New-York tribune., 1901-09-01
4 KING IN EXILE.
THE LIFE OF BENJAMIN.. X-MONAECH
OF DAHOMEY. IN MARTINIQUE
Of The L9ndon GIohe.

Correspondence ol The London Globe
Being taken on shore 10y tho captain and OIL
GERS 10 pay my respects to the Governor OF
Martinique, At his proposal accompanied him
on a visit to BchanZin. -X-kinC Of pahoU"y
who had been in his charge since January, 1894
We wound up a steep hill To the half ruined
Fort TartanSon, and, entering grass grown
sPCaTc, confront ii 4 low tWo-StoTi"d building
with barred doors and grated windows tn. Of
the Frenchmen rang. and a mUlatto woman
came out, and some three minutes later all
entered rooMy CascIna.r. hung with some
ton stuff. The audience chamber was Wretchcd
enough, for the walls Whitewashr, as in "A
barrack. The interpreter app jared. and re-
ported IN" CaptlEcs state OF health To the Gov
ern"r Then h" brought in "A small cane sofa
and some chairs. ranging the latter in a half
circle round the former.
Then thu curtains parted and a gigantic negro
came before Us. 1t was the scourgc of the Guinea
Coast, the terrible BehanZin. Throwing a quick
glance around. he advanced abruptly and en-
hraced the Governor, crying in "A clicking gut
tuTal voice. "Ha ami Ha. ami" He was fol
lowed 10y his wives and daughters and a savage
LOOKING negro Wh" had been his minister and
executioner in Then. rustiing his silky
draperies. the King sank heavily into a chair
signing US to do the From under his
velvet hood embroidered with beads his eriZ-
zled and curly locks fcll ahundantIy while the
tuft his chin was also grizZl.d ON his faat
We're leathcrn sandals with velvet TOPS en-
broidered with beads. ON the captain offering
hm box OF Havana cigars. hc nodded quickly
and cried in the same cultural tones '.AIoils
neusi. commadat' Meusi'" tmercD. The Gov
ernor then playfuily pointed to one of the Off
GERS and asked through the Interpreter Whct her
the King daughter, Potazi. would not like him
for a husband. The King gave "a hoarse laugh
and motioned To her. when she Sprang ND and
Coqucttishiy did his bidding. Then th,. three
young ncSresSes kissed all present in turn tx
halinS "A strong SAVIOR Of cocoauut oil. At a
fresh sign from the King of his wives
brought IN his sceptre and handed IT him kiss
ing the ground hunbly before doing so IL is of
wood. surmounted by elephants tusk set i'm
SILVER When he is unable to pay his daily visit
10 the Governor he sends a wife or daughter
10 touch him on the shoulder with this scentre
the terrace To return visit "ffa ami anli,''
Was again IN his cultural greeting, ard then joy
ously, Nom malad. nom malad,' to signify his
lnaisposltipn Of the morning was passed W.
went 10 the drawing room. and NJ. Moroquini
SAID, NOW shall ask the King to show Us how
they marry in Dahomey'' This being inter
preted to him. he nodded acquicScence. and th.
ceremony began. An eartheuware vessel fulI OF
water was handed To him. and PotaZi went on
her knees before him and held out her hand
with glass in il. With "A bright smile Pelham
2in half filled il with water. Then another
daughter. BupanS. signed to her sister To- follow
her. PotaZi hid behind her. and stretching uut
h"lh hands 50 that the right palm covered the
top of thA glass in her left. leaned forward like
IA tiger ready 10 si'ring. Walking slowly and
heavily the girls approached one of the lieuten-
ants. who colOri To the ears. Then Potazi
Strengthened heri If with an effort and put the
glass his lips
Bravo" cried he F'renchmen she has chosen
you! Drink. drink"
The happy man in confusion drank it
Eulp- Then the bride put her round his
neck ana kissed him resonantly the cheek
Alas! cried Moroquini, now YOU are man and
wIfe Tor ever BE thankful not in Da-
honey Their Of the officers went to the
piano and struck up The Reichlandcr." The
princesSes hesitated. but Behanzin nodded
jestically, aud the dance began. Forming line.