SEEMING LIBERTY, 
193 
observed signs of this in loads of ammunition, rum, and 
salt, continually passing through Fomana, and we felt 
sure that the pride of Ashantee had reached such a height 
that no lasting peace with England could be maintained. 
Most truly should we have rejoiced could we at that 
moment have seen the Prah behind us ! Thus we thought 
while still lingering near the river in November, and 
when our written narrative was resumed on December 
l7th, our apprehensions proved to be well founded, for 
we had then been cruelly driven back again to our old 
prison house. 
We had evidently been sent to Fomana to induce the 
governor to pay the £1000, whilst we were yet in the 
power of Ashantee, and that we might be kept in ignor- 
ance of the preparations for war against the Protectorate, 
which had been decided on for months, but were 
only now openly commencing. Until the end of Novem- 
ber, we waited in suspense the return of the two messen- 
gers, Osei and Owusu Adum, from the coast, wondering 
much as to the means of paying for the costly war 
material always in transit, being certain that no credit 
would be allowed by the governor. We afterwards found 
that prince Ansa, deceived by the fair promises of Owuso 
Kokoo, and hoping to hasten our release, had with another 
friend agreed to stand security for his nephew's (Owusu 
Kokoo's) purchases. 
On December 6th twelve bearers arrived from the 
governor, bringing a letter from prince Ansa, telling us 
he hoped to welcome us in a few days at Mr. Blankson's 
country seat. He regretted Kiihne's refusal to accompany 
the messenger Osei to the Coast, as his arrival there 
would have given the governor confidence in the pay- 
ment of the money, and he thought would have hastened 
our departure. We had declined this, fearing to be 
caught in a trap ; and we soon saw that we were right. 
o 
