On entering the town they were met by a crowd
of at least five thousand people, for the most part warriors, who
fired their guns, shouted, and yelled. Horns, drums, rattles, and
gongs added to the appalling noise. Men with flags performed wild
dances, in which the warriors joined. The dress of the captains
consisted of war caps with gilded rams' horns projecting in front,
and immense plumes of eagles' feathers on each side. Their vest was
of red cloth, covered with fetishes and charms in cases of gold,
silver, and embroidery. These were interspersed with the horns and
tails of animals, small brass bells, and shells. They wore loose
cotton trousers, with great boots of dull red leather coming halfway
up to the thigh, and fastened by small chains to their waist belts,
also ornamented with bells, horse tails, strings of amulets, and
strips of colored leather. Long leopards' tails hung down their
backs.
Through this crowd the party moved forward slowly, the throng thickening
at every step. They were escorted to a house which they were told
was set aside for their use, and that they would be allowed to see
the king on the following day. The houses differed entirely from
anything which they had before seen in Africa.
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