14 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE,., 
CHAPTER II. 
The Route, and Reception of the Mission. 
The Mission left Cape Coast Castle on the morning of the 22d of 
April, with the intention of quitting the water side at Moree, three 
miles and a half to the eastward ; but on reaching it, we were told 
that the path thence to Payntree's croom, always bad, was then 
impassable from the rains ; and that we must proceed to Anna- 
maboe before we struck into the bush for the Interior. 
The reluctance of the carriers, who had been pressed into the 
service by the authorities of the town, became thus early almost 
insuperable; the consideration of pay and subsistence, and the 
reflection, that the dearth inflicted by the invasions the Mission 
was to deprecate, allowed them but a bare existence at home, 
were entirely lost in their aversion to the undertaking, which was 
equally influenced by jealousy and indolence : eleven deserted the 
first day; and the slender authority of the King and caboceers of 
Annamaboe, delayed the procuring of others to replace them until 
the next evening. One party was then started, attended by a 
soldier and a messenger, as they persisted in laying down their 
loads, even in the town ; and many of the Annaniaboes who had 
been procured, after lifting their packages, which were of moderate 
weight, walked off again, with the most insolent indifference. The 
devices by which these people displayed their ill will were pecu- 
