a feather on each side on
the front of their heads, which looked like horns.

Last of all came the women and children, the women carrying, hung round
their necks in front, baskets of _tabak_ and roots which they called
_petah_,--no doubt the potato,--and boiled fishes. Their baskets,
formed of dried grass, were neatly woven, the edges ornamented with
mother-of-pearl and shells; while on the sides were interwoven red
feathers in various devices. So fine were these baskets that they would
hold water.

As the _cortege_ approached they struck up a loud chant, to the measured
time of which they marched forward. As they got nearer, after a shout
of welcome had been uttered by the entire concourse, the sceptre-bearer
advanced, and in a manly voice commenced an oration, prompted by a
companion, and at the conclusion, according to the rule, they all
shouted "Oh!" to signify "Amen."

The King himself then, accompanied by both men and women, the children
only being left behind, with stately step came down the hill. On
reaching its foot, close to the fort, the sceptre-bearer commenced in a
slow measure a dignified dance, keeping time to a chant or song which he
began; then the King and his guards and every other person joined in the
song and dance, the women also dancing, but not singing. In this way,
dancing and singing, they advanced close up to the fort.

So satisfied was Drake that these performances were friendly, that he
allowed them freely to enter the fort. When the women approached with
their offerings, it was seen that blood was streaming from their bodies,
their faces, and necks.

They now requested Drake to sit down, when both the King and his chief
men made long orations, and these the English understood to signify that
they desired to place the country and everything they possessed at the
feet of her Majesty the Queen. They were still further convinced of
this when the King--the rest singing a joyful song--placed the crown on
the Admiral's head, and threw the bone chains which had been brought
round his neck, addressing him as "_Hioh_."

Drake, not considering this as any superior reverence to himself, but
only such as would be paid to the King, did not think it right to refuse
the homage or the gifts thus freely offered, hoping that in time to come
it might redound to the honour and profit of his country, and that these
children of nature would willingly receive missionaries of the Gospel,
and be brough