THE RELEASE OF THE REST. 
285 
did we want with fresh men ? But pohteness on our 
part was inevitable, for were we not still prisoners, and 
likely to remain so for at least the next three-quarters of an 
hour ! So we waited patiently, till allowed to resume 
our journey, wondering whether we were to be stopped 
any more. It seemed not, for we now lost sight of the 
band of soldiers, and every step of the journey carried us 
on to freedom. No one wished to linger; no one felt 
fatigue. M. B. formed the vanguard, while I as rear- 
guard hurried on the bearers, with promises of rest when 
we should all be free. This inducement winged the steps 
of all, as may be readily imagined. With rapid tread, and 
yet noiselessly, like fugitives, we fled past the majestic 
trees ol the ancient forest. 
Suddenly our procession halted. "What is it?" I asked. 
" Here are your countrymen," was the glad response ! I ran 
forward, and found standing beside M. Bonnat two hussars 
and a young officer, whose weapons were two revolvers and 
a carbine. He welcomed us with much emotion ; but I 
cannot describe the feelings that overwhelmed us at this 
moment ! We grasped his hands, as one can only grasp 
the hand of a deliverer : when I tried to speak, my tongue 
failed, and tears were all the thanks I could offer. 
Our net was broken at last, and with the sense of free- 
dom, the whole world was given back to us. Lieutenant 
Hart sent word immediately to his superiors, and in 
a few minutes Major Russell and other officers appeared, 
greeting us cordially, wishing us every happiness, and 
inviting us to their table. 
But here we had to learn that we were ignorant of the 
strictness of military discipline. If, before leaving Coo- 
massie, we had hoped to do something for our Ashantee 
guides, we now found ourselves unable to carry out these 
intentions. The poor lads were not a little frightened on 
being at once parted from us, and conducted to a separate 
