278 , MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE. 
Susse, you go." I shuddered at the thought — " Leave my 
wife and children here ? " I asked. " Yes, you go and 
come back." This was like cold water on our hopes ; we 
all protested " nothing would be gained by this, as the 
governor intended to have all the prisoners ; " in short I 
said at last, " I will not go alone." Dawson then added 
that " he would remain in Coomassie with his people as a 
hostage." M. Bonnat advanced, and offered, in case the 
king felt any mistrust, " to come back himself, so assured 
was he that the general would keep his word." The king 
was silent, gazed vacantly before him, then suddenly 
turned and said, "Go, go, and tell my good friend the 
governor that I did not march against him. Amankwa 
Tia attacked the fort contrary to my commands, I have 
nothing against the white men, go and speak a good word 
with the governor." 
Hardly believing our ears, we advanced and thanked 
the king and his council, as those whose lives had been 
given them. Still we were afraid to trust, for although 
the king ordered two men to accompany us, they were 
quite common persons ; if the order were meant in earnest, 
why should not Owusu Kokoo, or at least some under 
chief attend us ? " Besides," we asked, " whom did the 
king include in the command ' go.' " Probably only the 
white men, so D. again protested that the governor wanted 
all the prisoners, Fantees, Akwapems, Akras; and alluded 
at the same time to the remaining condition of peace — 
the payment of 50,000 ounces of gold. This provoked the 
king. " What," he angrily exclaimed, " Is it not enough 
if I send you, am I to give up the Fantees too ? " His 
mother was also greatly excited, but we could not under- 
stand her, for the tumult grew prodigious, and as soon as 
the king began to storm, everyone else sprang up swear- 
ing and shouting in the wildest confusion. 
The interpreters accused D. of wishing to deceive the 
