WU BUILD FOE THE KING. 
227 
The kind of house we were to build remained undecided. 
I drew a plan of one fifty-three feet long, without stories 
and galleries on one side. The king wished to have them 
all round ; but it was difficult to get the beams for their 
support. There were only two sawyers, the others were 
but learners ; as until the Fantees had seen sawing at the 
mission house, they had no idea of it. Counting J oseph 
our servant, we had but three carpenters, to whom the 
king gave a set of tools. 
Whilst waiting for wood we proceeded with the pre- 
paration of sun-burnt bricks for the walls, covering them 
with banana leaves, which were not water-tight, yet 
answered the purpose, as but little rain fell at that time. 
Necessary materials were always freely promised, and as 
certainly never ready when wanted. The ICth was fixed 
for the laying of the foundation stone, and we wished to 
write a short account of the circumstance as a memorial 
of the building ; but they were so fearful of our witchcraft 
that they jealously watched our every movement. 
When the king understood that the ceremony which 
Mr. D. described as done in Europe could be performed 
in the evening, he expressed a wish to be present, and 
enquired by Owusu Kokoo if we required a sheep, which 
we declined, although we were always thankful for any 
gift. We were ready at two o'clock and waited for him, 
till heavy rain came down, from which we had no pro- 
tection but the workmen's sheds, so we turned our steps 
homewards. On the way we met the princes with a 
sheep and some gold, who ordered our return, and com- 
manded the business to proceed notwithstanding the 
king's absence, delivering the sheep to us, with thirty-six 
dollars, and nine for the six Ashantees. Mr. D. took 
some of the money, laid it in the hole, and prayed that 
God would give the king wisdom, he then adjusted the 
stone, and covered it with earth. The people wanted to 
