238 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE. 
ceeded in making six pounds of syrup or molasses, but 
could not crystalize it. 
September 10th, the king at length opened his purse 
<and sent us seventy-two dollars ; of these the carpenters 
received eighteen, and the thirty labourers the same sum, 
but the sawyers were forgotten ; we had our share, and 
tried to procure something extra for the sawyers who had 
the hardest work, and were treated most inconsiderately. 
Ten days ago they brought eight beautiful planks as a 
present for his majesty, but when boards were wanted for 
the prince's coffin, six of these were taken without cere- 
mony. Sometimes the king comes to the building ground, 
gives the men brandy, and orders them to dance and sing 
before him till they are very merry ; this is intended to 
make up for every disappointment. 
September 20th, the king came to see the verandah, 
^t which we had worked very closely. Instead of thanks, 
he only remarked that we did nothing. He took no 
account of the rainy days, but thought the house ought 
to have been finished long before. We were told that he 
very much wished to show the finished house to his 
<ihiefs to make them ashamed, because they had sworn to 
bring the governor's castle bodily to Ashantee. He had 
gained a house from the Fantees without war ! Building 
in West Africa is certainly no child's play, and in this 
case our patience was put to a very severe test. 
At last, September 5th, after great exertion, the front 
verandah was erected. His majesty rejoiced like a child, 
and gave an ox to Mr. D., and eighteen dollars to the 
dancing Fantees, but instead of rewarding the poor 
sawyers as he had promised, he complained that they 
had sold several planks to his cousin, a man who was 
within a hair's breadth of becoming king in his stead, 
and whom he regarded with great jealousy. In his anger 
he explained " that should not happen again ; he would 
