170 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE. 
His excellency, Mr Hennesy, bad already proclaimed tliat 
the way to the Coast was open to every Ashantee, without 
reference to the prince. Akjampong, who was sent by the 
Dutch to Kwantiabo, was said to be no longer in custody, 
and might be expected in Coomassie in a month. This we 
had long dreaded, knowing well how this proud, cruel 
man would let loose the bridal of his hatred against 
all Europeans, and turn the heads of the people. The 
double-tongued Afirifa, too, was expected with his friends 
from the Prah, the man who above all others urged the 
king to insist on a ransom. Mr. Plange was likewise on 
the road with presents from both the Colonial Govern- 
ments, among which was a gigantic mirror, so difficult to 
transport that the king was requested to light the path 
through the forest, that it might not be damaged. We 
did not anticipate that Mr. Plange would intercede for 
our release, and could only trust in the Lord for help in 
His own good time. 
It was now exactly three years on June 12th since we 
had been taken prisoners. How little we should have 
believed it, had we then been told that we could have 
sustained a three years' captivity. But the darker the 
prospect the more earnestly did we desire to do something 
for the Ashantees, and I arranged a room in the adjoin- 
ing building for reading and praying, hoping that it 
would also serve for a school-room. 
I had for some time been trying to collect a few poor 
children on Sundays, showing them pictures, singing to 
them and telling them of the Saviour's love, and more came 
than I had ventured to expect — why therefore might I not 
try to teach them daily ? I spoke to them of my wish, and 
they not only expressed anxiety to learn, but offered to help 
in the repairs. We opened an entrance from the street 
that they might come straight into the school-room, and 
as they entered the scene moved me beyond expression. 
