MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
137 
Ahe muskets, the butt ends of which cleared our way to the luggage, 
we fastened on it, with the soldiers, artisans, and our servants, who 
supported us vigorously. The Ashantees did not attempt to fire, 
but attacked us only with their heavy swords and large stones. 
We kept our ground nearly a quarter of an hour, though our belts 
and caps were torn away, and we frequently fell. At this time, 
Mr. Tedlie (who had regained his sword, which had been torn from 
his side) was stunned by a blow on the head, and as all were much 
bruised, and some of the people cut, I contented myself with the 
recovery of the flag, the sextant, and the papers, and we retired 
slowly to the house, not expecting they would follow us ; but they 
did so, with a fury which led me to believe they intended our 
destruction. We posted ourselves in the door-way, and I imme- 
diately dispatched the canes by a back way to the King, to tell 
him we had not yet drawn our swords, but we must do so unless 
he rescued us immediately. The tumult did not allow expostula- 
tion, we had no alternative but to defend ourselves, which the 
marrow passage favoured. The captain, Aboidwee, who was quite 
mad with fury and liquor, made a cut at me as 1 held him from 
me, which would have been fatal but for the presence of mind of 
one of the soldiers, through which it only grazed my face. We 
w^re soon rescued by the presence of Adoocee, the chief Imguist, 
and Yokokroko, the King's chamberlain, with their retinues. 
Nothing could exceed their servility, they offered to swear the 
King was not privy to the outrage, ordered Aboidwee before them, 
and threatened him with the loss of his head. I told them I knew 
the King's controul, and was not to be treated as a fool; he had 
forcibly detained us as prisoners, and must take the consequences; 
I should say no more. They continued their professions and 
entreaties upwards of an hour, and did all they could by their 
menaces to Aboidwee, and their deference to the evidence of our 
