Chapter VIII: 164

My lonely Situation--Akwoaay, its Population, &c.--Kind Reception
by the Gadadoo--Native House of two Stories--Gigantic
Cotton-tree--Etay, a Vegetable of the Yam tribe--Voracity
of the Natives--Soil, Manufactures, &c. of Akwoaay--Natives
of Porto Sogoora--Visit of the Caboceer--Mode of catching Crabs--Great
Heat--Visit from Native Women--Mr. Lawson of Popoe--Character of the
Natives--Attempt at Murder--Nocturnal Visit--Superstition--Vicinity
of a Fetish-house--Flocks of Monkeys--The Monkey, an article of
Food--Disagreeable Situation--Cravings of Hunger--Visit to the
Greejee Market--An Alligator killed--Usual Notice to the
Authorities on such occasions--The Alligator used as Food--Cruelty
of the Natives to the Horse--Return to Whydah--Bad
Conduct of my Canoemen--Adventures--Arrival at
Whydah--Preparations for my Journey to Abomey--Country
around Whydah--Farms--Emigrants from Sierra Leone
Slave-dealers--Generosity of the King of Dahomey--Soil of
Whydah--Corn-mill--Ferns, Vegetables, Fruits, &c.

CHAPTER IX. 190

Manufacture of Salt--Death of Dr. M’Hardy--Falling Stars--Manioc, the
Food of the Slaves--Crops--Mode of storing Grain--Superstition--
Hospitality of Don Francisco de Suza--A
Tornado--Slave Auctions--Punishment for killing Fetish
Snakes--Slaughter of Dogs, &c.--Dogs used as Food--An
English Dog rescued--Thievish Propensities of the Natives--Falling
Stars--Murder of two Wives--Adjito--A heavy Tornado--Robbed
by my Servant--American Brig sold to Slave Merchants--Shipment of
Slaves--Sharks--Death caused by one--Preparations
for my Journey to the Kong Mountains--M. de
Suza’s Liberality--His Opinion of Englishmen

CHAPTER X. 205

Set out on my Journey for Abomey--Savay--Torree--My wretched
Condition--Azoway--Parasitical Plants--Aladda--Cotton tree--Atoogo--
Assewhee--Havee--A Butterfly-School--Whyboe--Construction of the
Houses--Native Customs--Manufactures--African Character
generally--Population of Whyboe--Akpway--An extensive
Swamp--Ahgrimmah--Togbadoe--Scenery--Soil--Swarm of Locusts

CHAPTER XI. 215

Canamina, its Population--Adawie--Preparations for entering
the Capital--Abomey--My hospitable Reception--Visit from
Mayho, the Prime Minister--Message from the King--The
Palace--The Market-place--Dead Bodies of Criminals hung up--My
Reception by his Majesty--Ceremony on Introduction--Conversation
with the King--Perform the Sword Exercise
before him--His Approbation--Troops of Female Soldiers--The King’s
Person--Ceremony of the Introduction of Military Officers--Dress
of the Female Soldiers--Introduced to the King’s
Chiefs--Visits--The King’s Staff--Review of Native Troops--Feigned
Attack on a Town--The King’s Soldier-wives--Ashantee
Prince--His Majesty’s Opinion of England and the English--The
vain Boasting of the Ashantee Prince silenced by
the King--Principal Officers--The Dahoman Women formidable Soldiers

CHAPTER XII. 241

Visit to the King at his Palace--Description of it--Reception by
his Majesty--Gaudy Dress of the Attendants--Masks, Ornaments,
&c.--Occasion of the War between the Mahees and
Dahomans, and its Result--The King’s Walking-staffs--Dance
performed by his Majesty--Another Review of Female Troops--Execution
of Four Traitors--Horrible Occurrence--Disgusting
office of the Blood-drinker--Ludicrous Scene--The King’s
Mother and Grandmother--Dance performed by them--Costume
of the King’s Favourite Wives--I perform on the
Jew’s Harp--I dance with his Majesty--His Message to the
Queen of England--Ridiculous Customs--Court of Appeal established
at Abomey--Character of the King--Domestic Slavery--A
Slave-hunt--Military Distinctions--Want of Natural
Affection in the Natives--Roguery of my Servant--The King’s
Commissions to me--An Interesting Incident--Murderous
Attack on me by my Servant--Inquiry into the Occurrence--My
Servant compelled to accompany me