffion, was the ark of the 
Eatooa . As foon as the prayer was ended, the priefts at the 
moral 1 
