48 ARRIVAL AT CAPE COAST. 



fact, that this last resource has never yet been 

 known to fail — in fact, the stick alone is gene- 

 rally all-sufficient. In addition to this, there 

 is a certain charge for putting a prisoner into 

 irons, and another for taking him out again ; 

 another for his lodging in the castle while con- 

 fined, and another to the constable for locking up. 

 I had often heard of Dutch colonial tyranny, 

 but could not have imagined it carried to such 

 an extent ; nor could I have imagined that the 

 natives would have submitted to it. 



The trade of Axim is entirely in the hands of 

 the governor, and a fine of two ounces of gold is 

 levied on any native trading direct with a Eu- 

 ropean vessel. By great exertion we succeeded 

 in getting a little firewood on board, for which 

 we had to pay an extravagant price to his excel- 

 lency. 



Departing from Axim, we arrived at Cape 

 Coast on the 9th, where we found the Columbine 

 awaiting our arrival. She had made a good pass- 

 age after parting with us off Sierra Leone, and 

 had been at her present anchorage nearly three 

 weeks. 



At Cape Coast Castle we received the great- 

 est attention and kindness from the governor. 



