80 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE. 
as it was so costly, it must be sparingly used. Upon this 
we mentioned that the half was always claimed by our 
guards ; thus provoking the wrath of Ageana to such a 
fearful degree that I took up a thin piece of wood and 
wrote a few words with my pencil to Bosommuru, begging 
him to come and say a word to the old man, who, on 
seeing us hand the writing to the bearer of the salt, 
thought it best to cease his abuse. 
The king himself came over in a few days, and was not 
a little surprised, like the South Sea Islanders, that a 
piece of wood could speak. He ordered Ageana to be 
called, who at first denied the offence, but at length 
pleaded guilty, and received a severe rebuke, with orders 
that for the future he and his people should treat us well. 
He was glad to get oflT so easily, and his outward conduct 
improved, though he gave no evidence of real kindness of 
feeling. I then told the king of the wretched condition 
of our huts, causing us to be drenched by every shower. 
A court official was sent to inspect them, and the village 
chief was ordered to repair them, but they were not made 
water-tight. 
On the 14th, Bosommuru, through whom we had com- 
munication with the court, brought us a letter from the 
missionaries, Schrenk and Eisenschmidt, with a chest 
containing some personal necessaries, and a most welcome 
supply of paper. A present for the king, which had been 
enclosed, never reached us; a piece of stuff too, which 
had been sent for ourselves, so pleased him that he sent 
to enquire the price, and we thought it best to give it, 
whereupon we received a sheep in return, and a sua of gold 
dust, which, alas ! were taken possession of by our people. 
There was one remark in the letter of our breth- 
ren which distressed us, namely, that they would not 
be able to continue this connection with us from Be- 
goro. We concluded they were acting thus, under the 
