EBENEZER. 
91 
three months. White garments, the sign of rejoicing,, 
were universal; and many painted themselves with 
white earth. 
Prince Ansa on the contrary seemed depressed. He 
was expecting to be allowed to return to the coast in 
October, and yet he could not get an audience of the 
king. He had, as has already been noticed, come here 
fuir years previously with a commission from the 
English Government, but had not been allowed to write 
any letters in his official capacity for three years. Ha 
wished to purchase from us the coral beads Avhich K. 
had concealed in his hat, but even this little transaction 
could not be completed without the king's permission ; so 
truly is this a land of fear, where no man trusts his 
neighbour. The prince had also adopted a little child 
who would otherwise have been exposed in the bush, but 
it died notwithstanding his care. 
About this time Adu Kwaku left us in order to look 
after his wife in Purumasee, who was seriously ill after 
her confinement. He begged a sua of gold from us to 
propitiate the fetish who was killing his wife, but we 
told him we had nothing to do with fetish. She died,, 
and we gave the customary presents to purchase mats, 
&c. ; we were glad to hear that the child was living, and 
would not be buried with its mother, acccording to tha 
custom of the country. 
On October 2nd, we were surprised by a visit from a 
Dutch official, Mr. J. S. Mensa, who had lived in Coom- 
assie since the 4th of July. As he spoke Dutch, he under- 
stood a good deal of our German ; we also addressed him 
in English; this excited the suspicion of the Ashantee 
chief who accompanied him, making liim suppose we were 
English also. After a short time, Mr. M. left us, taking 
with him a letter which M. Bonnat entrusted to his 
charge. . • 
