ABSTRACT
Old Duke Ephraim, who died in 1834, had begun to weaken his own fanlily by having some of them put to death who might covet his property, as '\\7ell as rivals who nlight rejoice in his decease. After his death the work of destruction was continued by the late Eyamba, to remove opponents of his elevation out of his way, and the Ephraim family were the chief sufferers. Young Eyo told Dle that, one way and another, above two hundred free people died for Duke Ephraim, besides slaves without number. He had seen the devil house erected for him, which was covered roof and sides with the skulls of the victims. Eyaulba designed to break down the Ephraim family altogether; and the sudden death of John Duke, in 1846, ,vas attributed to that cause. The only considerable person of that family renlaining was Ephraim Duke, formerly mentioned as one of the competitors after Eyamba's death, and who now renewed his claims. Mr. Young was again his rival, and had begun to sign his name "Eyamba VI." Him and his, therefore, the Ephrainl party resolved to get rid off, and the farm slaves were ready to help on the design; for these people, beside their attachment to the family of their old master, the great Duke, had an enmity to the others for their cruelty, mingled with contelnpt for their poverty.
