WJS BUILD FOR THE KING. 
241 
chiefs, and we learned the particulars from the Krepe, 
Kwabena, who always accompanied his master to the 
council. The king asked his councillors what was now 
to be done ? He had heard from Akwamu that many- 
European soldiers had landed at the Coast, and the 
governor wishing to finish the war during the dry season, 
had joined with the Coast tribes, and was hastening on to 
Coomassie. The Fantees and the white men in the 
centre, on one side an army from Kwau-Kodiabe, and on 
the other a mixed host from Akra, Akwapem, and Akem. 
Amankwa had thrown coals on an ant hill, and now the 
insects were spreading themselves in all directions. 
It was truly no joke this time. From Ada to Cape 
Coast the land swarmed with troops, especially Hausas 
from Lagos, and numbers of white men. As usual great 
weakness was manifested. Guards were dispatched in 
every direction to prevent the possibility of flight, and to 
press in all capable of bearing arms, while the king 
grumbled and accused Amankwa Tia. 
There were indeed signs of evil omen, but we knew on 
whom to cast our care, and were assured that many 
prayers were ascending on our behalf. The king sent a 
messenger to the interior to a renowned moslem, begging 
for medicine to the value of a hundred peredwanes, for 
the destruction of his enemies, and then gave orders for 
his army to return over the Prah, promising to have 
branches thrown across to help them. After these pre- 
parations he danced all night, and in the morning 
(October 20th) proceeded to Bantama to perform fetish, 
and offer two human sacrifices. He saluted us, and I 
went to work, glad to be freed from the deafening noise 
of his followers. 
Discouraging reports were increasing. The Akems had 
taken three hundred Ashantees, and Amankwa Tia had 
experienced another defeat; thus our last remaining 
E 
