IF THE POWER OF THE ASHANTEES. 
7 
CHAPTER HI 
IN THE POWER OF THE ASHANTEES. 
It was a lovely morning; all nature smiled upon our 
pleasant little station, and the brilliant sunbeams struck 
rays of hope into our hearts, so that it almost seemed as 
if our fears of the previous night had been groundless. 
After breakfasting comfortably, we occupied ourselves 
with our usual duties. 
But while engaged in the verandah, my wife observed 
the glitter of arms among the tall grass bordering the 
footpath which led to the town. A troop of warriors 
soon appeared, greeting us civilly in their own language, 
but at the same time pointing their guns. We advanced^ 
calmly enquiring from whence they came. "We are 
friends from Coomassie," said they, and beckoned us to 
approach. They took our offered hands, and when we 
assured them we were missionaries, having nothing to do 
with the war, but quietly remaining when all others had 
fled, they withdrew their loaded guns, adding that " we 
were quite right," and begging us to accompany them to 
their leader, who was close at hand and wished to see us ; 
meanwhile, they would guard our station, which might 
otherwise suffer from his pilfering crew. 
Having really no choice, we, at their suggestion, arrayed 
ourselves in our best to do the chief honour, took a little 
refreshment, and followed our guides. I pocketed a few 
presents, and my wife took two tins of milk, the baby's 
bottle, and a warm woollen rug — why, she hardly knew. 
