224 
MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE, 
CHAPTEE XXVII. 
WE BUILD FOR THE KING. 
The king had suddenly been seized with the idea that 
as prisoners it was right we should work for him, and 
ambassadors, missionaries, and christian Fantees, were 
all required to unite in building him a European house. 
On Sunday morning (May 25th) Mr. Dawson entered, and 
with a very grave face told us that the king intended 
to call us Coast people together, to accompany him to 
Amanghyia, and there to erect for him a house. Although 
struck with this strange caprice, which reminded us of 
Israel in Egypt — D. begged his majesty to allow us to- 
spend our Sunday in peace. 
On his way to us he had encountered some natives 
painted red, acting a tragedy (Sokada) and dancing, as. 
if possessed, to the mournful music of the horn; they 
approached him in a threatning attitude, crying, as he 
tried to avoid them, " He who fights is he who dies." 
"I am Kari-Kari's slave and fear none." These words, 
sounded alarming, but there seemed no reason to fear 
danger to our lives, while so many Ashantees were in 
the hands of the English. 
Whether we should be allowed to remain in Coomassie 
to witness the return of the army and its humiliation 
appeared, however, doubtful. The king, it had been said, 
was preparing the house in Amanghyia, to be inhabited 
by Europeans, and we therefore thought it probable our 
little dwelling would be stripped, and we have to return, 
to our former life of privation. 
