Importance of the Caboceer of Savalu--Curiosity of the Natives--State Constables--Military Dance--Introduction to the Fetish-women--Manufactures--Crane-shooting--Present by Fetish-women--Hospitality of the Caboceer--His Name and those of his Head Men--Wild Grapes--The Zoka--Shrubs--Swim across the Zoka--Mode of Transporting my Luggage--Difficulty in getting my Horse across--Fearlessness of the Dahoman Female Carriers--Bad Roads--Jallakoo--Reception by the Caboceer--My Illness--Appear in Regimentals before the Caboceer--Concern evinced on account of my Illness--Description of the Town--Agriculture--Caboceer’s Name and those of his Head Men--Presents to the Caboceer. August 18th.--We were visited early by the caboceer, who came to wish us good morning, bringing with him another small flask of rum, with which we drank each other’s health. He seemed very desirous to acquaint me with his wealth and power, explaining that he held, under the King of Dahomey, a discretionary power superior to any other caboceer, and also the government of several neighbouring towns in the Mahee country, as well as several large towns in his own country (Annagoo), which he assisted the Dahomans in subduing. Savalu is the frontier town of the Annagoo country, the natives of which are always considered a lawless, marauding people, and habituated to acts of extreme cruelty. In a short time breakfast was brought; after partaking of which we were again invited to the market-place, where many thousands, both old and young, were assembled to see the white man. The crowd was so great, that the ground-keepers were entirely overpowered, although they used their immense whips with great violence and dexterity. It is a singular fact, that the state constables in nearly all the large towns of the Dahoman, Mahee, Fellattah, and Annagoo countries, are selected from deformed persons. Many of them are armed with a bullock’s tail dried with the skin on, and the long hair shaven off. This is a merciless weapon when used with both hands, which is frequently the case when authority is resisted. The offending parties are compelled to kneel down, and to place a hand on each knee, the body bending forward towards the constable, who inflicts his blows longitudinally on the back. This is a very severe punishment, and is the mode adopted for minor offences through the whole Dahoman kingdom. A dozen is the greatest number I ever knew inflicted at one time on the same person.