230 
MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASH AN TEE. 
almost parsimonious. Mrs. Plange, Palm, and the mace 
bearer of Dawson received but one and a half dollars 
each at the Adae, instead of three, as formerly ; we still 
had nine for three weeks, for which we felt most thank- 
ful, as all our stores were rapidly diminishing. The king's 
behaviour was enigmatical. He often danced "Kete" the 
whole night, and in the morning appeared on the building 
ground in high spirits, seeming to have no cause for an 
anxious thought. 
We suggested to him the propriety, or even necessity,, 
of having but one storey to his new house, not only on 
account of the scarcity of material, but from the fear 
that the walls being damp, would not sustain the weight 
of a second. The caution was useless, " No," he said, " if 
the rain hinders, you can suspend work for a month." 
This decision dashed the sanguine hope of the Fantees, who 
expected when the house was finished, to be sent home. 
For ourselves, we concluded the delay would make little 
difference, and neither hasten or postpone our freedom. 
If we asked for meat or money to provide for our people, 
the king at once complied, but it was always a very long 
time before any supply came. 
On August 8th the first floor was finished, and then 
came a pause of two months, for we could get no saws. 
It seemed also cruel to urge men to work who were 
suffering from hunger, and we could provide no food — 
the folly of beginning to build under such circumstances 
struck us very forcibly. The king doubtless cursed the 
hour when he had allowed his chiefs to draw him into 
war, by promises which were never fulfilled, of supplying^ 
him with treasure from the Coast. Meanwhile the 
Momone women continued dancing and singing bravely. 
On the great Adae (August 10th) the king appeared 
serious and subdued, and when passing the Dampan, on 
which Dawson sat, and the sword was offered him by the 
