MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
157 
torches and music instantly encircled me, and I was conducted to 
old Payntree's residence, who had built himself a new house 
somewhat in the Ashantee fashion. An excellent bed was pre- 
pared for me of an accumulation of mats and country cloths, and 
a famous supper of soups, stews, fruit, and palm wine. Quamina 
Bootaqua paid his respects, and old Payntree, Amooney King of 
Annamaboe, and two or three other caboceers, unknown to me, 
made a long adulatory speech, complimenting my ability, bewailing 
my hardships, and magnifying their obligations. I was requested 
to seat myself on old Payntree's state stool, whilst they stood 
around me, and he begged me to Hsten to an air composed by his 
band on the occasion of the embassy, and its successful termina- 
tion ; " all would now be well, and Fantee revive and flourish."' I 
sat up till midnight, vainly expecting Mr. Tedlie and the soldiers ; 
they awoke me by their arrival before sun rise ; they had passed 
the night in a sound hut, on the path, which from the want of a 
torch had escaped my notice. 
Hearing, as I expected, that there w^as a path from Payntree to 
Cape Coast Castle, avoiding Annamaboe (whence the Mission had 
departed), I determined to explore it, and Payntree furnished me 
with a guide. The country was. beautifully diversified with hill 
and dale, but the soil was generally lighter and more gravelly than 
that between Annamaboe and Payntree. We passed through 
several groves of guava trees, and all the other tropical fruits 
abounded. Occasionally there were small plantations of Guinea 
corn, where a few wretched Fantees still lurked in the ruins of the 
crooms the Ashantees had destroyed. We passed through eleven 
which had been considerable, and now presented but a few mud 
houses scattered over extensive sites. Their names were Assequah, 
Daooramong, Amparoo,Taachoo, Coorikirraboo,Perridjoo, Abikar- 
rampa, Aquoitee, Miensa, and Amosima. The only water was near 
