182 
MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASIIANTEE. 
pointment told upon him and depressed his spirits, so 
that I much desired speedy freedom for him, whilst we, 
having better health, might remain yet. Our Rosie was 
a year old and strong for her age ; our delight in her 
greatly softened our affliction, especially when she took 
her first step alone. 
Mr. Plange remained with us, while a royal messenger 
was despatched to the Coast with a determined answer 
to his demands, which had been fully discussed in council. 
Kiihne too wrote to the P'overnor, tellino^ him that the 
chiefs here had the upper hand, and would gladly draw 
the king into another war ; M. Bonnat and I added a few 
lines begging that if possible K.'s liberty might be 
brouo;ht about. 
The king privately represented to Plange how unwisely 
he had behaved. He professed himself in favour of 
peace, but said the overbearing chiefs insisted on a ransom 
in gold. He also dared to boast how well he provided for 
us (nine dollars for five persons for three weeks !) without 
our working for it. He had of course observed K.'s deli- 
cate health, and would have given him a wife if he had 
only asked him, to which the ambassador replied that 
missionaries were not so easily satisfied in the choice of a 
wife, and the best thing was to send the sick man to the 
Coast at once. 
The king was however not to be persuaded, though he 
hinted that he might eventually take £1500, and finished 
by making a request that the governor should send him 
five casks of chalk, and all sorts of oil colours to restore 
his stone house ; also clocks, bells, waterproof boots, &;c. 
Ansa's nephew, Owusu Kokoo, a man whom we could 
trust, whom the king regarded as his grandson, and 
made the only channel for confidential communication 
with the Coast, was despatched with these requests. How 
childish would this behaviour appear to the governor. 
