AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 
215 
On the 8th, the king marched in state to Amanghyia, 
to give audience to a messenger from Cape Coast, who 
bore a joint remonstrance from prince Ansa and the 
British governor, warning the monarch against making 
an attack which would risk the loss of his whole army. 
The people had threatened to behead this poor man on 
his journey, but he courageously declined to deliver his 
message to any but the king. 
On the 12th, we were rejoiced by the release of our 
nine bearers, who were sent to work in the plantations 
for Asare. At the little Adae on the 19th, we heard in 
the palace that a sharp encounter had taken place, and 
that the Ashantees had retired to cover their retreat. As 
a matter of course the king danced the Kete all night. 
We were aroused in our first sleep by two young officers 
who entered the yard with torches, crying " Quick, quick, 
the king calls." K. and I hastily dressed — M. B. was in 
the plantation; the king did not want Flange, which 
caused him great apprehension. 
We hurried through the empty town, and to our sur- 
prise met Dawson furnished with pen and ink, which 
reassured us. We went through six courts to the golden 
gates, viz., two small doors inlaid like a chess-board, with 
gold and silver. Here under the decorated pillars of the 
verandah sat the king with a few councillors and inter- 
preters. Seven sword-bearers crouched on the left, and 
on a sign from the king we were seated. 
Instantly a man got up, his hands in a block and a rope 
round his throat, so that we feared there was to be an exe- 
cution. He was a Fantee prisoner or actor who under- 
stood his profession, and was to tell what he knew of the 
war. He said " I am a native of Anamabo, a relative of 
Mr. Blankson. It had long been known that Europeans 
had been captured in Ashantee, and that the heads of 
different governments had applied on their behalf to the 
