I 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 19 
much higher. The bearers had all settled themselves here, and not 
contented with a long rest, refused for some time to proceed until the 
next day ; several were intoxicated with the rum from some ankers 
they had designedly broken. We started again however about 
half past three, and almost immediately entered a large forest 
impervious to the sun ; the risings were frequent but gentle ; the 
path, crooked and overgrown, presented such constant obstacles 
to a hammock, that Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Tedlie, and myself, were 
glad to dismount, and found it was much more comfortable as well 
as more expeditious to walk; the only inconvenience was the 
troops of large black ants, which were too thick to be avoided, and 
stung us sadly. We passed two little streams running E. N. E. 
About six miles from Cottacoomacasa we found all the baggage, 
the people making their fires, and settling themselves for the night; 
it was almost dark ; Quamina, our Ashantee guide, had gone on 
without us, and Mr. James we knew must be far behind; we 
therefore determined to halt for the night, and our hammocks were 
slung to the trees. The distance marched this day was twelve 
miles. The longitude of Cottacoomacasa was one mile E. of that 
of Payntree by account, that of our resting place 1° 46' 30' W\ and 
the lat. 5° 28' N. 
The next morning we continued our march through the same 
dark solitude, and passing three small streams running E. we 
reached Mansue soon after ten o'clock. We had scarcely seated 
ourselves under a tattered shed, which could not defend us from 
the burning sun, when we were encircled by the cooking fires of 
the party, and nothing but violence could remove them to a proper 
distance. 
Mansue had been the great Eantee market for slaves from the 
Inlerior,^ and its former consequence was evident from the extent 
of its site, over which a few sheds only were now scattered. 
