EBENEZER. 
77 
call on his white men. He took his place on this occasion 
in the centre of the village, on a bench formed of palm 
branches, under a roof of leaves, with about sixty people 
sitting before him. 
Forgetful of courtly etiquette, for '^necessity has no 
law," I took this opportunity of laying aside my coat, 
and, with an exclamation, " Oh king ! I pray thee look 
here," I showed him my uncovered back, and the 
remains of my tattered shirt. The Ashantee custom of 
giving presents liberally at the outset to gain a good 
name, had caused reports to reach us from the coast, that 
we had been overladen with gifts. We had certainly 
received another ox, but the present was accompanied by 
a swarm of bees, in the shape of a motley crowd, furnished 
with knives and sacks, to cut and carry away the spoil, 
so that we had difficulty in securing a moderate 
portion for our own share, and could hardly spare enough 
to dry some slices, and make a few sausages well seasoned 
with pepper for future use. Later on, a year passed 
without any gift whatever. 
I have mentioned two huts erected for our use. One 
of those was occupied by our keeper Ageana, the other 
by ourselves. M. Bonnat at first slept in the village, but 
spent his days with us. In due time Ageana built a 
third hut, and allowed M. B. the use of the one he 
forsook, which was then shared with Opoko. The latter 
worthy was afflicted with a contagious eruption, so M. 
Bonnat contrived a wall of rushes, and in his own divi- 
sion was kept our dried meat and sausages. It was a 
dainty apartment for a store-room, and alas! it was open 
to thieves, who carried away so much as to alarm us. 
Upon this, M. Bonnat's diplomatic talents came to our 
aid. He actually succeeded, though not without some 
painful resistance, in inducing Opoko to find other quar- 
ters, and make room for Mr. K. in his place. Having 
