THE LITTLE ONE GOES HOME. 
45- 
finally took liim in hand, and the chain was removed. 
We then heard from a slave that two eggs had been 
offered to a Fetish at the spring, and if we were not 
afraid of the idol, we might fetch them. Under the 
escort of a lad, I at once went and succeeded in finding 
them ; it is true they had been laid on the top of some 
oil and yam, yet my wife rejoiced at the treasure. 
We were now told that our next march would be a 
long one, and as we started on it very hungry and with 
scanty supplies, the prospect was dreary enough, but the 
forest still protected us from heat, while a mountain 
stream crossing the path, slaked our thirst. It was after- 
noon before we were allowed to halt for refreshment, and 
after fighting our way for some distance through tall 
stiff grass, our guides discovered that they had missed 
the track ; as it was now impossible to reach Sukoree^. 
we rested for the night at a small plantation village, 
where after the longest day's march we had yet made, an 
unexpected joy awaited us. We had eaten our usual 
spare supper, and had requested some stock yams for the 
child, which were refused, so we took leave to help our- 
selves from the abundance growing around. A violent 
storm drove us to a hut for refuge, and as night had 
fallen, we lay down to sleep unfettered. After a while, 
Ageana came up shouting, " white men, are you asleep ?" 
" Yes," we replied (for " da" in Ashantee signifies both 
" sleeping" and " lying down"). Upon this he left us, and 
for the first time for seven weeks we had the delight of 
resting our weary limbs unchained. 
As we approached Ashantee proper, we were struck by 
the increasing fertility and richness of the well-watered 
country. In the vicinity of every important place the 
roads were good, and sometimes for miles together, suit- 
able for traffic. Near the entrance of each village, we 
noticed jars, sticks, corn, and eggs heaped up as an offer- 
