258 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE, 
are being killed at the Coast whilst you are going about 
free : Is that right ? " Kwado declared that they had 
been robbed, and five Ashantees slain at Cape Coast; and 
that if the king's letter had not arrived which announced 
that the white men were alive, the Ashantees would all 
have been killed. Upon this D. advised him to take care, 
as all he then affirmed would be written to the governor 
and he would have to be the bearer of the letter. 
Finally, D. received instructions to write a letter which 
showed plainly that the Ashantees were afraid, and would 
gladly make peace if they knew how. The king com- 
plained that the governor had attacked his retreating army, 
and had taken away their wounded and prisoners — that 
Ashantees had been slain at the Coast, and his messengers 
plundered and locked up. These things proved how 
desirable was peace and friendship ! D. was entreated to 
write forcibly, and merit the name of _a Bedae. 
Asiedu was to have carried this letter, and I had hastily 
written a few enclosures, but when the interpreters and 
Bosommuru had signed their names, it was suddenly ob- 
served that Asiedu was far too mature, it would be better to 
choose as messenger a Fantee boy, who could not say 
much. Aseidu, it was feared, had received verbal instruc- 
tions from Mr. D., and saw too plainly the real state of 
things. D.'s boy, Robert, a lad of sixteen, was therefore 
chosen in his stead, and hurriedly dismissed, under the 
escort of a herald, without having an opportunity of 
speaking a confidential word with his master. 
So far had matters progressed, when on December 31st, 
we were able thankfully to record how graciously we had 
been brought through this trying year, and to beseech 
our faithful Lord to give us steadfastness, and to continue 
to preserve us throughout all our dangers and troubles. 
The 1st of January, 1874 (a day of delightful enjoyment 
at our missionary stations, where all were uniting in fresh 
