THE RELEASE OF THE REST. 
277 
from the Prah would the enemy approach, she would be 
attacked on all sides. We are now before you for the 
last time," concluded D., " and beg the queen mother to 
intercede with the king, that he may let us and the other 
prisoners leave. We, on our part, solemnly engage to do 
our best to avert further calamities." 
Boakje and his sister-in-law promised to prefer our re- 
quest at once, and at nine o'clock we were called into the 
palace, but had to wait until eleven o'clock. Summoned 
at length to enter, we found the king, looking very de- 
pressed, in the fourth court, on a broad verandah sur- 
rounded by fifteen chiefs, and his mother beside him. 
Mr. D. had to repeat what had been already said, which 
he did, though with some degree of nervousness. The 
king at once exclaimed : " Yes, but where are the £1000 
ransom ? " For such a question we were not prepared, 
and knew not at the moment how to answer it. Mr. 
Dawson begged him to consider our words ; nothing hav- 
ing been said in the governor's letter about the £1000. 
I then ventured to add : " The great concern now is that 
peace be secured ; if this is done money matters will be 
satisfactorily settled." " £1000 has been promised me," 
rejoined he, "before this is paid 1 cannot let you go." 
Hereupon we repeated why we had begged for our freedom, 
not in the first instance on our own account, but because 
the thought of Ashantee's ruin was so painful to us, and 
we longed to save further bloodshed. " We promise, and 
if you wish, we will swear that the governor will keep his 
word if you will send us all : that is what he asks from 
you." 
Dark and depressed the king turned to his councillors, 
spoke half aloud to his mother, and then called out, 
"Who will go? Whom shall I send to the governor?" 
Then (receiving no answer), as though he would act the 
man and hide his fear, he continued, turning to me, " You 
