Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/328



Badagry, on the north bank of the Ossa, here 550 yards wide, is the first English town met on the Slave Coast going eastwards. It was formerly the capital of a kingdom, and the largest slave market on the whole seaboard. Richard Lander

relates that, at the time of his visit in 1880, the supply far exceeded the demand, and the old and infirm were then got rid of by being thrown to the sharks. Others, reserved for the sacrifices, had their hearts torn out, which were eagerly devoured by the king, his wives, and chiefs. Lander himself had to drink the poisoned cup to prove his innocence of a crime, but escaped by taking a timely emetic.