Travels in Western Africa in 1845 & 1846, Volume 2 (of 2) / comprising a journey from Whydah through the Kingdom of Dahomey to Adofoodia in the interior

From a Sketch by Duncan. Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers. MODE OF EXECUTION AT DAHOMY. THE BLOOD DRINKER WAITING WITH HIS CALABASH TO DRINK THE BLOOD.
1845 & 1846,
COMPRISING
A JOURNEY FROM WHYDAH, THROUGH THE KINGDOM OF DAHOMEY, TO ADOFOODIA, IN THE INTERIOR.
BY JOHN DUNCAN, LATE OF THE FIRST LIFE GUARDS, AND ONE OF THE LATE NIGER EXPEDITION.
IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II.
LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty. 1847.
LONDON: R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.
TRAVELS IN WESTERN AFRICA.
The Zafidah Mountains—Zoogah—Reception by the Caboceer—Bamay—Its Market—Curiosity of the People—Population—The Davity Mountains—Daragow—Qualifications for a Caboceer—The River Zoa, or Lagos—Its wooded Banks—Ferry—Superstition—Water-lilies—The Plain set on Fire to destroy the Shea-butter Tree, &c.—Valley of Dimodicea-takoo—Kootokpway—Gbowelley Mountain—Romantic Scenery—Hospitable Reception—The Mahees—Their total Defeat by the Dahomans—Ascent of the Mountain—Ruins of a Town—Skeletons of the Slain—Soil—Twisted Rock—Mineral Springs—Agbowa—Herds of Cattle—Paweea, its healthy Situation—Palaver with the Caboceer—Description of him—His Hospitality—The Markets—Guinea Corn—Natives good Farmers—Cloth Manufacture—Native Loom—Hardware—Hyæna Trap—Admiration of my Sword—Review of native Soldiers—Population.
July 11th.—We marched from Setta at 8 A.M., the first high land bearing from the north side of the town N. 25° E. , and named the Zafidah mountains, distant about twelve miles. These mountains form the western extremity of a range, running as far to the eastward as the eye can reach. The path led directly to these mountains, and the surrounding country was of a beautiful champaign character, studded at considerable intervals with trees of various descriptions.
About half a mile from Setta, and journeying N. E. , we crossed a fine brook with a waterfall. The bed of the brook was of granite or quartz, in immense detached blocks, the brook running eastward. Close to this ford is a small kroom, called Zoogah; and although we had come so short a distance the old patriarch or caboceer had provided plenty of provisions for myself and private servants, with water and peto. The poor man also presented me with several fowls. He told me that the people of his small town had made a subscription and purchased these fowls to offer to me, but were ashamed to make so trifling a present, although they were anxious to show their good feeling towards the King’s white stranger. He had told them what I had said at Setta to the old woman (for he was present on that occasion) who presented me with the two eggs. The kindness shown towards me now formed a perfect contrast to that which I had experienced on the coast, where the character and disposition of the people are vile. I gave the caboceer some needles and thimbles, with directions to distribute them amongst his people.