Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-07-31

many pieces. Gov. Bayol, while in Abb
omey in 1890, was a spectator OF this
scene. He says that he saw an Amazon
about nineteen years old rush upon one
OF the victims. She was a new recruit,
and had not yet killed anybody, and 1t
was desired TO put her to the test With
her sharp-edged sabre, held in both
hands, she struck the victim three
blows on the neck, then chopped OIL the
last pieces of flesh that still held the
head to the trunk, after which she
carefully wiped her sabre and retired TO
the ranks. Allgators, cats and other
animals are sacrificed TO carry messages
20 their kind. II Behanzin makes the
French too much trouble during the
coming campaign they NAV possibly
send him himself to interview his an
ceStors.
The victims are inyariabe criminals
or captives of war collected to make a
negro holiday. When Europeans pro-
test to the Kings of Dahomey against
these terrible sacrifices, they are told
that not only does this slaughter give
great satisfaction to the gods, but also
il is the only way to make a great jail
delivery. If they did not kill their
criminals, they say, it would take too
many soldiers to suppress evil doors.
And yet Dahomey is not people OF saw
ages. Under ordinary circumstances
the populace are gentle and easy to in
nuence. Most OF them obey implicitly
all the laws and regulations OF their
king. They are fairly industrious and
L Of NJ l.
ization. The represent one OF the finest
types of the black race, are above med
ium stature, have bright, intelligent
faces, and powerful physique, and 1t is
only in war or in the practice OF
their religious customs that they dis
play remarkable ferocity and tanati-
ciSm.
The King is aided in his government
by a council composed Of his principal
chiefs; but in spite OF his ministers and
his own nearly absolute authority, he IS
still submissive TO the ocut power Of
fetch. The people to-day would rise en-
masse against their King II he under
took to abolish the fetch doctors and
abolish the time-honored sacrifices. One
curious religious law imposed upon the
King by the fetch priests foroids him 70
look upon the sea. This law was doubt
less made TO prevent the King from
coming too much under the influence Of
the white men who might persuade him
TO forget the customs OF his country and
overthrow fetchism.
The sentiment in France seems TO be
against taking possession OF the capital,
Abomey, unless this step is positively
necessary to insure the safety Of French
interests. 1t is not improbable, how
ever. that France will be compelled
completely to subjugate Dahomey be-
fore an enduring peace Is secured. The
road from Whydah TO Abomey Is only
sixty-five miles LONG, but IL is a difficult
route, lying through forest and swamp.
II the French advance 10 the capital
they will very likely approach it By the
route from Whydah. and also send an
expedition up the Wheme river on the
new gunboat Opal. Gamma, the sacred
city of the country, is eight miles south
Of Abomey. A large part OF the army
is said to be now at Gamma, aud 5000 OF
the Kings troops are at Godome, only q
few miles from the coast. AoOmey oc-
cupies rolling plain nearly surround
ed by marsh. The city Is eight miles m
circumference, and is surrounded by
clay walls pierced by six gates. The
oonuIation is 1900 The French hope
TO mage the campaign short, and il is
certain that Dahomey can offer ei-
fectivslresistance.
CYRUS c. Al