SEEMING LIBERTY. 
197 
perceive and very soon made manifest. We had received 
many packages from the Coast, and they knowing this 
supposed we must have hoarded up a great deal of 
money, they required time therefore to make a thorough 
search, but assured us all was right and safe. So here we 
remained still more depressed in spirit than on our first 
captivity, for the three years and a-half had not passed 
without leaving traces behind. We had long had diflS.- 
culty in cherishing any love in our hearts for Ashantee, 
now the measure of their blindness seemed full, and 
punishment deserved. 
Palm's wife being allowed her liberty on the child's 
account, told us that " Pisangs " were being dried at the 
fire, which her former master said were preparing for the 
campaign to the Coast. The promised sheep was now 
brought, with the intimation that the king did not wish 
us to starve, which interpreted meant, " we want it kiUed 
that we may have our share." I coolly told them to do 
as they chose, but we required some soup, so it was soon 
despatched, and as quickly divided, a leg being given to us. 
When asked who could cook for us, I demanded that 
our own servants should be restored, and after a great 
search most of them were permitted to return. We then 
tried to regain possession of some of our property. M. 
Bonnat, attended by a guard, procured a few things and 
a Bible, and Kokoo was permitted to fetch the beds, and 
my watch. 
All my attempts to induce Afirifa to let us sleep 
under our own roof were unavailing, whilst we re- 
-ceived the painful tidings from Kokoo, that Palm and 
Mr. Plange were both lying in the stocks. On the 10th, 
we met Mr. and Mrs. Plange in the presence of the chief. 
Their luggage had been searched, Mr. P. beaten and 
nearly strangled, stripped of all his clothing and placed in 
the stocks ; in which he remained until late in the even- 
