TEE RELEASE OF THE REST. 
283 
the queen mother," had been officially ordered to board us. 
The sword-bearer went out after whispering to the 
chief that if the enemy approach he was to retire. The 
chief now sent us some game and yams; he could not 
give a sheep, for " Amankwa's army had devoured every- 
thing." We were just sitting in the twilight at our 
" fufu," when our first messenger returned. He had really 
visited the camp of Dsomo, the chief of Mampong, and 
brought an interpreter back with him, whom the friendly 
prince offered us as an escort. Little did I think that this 
brave Dsomo would so soon meet his death in the battle- 
field. I was glad that my presentiment of treachery was 
unfounded ; still we knew that at any moment the king's 
decisions might be altered, and thus we were glad when 
the sword-bearer proposed an early move. 
In the morning (January 23rd) I awoke my people be- 
times, bidding them boil rice for the whole party, and add- 
ing that we should not rest till we had reached the white 
men, so no one was to buy anything on the road. All must 
resolve to exert themselves to the utmost. When we 
reached Akankawase, not a woman was to be seen ; this 
showed us the near approach of the enemy, but the men 
met us there as everywhere else, in a friendly spirit. Our 
freedom seemed to lighten all hearts, for in their eyes we 
were the only cause of the war. 
Meanwhile we heard by Dawson's boy, that Obeng, 
who had been obliged to flee from Fomana and was now 
stationed near Adubiase, intended to meet us on the road 
and bring us a parting salutation, A curious idea, this 
seemed to us, for we certainly felt we had seen quite 
enough of Obeng already. I walked the greater part of 
the way in spite of my lameness, inciting, urging, and 
h\irrying the whole company ; encouraging everyone by 
the prospect of freedom within two hours, my heart beat- 
ing wildly all the time. 
