220 
MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE. 
together at tlie Lord's table. Two of these people, Peter 
Asaba and his wife Martha, gave us great joy by their 
consistent Christian conduct; they hved with us, and 
often united in prayer. Peter was earnestly striving 
to learn to read and write. 
My wife's health had become a subject of great anxiety 
to me, and made it necessary to seek rest and change of 
air at the plantation. I entreated Bosommuru to refrain 
from suddenly visiting us, as any shock increased the 
irritability of her over-excited nerves. 
Songs of lamentation were now sung every night before 
the king, and news again came of a battle and heavy loss 
to the Ashantees, who lay like " corn on the threshing- 
floor," under the fire of the enemy's guns. The prince of 
Mampong was reported among the wounded ; and the 
rumours spread, although the Ashantees allowed " no one 
to speak of this war on pain of death." 
The king's conduct grew more and more strange. On 
the 29th of April he summoned the Fantees from the sur- 
rounding villages to sing and dance before him, and when 
they came sent them back, but a day or two after recalled 
them, when about thirfcy-five performed. He rewarded 
them by some rum and eighteen dollars, told them of his 
good- will to their nation, and that he would soon restore 
them to their country. He also presented our three 
native christians with some old military dresses, in which 
■of course they looked ridiculous. These too he assured 
of a speedy restoration, as he had nothing against the 
Akwapems, and but one thing against Denkjera. He in- 
vited my wife and Mrs. Plange with Rosie, but the former 
was too ill to go, so Mrs. Plange took Rosie with her 
nurse, returning in an hour and a half. 
The king and his aunt, for whom the visit was chiefly 
intended, were much pleased. The little thing played 
with a cat, and amused herself by adorning her foot with 
