ITH WOLSELEY 
 TO KUMASI 
 
 TALE OF THE FIRST ASHANTI WAR 
 
 BY CAPT. F.S.BRERETON. 
 
RARY 
 
 tK ITY OF J 
 IfORNIA / 
 
 RECOIM 
 

 
With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
THE ENEMY BOARD THE LAUN'CH 
 
With 
 Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 A Tale of the First Ashanti War 
 
 BY 
 
 CAPTAIN F. S. BRERETON 
 
 Author of 
 
 '•With Roberts to Candahar" "The Dragon of Pekin" "Foes of the 
 
 Red Cockade" "A Soldier of Japan" "Roger the Bold" 
 
 etc '^tc. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY GORDON BROWNE, R.I. 
 
 BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED 
 
 NEW YORK. LONDON GLASGOW DUBLIN BOMBAY 
 
Copyright, igoj 
 by Blache & Son, Limited. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 I. A Great Misfortune 
 
 II. A Gallant Rescue . 
 
 III. A Mining Expedition 
 
 IV, A Chase and a Fight 
 V. A Question of Importance 
 
 VI. Forest Dangers . . . 
 
 VII. Forewarned is Forearmed 
 
 VIII. Besiegers and Besieged . 
 
 IX. Deceiving the Enemy . 
 
 X. A Natht: Fleet . . . 
 
 XI. Running the Gauntlet 
 
 XII. In Home Waters . . . 
 
 XIII. On Special Service . . 
 
 XIV. A Brush with the Enemy 
 XV. Bluejackets, Charge! 
 
 XVI. News from Ashanti 
 
 XVII. A Well-laid Scheme 
 
 XVIII. King Koffee, the Terrible 
 
 XIX. Dick Strikes a Blow . . 
 
 XX. The Destruction of Kumasi 
 
 A/ 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PACE 
 
 The Enemy Board the Launch .... Frontispiece 187 
 
 "He Fell with a Splash into the Water" .... 64 
 
 Johnnie brings Bad News 107 
 
 "The Blade Flashed beneath his Arm" 130 
 
 They Sight a British War-Vessel 198 
 
 "Olr Agent was Killed at the First Discharge" . . 216 
 
 "Dick felt the cruel sting of the Lashes" .... 295 
 
 "Dick Struck with the Swiftness of Lightning" . . 322 
 
 Map of the Gold Coast showing the Route of the Kx- 
 
 PEDiTiON 256 
 
CHAPTER I 
 A Great Misfortune 
 
 Dick Stapletox tossed restlessly on his bamboo bed, 
 till the rickety legs creaked ominously and the mos- 
 quito net waved to and fro, threatening to descend 
 upon his head. The heat was stifling. Inside his 
 room the thermometer stood at an unusual height, even 
 for this Gold Coast country, where high readings are 
 a common occurrence, and where hot nights are the 
 rule rather than the exception. The windows of the 
 house in which he slept, or vainly attempted fo do so, 
 were thrown wide open, but despite that fact, they ad- 
 mitted nothing but the deep and ever-recurring boom 
 of the surf, which beats upon the sandy beach of the 
 Fanti country without ceasing. Boom ! Boom ! The 
 thunder of the waves seemed to shake even the land, 
 while in his mind's eye Dick could see the spray rise 
 high, and then fall back as white as milk, seething and 
 foaming, to be swallowed by the next breaker as it 
 curled its green crest on to the sand. Not a breath 
 stirred on this sultry night. The leaves on the forest 
 trees within a stone's-throw of the house made no 
 movement. Nothing, in fact, appeared to have the 
 energy- for movement on this night save the myriad 
 
2 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 mosquitoes, which seemed to revel in the heat, and an 
 occasional beast in the forest, whose piercing cry was 
 wont at one time to startle our hero. 
 
 "Oh, for a breeze!" sighed Dick. "If only a cool 
 wind would play into the room a fellow might fall 
 asleep. This mosquito net stifles me, and yet I dare 
 not throw it aside or I shall be well-nigh eaten. I feel, 
 too, as if I had a little fever, and that is just the very 
 thing I wish to avoid. I've work before me; difficul- 
 ties to set aside, and — and affairs to arrange." 
 
 For some reason his hand sought for a box deposited 
 beneath the bed, and his fingers touched the lock to 
 make sure that it was closed, 
 
 "All that stands between me and starvation," said 
 Dick. "Just a bare two hundred pounds in gold, a 
 store almost depleted of goods, and two houses which 
 no one seems to want. There's the business, too, and 
 James Langdon." 
 
 For a while his thoughts went to the man whose 
 name he had mentioned, and he brooded uneasily. 
 
 "He ought to go," he said to himself. "Father 
 trusted him, I know ; but I am sure of his dishonesty. 
 He has been robbing the store for years, and he will 
 rob me if I let him stay. He is a sneaking half-caste, 
 a rogue who cannot be trusted, and if it were not for 
 father he should be dismissed. Well, to-morrow I 
 will go into the matter. I'm tired to-night. If only 
 it were not so frightfully hot !" 
 
 Dick was peevish and out of temper. He had worked 
 hard all day, and was very tired, for the heat had been 
 great. And now that he had thrown himself on his 
 bed he could not sleep. The old worries filled his 
 
A Great Misfortune 3 
 
 mind, only instead of being lessened, the silence of the 
 night, the droning insects, the shrill cries from the for- 
 ests, and the deep boom of the surf, intensified his 
 difTiciilties. till they sat upon his young shoulders like 
 a millstone. Presently, however, he fell into a doze, 
 and later his deep breathing showed that he was asleep. 
 Asleep? No! For he started suddenly and sat erect 
 on his bed. 
 
 "I thought I heard something," he said in a whisper. 
 "That was a step outside. Some one knocked against 
 the chair on the platform and tipped it over. I don't 
 like that noise." 
 
 He threw one leg half out of the bed and waited, for, 
 to be candid, Dick had no liking for an encounter with 
 some evil-doer in the small hours. Then, mustering 
 courage, he threw the mosquito net aside, rearranged 
 it o\er the bed, and stealthily crept to the farther side. 
 His hand sought the box which contained his worldly 
 possessions, and tucking it beneath his arm he stole 
 softly out on to the verandah. There was a brilliant 
 moon, high up in the sky, and the silvery rays played 
 softly upon the sandy beach, upon the crests of the 
 breakers, upon the white street and the white houses, 
 and upon the bush and forest which formed at this 
 time the surroundings of Cape Coast Castle. There 
 were deep shadows everywhere, and Dick's eyes sought 
 them, and endeavoured to penetrate to their depths. 
 He stood still and listened, though the thump of his 
 fast-beating heart was all that came to his ears above 
 the boom of the surf. That and the eternal droning 
 of the insects which swarmed around. No one seemed 
 to be abroad this night, and yet 
 
4 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "Some one was here," thouglit Dick, with conviction, 
 as he stepped across the wooden platform, with its 
 overhanging roof, which went by the name of veran- 
 dah. "Here is the deck-chair in which I was sitting 
 just before I turned in. and it is now on its side. I 
 left it all right. And That's some one !" 
 
 He drew back somewhat suddenly, while his breath- 
 ing became faster. For some one, an indefinite shape, 
 a native perhaps, had stepped from one of the shadows 
 and had peered at the verandah. Then detecting the 
 white youth, he had vanished into the shadow again, 
 as silently and as stealthily as any snake. 
 
 "I don't like that at all," thought Dick. "I'm alone 
 here, and the people know that there is gold. They 
 know that father kept his money in the house, and now 
 that he is gone they must be aware that I have it. 
 I'll camp out here for the night. I wish to goodness 
 I had gone down to the Castle and left this box under 
 lock and key." 
 
 He stepped back into the room which he had just 
 vacated, and felt along the wall till his hand hit upon a 
 rifle. Then he sought for cartridges, and, having 
 found a handful, tucked them into the pocket of his 
 pyjamas, and one into the breech of his weapon. That 
 done, he went on to the verandah, and, pulling his 
 chair into a corner, sat down with the gun across his 
 legs and the box beneath his feet. 
 
 "I could have slept," he grumbled. "But that's out 
 of the question. Some blackguard wants the money, 
 and that must be prevented. Besides, these Fantis 
 would knife me with pleasure. I don't care for the 
 thought of that, so here goes for a night-watch, Dick 
 
A Great Misfortune 5 
 
 Stapleton. my hoy. you'll be anything hut fresh to- 
 morrow." 
 
 Had he been an older soldier, Dick would have re- 
 mained on his legs, and would have patrolled the 
 length of the verandah, and even shown himself be- 
 yond the house, out in the brilliant patch where the 
 moon rays fell. But he w^as only a young fellow, and. 
 in addition, he was tired, fagged out by work and 
 anxiety. The heat told upon him, too, and the boom- 
 ing of the surf, instead of helping to keep him wakeful, 
 seemed, now that he was outside his room, to lull liim 
 to sleep. 
 
 His excitement, and the forebodings which the 
 strange figure liad brought to his mind, soon calmed 
 down and disappeared. His head drooped. A cool 
 wind got up and gently fanned his heated cheek, and 
 within half an hour he was asleep — far more deeply, 
 too, than he had been when stretched beneath his mos- 
 quito net. He snored loudly and contentedly. The 
 gim slipped to the ground, and caused him to stir un- 
 easily. But he did not awake. He slipped farther 
 down into his chair, and slept the sleep of the ex- 
 hausted, oblivious of his danger, forgetful of the vow 
 he had made, and of the watch which he had meant to 
 keep. And his snores, the click of his rifle, and the 
 shufHe of his feet as he stretched them out, were as a 
 signal to the rascal who lurked in the shadows. He 
 slipped into the open and listened. Then he dropped 
 on all fours, and stealthily crept towards the verandah. 
 At times he was hidden in the deep shade cast by the 
 many shrubs which surrounded the house, while at 
 others he knelt fullv outlined — a short, broad-shoul- 
 
6 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 dered savage, as naked as the day when he was born, 
 dark grey in colour, and gHstening under the moon's 
 rays, for his body was freely anointed with oil. At 
 such moments his pace quickened till he reached an- 
 other friendly shadow, where he lurked for a minute 
 or more, only the whites of his eyes showing occa- 
 sionally as he stretched his head from the shade. Soon 
 he was near the verandah, and seemed on the point of 
 leaping the low rail which enclosed it, when an un- 
 earthly shriek — the familiar night-call of a forest ani- 
 mal — broke the silence, and set him trembling. 
 
 "I'd wring its neck !" he growled hoarsely, while he 
 wiped the beads of perspiration from his forehead. 
 "The brute startled me, and may have awakened the 
 young fool on the verandah. If it has — well, I must 
 have the money. I must have it this night, too, and 
 without further waiting. To-morrow will be too late. 
 He'll know the truth then. He's cunning, this young 
 Stapleton — cunning. He's deep and too knowing, 
 and he suspects. To-morrow the books will show what 
 has been happening these five years and more, and 
 then " 
 
 His eyes rolled, and an oath escaped his lips, for 
 he thought of the Castle, of the cell which would re- 
 ceive him, and of the labour to which he would be 
 condemned. 
 
 "To-night or never!" he muttered. "And if the 
 youngster stirs or attempts to hold me, why, there's 
 something here to make him alter his mind. Some- 
 thing to stop him altogether, to shut his mouth, and 
 keep his evidence from reaching the authorities." 
 
 The thought seemed to please him, for he sat back 
 
A Great Misfortune 7 
 
 on his heels and gripped his revolver more tenaciously. 
 Rut a moment later reflection brought some doubt to 
 his mind, and his breathing became deeper and more 
 hurried. 
 
 "They'd know." he said, with an oath. "They're 
 bound to know, in any case, for I must go. Once I 
 have the money, I must take to the forest, and trust to 
 picking up a boat along the coast. Even then I shall 
 have to wait for months, for there will be a hue and 
 cry. I'll have to make for King KofTee's country, and 
 take service with him. He'll remember who has been 
 so good about the supply of gims and ammunition. 
 Yes, I'll make for Kumasi, and wait there till the storm 
 has blown over. Ah ! he's snoring again. I must be 
 quick. The morning will be coming in a couple of 
 hours." 
 
 The thought that he had a haven near at hand 
 seemed to spur the miscreant on to his purpose, for he 
 rose to his feet and emerged into the open, where the 
 brilliant moon showed him even more clearly. It was 
 obvious that he had purposely darkened his skin, for 
 behind his ears, on the broad of his back, and on the 
 palms of his hands were dusky-white patches, which 
 he had omitted to cover. In fact, the robber who 
 lurked so close to the house, and whose fingers grasped 
 the revolver, was none other than James Langdon. 
 whose name was uppermost in Dick Stapleton's mind. 
 This thief, who came stealthily in the night, was the 
 half-caste manager of the store which Dick's father 
 had kept for many a year in Cape Coast Castle. Short 
 and squat he appeared in the moon's rays, but the light 
 was insufficient to show what manner of man he acta- 
 
8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 ally was. Had it been lighter one would have seen a 
 heavy, ugly face, with thick lips and splayed-out nose, 
 telling unmistakably of his negro origin. Crisp, curly 
 locks, jet black in colour, covered his head, while some 
 straggling hairs grew from his upper lip. The brows 
 were low, the eyes too close together, while the thick- 
 ness of the lips alone seemed to denote a cruel nature. 
 James Langdon was, in fact, far from prepossessing in 
 appearance, while he bore a character which was none 
 of the best. He had a dusky complexion, sharp, white 
 teeth, and that whiteness of the eye which belongs to a 
 native. 
 
 For years he had acted as Mr. Stapleton's manager, 
 and tales were whispered in the place that he robbed 
 his employer, that he had dealings with the natives of 
 the interior which, had they come to the knowledge of 
 Mr. vStapleton or to the ears of the authorities, would 
 have gained for him instant dismissal, and in all prob- 
 ability imprisonment. But IMr. Stapleton had never 
 suspected, and the apathy of the officials had caused 
 them to disregard rumours. And so it happened that 
 James went on with his peculations and his illicit trad- 
 ing till Dick came out to the Gold Coast, just four 
 months before, and at once plunged into the business 
 with the intention of mastering every detail. Gradu- 
 ally, as the books and the working of the store became 
 familiar to him, Dick had begun to suspect, and then 
 had become almost certain of the fact that the manager 
 was dishonest. 
 
 "I'll make sure first of all," he had said. "I am new 
 to ledgers and journals, and, in fact, to trade of any 
 sort, and it is possible that I may be mistaken. I'll 
 
A Great Misfortune 9 
 
 g-Q through the entries again, so that there shall l)e no 
 room for doubt." 
 
 Unconsciously his manner had altered to the man- 
 ager. He ^vas too honest to be on familiar terms with 
 a man whom he suspected of robbing his father and 
 as a result James guessed that he was found out, that 
 this young Englishman regarded him with suspicion. 
 He would have fled the place then and there had he had 
 the means. But he had long since spent all his ill- 
 gotten wealth. He remained, therefore, and while 
 still contemplating the step, went on with his work as 
 if he had nothing to fear. A few days later a sharp 
 bout of fe\er, not the first which he had suffered by any 
 means, attacked Mr. Stapleton, and to Dick's inex- 
 pressible grief he succumbed. 
 
 "Then I must go," said James Langdon, and with 
 that he promptly decided to rob the son and decamp. 
 
 Only a week had passed since Mr. Stapleton's death, 
 when the half-caste proceeded to put his plan into 
 execution ; and there he was, disguised in order that 
 Dick should not recognize him, naked and well smeared 
 with oil, so that if his young employer happened to 
 awake and endea\oured to detain him, his grip would 
 instantly slip from his body. 
 
 "He's fast asleep, and now's the time," whispered 
 Tames, running his fingers across his forehead to wipe 
 the perspiration away. "I'll creep in and search for 
 the box." 
 
 He stood to his full height and peered over the rail 
 of the verandah at the sleeping figure. Then he hoist- 
 ed himself over the low wall and stole along the wooden 
 flooring. It took more than a minute to reach the 
 
lo With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 door of the room which Dick had recently vacated, for 
 the sleeper was evidently troubled with dreams, and 
 he breathed and snorted heavily, each sound bringing 
 the robber to a stop, and setting him shivering with 
 apprehension, for this half-caste was a coward at heart. 
 But at length he found himself within the room. 
 
 "Beneath the bed," he said to himself. 'That's 
 where his father kept the gold, and no doubt the young 
 fool does the same. He'll have left the box there, and 
 I shall be able to get it and slip away without dis- 
 covery." 
 
 He was at the bed by now, and his arms were grop- 
 ing vainly beneath it. An oath escaped him when he 
 discovered that the box was gone, and he sat back on. 
 his heels trembling, and furious with disappoint- 
 ment. 
 
 "Perhaps he has moved it," he said at length. "He 
 guessed that some one was about, else why did he go 
 on to the verandah to keep watch, and why the gun ? 
 I'll strike a match and take a look round. First of all, 
 is he quiet?" 
 
 He stole to the open door and peered at the re- 
 cumbent figure, now half illuminated by the moon. He 
 could see the head lolling forward, the hands and arms 
 trailing to the floor, and the stock of the rifle. The 
 legs and feet, and the box for which he sought, were 
 still in the shadow. 
 
 "All's well," he thought. "A match will not awake 
 him, and there is no one about to see the light." 
 
 There was a faint, rasping sound, and the glimmer 
 of a flame lit the room. The half-caste searched each 
 corner diligently till the match burned to his fingers. 
 
A Great Misfortune 1 1 
 
 Then he flung- it aside witli an oath and rapitUy struck 
 another. 
 
 "Then he must ha\e the box with liim," he exclaimed 
 hoarsely, while the frown on his ugly brows increased 
 as he realized that his difficulties were suddenly in- 
 creased. "He's asleep. I'll capture the prize and run 
 to the nearest shadow. If he follows " 
 
 His fingers felt the lock of the revolver while he 
 lifted the weapon and took aim at the moonlit doorway. 
 
 "I could hit him with ease, though I have never fired 
 one of these before." he said. "Time's going. It 
 must be done at once." 
 
 Bracing himself with the thought, the miscreant stole 
 to the door, and then along- the verandah till he was 
 close to Dick. His hand went out to search for the 
 coveted box, and then drew back suddenly, while the 
 blood in his veins froze with terror. For Dick moved 
 restlessly and spoke in his sleep. Had he discovered 
 the attempt? Was he about to pounce upon the in- 
 truder? The doubt set the half-caste shivering till 
 desperation lent him strength, and he levelled the re- 
 volver. His eyes shone strangely in the moon's rays 
 as they fixed themselves on the unconscious youth, 
 while the finger which lay on the trigger stiffened, 
 causing the hammer to rise slowly into cocking posi- 
 tion. Another movement would have been Dick's last. 
 But the dream had passed, the nightmare which had 
 troubled him was gone, and he slept easily. 
 
 "I thought it was all up," growled the robber hoarse- 
 ly, to himself. "He startled me. There's the box." 
 
 His eye had suddenly lit upon it, and lowering his 
 revolver he stretched out to it, caught the handle, and 
 
I 2 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 with a tug dragged it from beneath Dick's feet. Then 
 he scrambled from his knees, and was in the act of 
 leaping the rail of the verandah when the sleeper start- 
 ed erect. A cry escaped him, and in an instant he was 
 on his feet. Then with a shout of fury he threw him- 
 self upon the robber. One hand gripped the ruffian's 
 neck, while the other closed about his arm. For a sec- 
 ond, perhaps, he retained his hold. Then a quick 
 movement of the half-caste threw him off, his hands 
 slipping from the well-oiled surface. There was a 
 sharp report, and the flash of a revolver in his face. 
 Then he was left, still gripping at the air, while James 
 Langdon sought safety in flight, his dark figure flitting 
 across the brilliant moonlit patch to the nearest shadow. 
 
 "Stop !" shouted Dick, now thoroughly awake. "I 
 know who it is. I recognized you by means of the 
 flash. It is James Langdon, the man who has robbed 
 my father for years. Stop, and return the box this 
 instant. I promise to let you go free afterwards. If 
 you refuse I will shoot you down as you run." 
 
 He stooped swiftly and picked up his weapon. Then 
 he leapt over the rail and ran into the open. 
 
 "Now," he said, as he faced the deep shadow in 
 which James had disappeared, and in which he still 
 lurked, fearful that his figure would be seen as he 
 crossed to the next, "come out and return the box. 
 I give you half a minute. After that I fire." 
 
 He could see the faint outline of the man, while the 
 moving leaves told of his probable position. Dick 
 levelled his weapon, and waited till he judged the half- 
 minute had passed. 
 
 "Once more," he called out, "are you coming?" 
 
A Great Misfortune i 3 
 
 There was no answer, only the leaves shook more 
 violently. Dick took careful aim, and pulled the trig- 
 ger, sending: a bullet into the verv centre of the figure 
 which he had dimly perceived. But he had a cunnuig 
 fox to deal with, and forgot that he himself stood 
 brilliantly outlined in the open. James Langdon knew 
 that he had but to draw his fire to escape to the forest, 
 for long before Dick could load again he would have 
 p-ained the woods. He waited, therefore, till our hero's 
 patience was exhausted. Then he threw hmiselt tiat 
 on the ground till the shot rang out. An instant later 
 he was on his feet racing into the forest. And after 
 him went his pursuer, hot with rage and anxiety. 
 Dashino- into the thick bush he endeavoured to come up 
 
 T T 
 
 with the fugitive, but all was dense darkness here. He 
 struck his head against an overhanging bough, and a 
 moment later caught his feet in a twining vine, coming 
 with a crash to the ground. He was up in a moment, 
 only to meet with the same fate again, while the half- 
 caste, better versed in the ways of the forest, crept 
 steadily along on all fours, feeling his way through the 
 tangle.' Dick was beaten, and in his rage he blazed 
 right and left into the forest ; but the shots did no harm 
 to the fugitive, while hardly had their reverljeration 
 died down when there followed the mocking calls of the 
 half-caste. 
 
 "Set a watch and keep it. Dick Stapleton," he 
 shouted, "and learn to be wary when James Lang- 
 don is about. As to the box. have no fear for 
 its safety. I promise to take care of the gold 
 which it contains." 
 
 He gave vent to a boisterous laugh, a laugh of 
 
14 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 triumph, and then went on his way, leaving Dick 
 trembling with fury. 
 
 ''Listen to this, you ruffian," he shouted back. "You 
 are a knave, and have robbed me as you did my father. 
 Don't think to escape. Some day we shall meet again, 
 and then you shall answer for this crime." 
 
 A jeering laugh was his only answer, and dispirited, 
 and well-nigh on the verge of tears, he retraced his 
 steps to the house, and threw himself into his chair, a 
 prey to the worst misgivings, wondering what he 
 should do next, how he was to live, and how to repair 
 his ruined fortunes. 
 
CHAITRR II 
 
 A Gallant Rescue. 
 
 Moderately tall and broad, with well-tanned skin and 
 pleasant features. Dick Stapleton looked a gentleman 
 and a decent fellow as he lolled on an old lx)x which 
 lay on the beach at Cape Coast Castle. He was dressed 
 in white ducks from head to foot, while a big solar 
 topee covered his head. His collar was thrown wide 
 open, a light scarf being tied loosely round the neck, 
 while his whole appearance gave one the impression 
 that he was decidedly at ease. And yet he was not 
 happy. A week had passed since the robbery, and in 
 that time he had given full particulars to an apathetic 
 police force. He had offered a reward for the recov- 
 ery of the treasure, and he had wondered how and 
 where he was to live. 
 
 "There are the two houses," he had said over and 
 over again to himself. "One is the store, and has per- 
 haps fifty pounds worth of goods in it. The other, the 
 living-house, is of greater value. But they are useless 
 to me, for without capital I cannot run the store, while 
 without means I cannot live in the house. And I 
 haN-en't, so far, been able to come across a tenant. I've 
 five pounds in cash, and when that goes I'm penniless." 
 
 He began to throw pebbles aimlessly, vaguely won- 
 dering what he could do to lighten his difficulties. 
 
 »5 
 
1 6 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "It is plain that there is no work for me here," he 
 said at length. "Practically every white man between 
 this and Elmina is an official of some sort, while the 
 natives don't connt. Of course there are the mer- 
 chants and the storekeepers, but then I am neither the 
 one nor the other now. Father even never made much 
 more than a bare living, thanks, perhaps, to that robber. 
 Ah, if I had had the means to organize an expedition 
 I would have followed him ; but then where should I 
 have obtained an escort? These Fantis, fine fellows 
 though they look, are really cowards, so I am told." 
 
 He watched one of the ebony natives lounging in 
 the shade some little distance away, and noted his tall 
 and well-proportioned figure. Then he turned to 
 others, who sat with their toes dipping in the water, 
 and their knees submerged every now and again as a 
 big wave thundered on the sand. They were the 
 kroomen, who were accustomed to play between shore 
 and ship, and bring off passengers and baggage. 
 
 "They will have work soon/' thought Dick, as his 
 eye lit upon a steamer approaching. "But they know 
 that it will be an hour yet before she is at her moorings 
 of¥ the coast. She's a big vessel. One of the regular 
 callers." 
 
 For a little while he gazed at the ship, wondering 
 who were aboard, and which of the white officials who 
 had gone away on leave some time before, fagged and 
 debilitated by the trying climate, would return, and 
 come ashore fresh and cheer\% with that ruddy complex- 
 ion common to Europeans and to natives of the British 
 Isles. 
 
 "Lucky beggars," he thought. "They will have 
 
A Gallant Rescue 17 
 
 everything- clear before them. They will take up the 
 old work as it they had merely been for a day's shoot- 
 ing up-country, and their friends whom they relieve 
 will take their bunks and sail away. It would be a fine 
 thing for me if I could get a billet under the Govern- 
 ment." 
 
 He lay there for a long time reflecting, and as he 
 did so the ship came rapidly closer. When a mile from 
 the sandy coast she dropped her anchor, and those 
 ashore could easily see the splash as it entered the 
 water. Then she lay to. with her broadside facing the 
 land, rolling and heaving with monotonous regularity. 
 Dick watched the bustle aboard listlessly, for it was 
 no unusual sight for dwellers on the Gold Coast, the 
 \Miite Man's Grave. Time and again he wondered 
 whether there might be some one aboard to whom he 
 could offer the store and the house, or some one who 
 would befriend him and perhaps obtain some post for 
 him which would enable him to work for a living. For 
 as the reader will have learned, Dick was in difficulties. 
 He had come out some months before at his father's 
 urgent call, and had barely had time to lo^k into the 
 business of the store when his father died. Then 
 came the theft of the gold, and here was our hero 
 stranded indeed, with little experience, and with very 
 few years behind him. Xo wonder that he was dis- 
 mayed. That as his fingers closed on the five golden 
 sovereigns in his pocket his mind went time and again 
 to the future, wondering what would happen when 
 those golden coins had perforce been changed into 
 silver, and the silver had dwindled away. 
 
 *Tf it had been in London," he said, 'T should have 
 
1 8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 soon found work of some sort, or I would have eagerly 
 taken the Queen's shilling and enlisted. Here there is 
 no work, at least not for a white man, and there is no 
 supervising or overseeing job that I can get. Lastly, 
 there is no recruiting station." 
 
 He had but stated the facts. For the past week he 
 had been the round of the town, and had even gone, 
 cap in hand, to the Governor. 
 
 "We're sorry for you, Stapleton," the latter's secre- 
 tary had said, as he shook Dick's hand, "but we have 
 nothing to offer. We can't even take over your prop- 
 erty, nor promise to look after it while you may be 
 away. The best thing for you to do w^ill be to get 
 back to the Old Country, and try your luck there. You 
 think of enlisting, do you? Well, it's a fine profes- 
 sion, is soldiering, and you are the lad to do well. 
 Perhaps you might even find your way out here again, 
 for let me tell you something. That rogue, King 
 Koffee, is stirring his Ashantee tribesmen up for war. 
 He is itching for a fight, and means to force one. So 
 you might pay us a visit. By the way, are you really 
 in earnest?" 
 
 "About the army, sir ?'' asked Dick. 
 
 "Yes, about enlisting. So many young fellows 
 threaten to take the step, but fail for want of pluck 
 w^hen the critical moment comes. You see, there are 
 not so many gentlemen rankers, and whatever others 
 say, there's no doubt that the life is a rough one, and 
 particularly so to the son of a gentleman. That's bar- 
 rack life, of course. Out on active service it's differ- 
 ent, for then officers and men live practically the same 
 life, and put up with the same hardships." 
 
A Gallant Rescue 19 
 
 "I know it's not all a feather bed, sir." replied Dick, 
 respectfully. "But I'm stranded. I can't be kicking 
 my heels out here in idleness, and I see few prospects 
 of selling the store and the property. So I shall take 
 \\hat I can get for the goods now on hand and get a 
 passage to England. If I can I shall work my way 
 back, for it would be as well to learn to rough it from 
 the first." 
 
 "And perhaps I could help you." was the answer. 
 "Look here, Stapleton, we're sorry for you. It was 
 very hard luck losing your money in that way, and if 
 you are really keen on returning home with a view to 
 entering the army, I'll get you a post aboard a steamer. 
 A word from the Governor would influence the cap- 
 tain, and as you say, it is better to rough it now, and 
 get a little practice, before joining the ranks. There, 
 too, I can do something, I imagine. Come again when 
 you have thoroughly made up your mind, and I will 
 see what can be done." 
 
 Dick had to be satisfied with that, and as he lay there 
 on the sand he had firmly come to a decision, and re- 
 solved to ask for a post aboard the steamer then lying 
 in the roads, and return in her to England. 
 
 "But first I'll see whether there is any one there 
 who wants a store or a house," he said. "They'll be 
 coming soon. I see the surf-boats are on the way, and 
 the rope gangway has been lowered." 
 
 He watched as some passengers clambered down tlie 
 gangway, their white drill clothing showing crisply 
 against the dark background of the ship, while others, 
 less capable of the somewhat difficult feat of descending 
 a swaying ladder, were lowered in a chair slung from 
 
2 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 the yard. Then his eye lazily followed as the kroo 
 boys thrust their long paddles into the sea, and shot 
 the big- craft from the vessel's side. A second took its 
 place at the gangway, and another load of passengers, 
 all in gleaming white clothes as before, descended or 
 were slung into the boat, and were rowed away. After 
 that he could see the baggage being lowered down till 
 other boats, which had now gone alongside, were well 
 filled. 
 
 "There's Brown, who went home six months ago, 
 just before I came out," said Dick, suddenly, as the 
 first boat drew near the outer margin of the surf. 'T 
 remember he brought a message to me from father. 
 How well he's looking. When I saw him last he was 
 a skeleton." 
 
 He rose to his feet and strolled down to the edge 
 of the sandy beach, where he waited to greet his friend. 
 There were one or two others whom he recognized, 
 and they waved to him. But for a little while passen- 
 gers and friends ashore were completely divided, for a 
 wide belt of raging surf stretched between them. On 
 the outer fringe of this the surf-boat lay to, the kroo 
 boys standing along the sides with the tips of their 
 paddles just dipping in the water. They made no 
 movement save every now and again when a big swell- 
 ing breaker caused them to roll, and threatened to carry 
 the boat into the surf. Then there was a word from 
 the headman, the paddles dipped deeply, and the boat 
 swung back from the surf. 
 
 "It wants doing to-day," said an officer, who had 
 now taken his place beside Dick. "There's no wind to 
 speak of, but there's quite a heavy surf. I always like 
 
A Gallant Rescue 2 i 
 
 watching those kroo boatmen. Clever beggars, Sta- 
 pleton, and full of pluck when engaged in a job of this 
 sort. Ah. they are off." 
 
 A shout came over the water, and at once all the 
 paddles were plunged deep into the sea. The boat, 
 lielped by a breaker, sprang forward into the surf, and 
 then being caught up by an enormous rolling billow, 
 she shot forward on its crest, being lifted many feet 
 into the air, till, in fact, those aboard her seemed to l:>e 
 far above those on the beach. But in a moment she 
 dropped down again, and for a few seconds was out of 
 sight. 
 
 "Looks as though the following wave would cover 
 her," said the officer, as he watched keenly for another 
 sight of the boat. "Those beggars are paddling as if 
 for their lives." 
 
 At that instant the surf-boat had again come to view, 
 and as the officer had remarked, the kroo toys were 
 plying their paddles with tremendous energy. They 
 looked over their shoulders with some apprehension, 
 and then at the repeated shouts of their leader they dug 
 tlieir blades into the boiling surf and struggled to push 
 the craft towards the shore. But in spite of their exer- 
 tions the surf-boat seemed to be receding. She ap- 
 peared to be slowly gliding backward down the far 
 side of the billow which had just passed, falling, in 
 fact, towards the gulf which lay Ijetween it and the 
 monstrous wave which followed. 
 "They're done," cried the officer. 
 "They'll manage it, I think," said Dick, quietly. 
 "But it's touch and go." 
 
 And that it prove^l to be. The men aboard shouted, 
 
22 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 and drove their paddles with fierce energy, while the 
 spray licked about them, and the following wave 
 seemed to surround them. The passengers, seeing their 
 danger, behaved like sensible beings. They sat still 
 and clutched their seats, while they looked backward 
 apprehensively. Suddenly the boat began to move for- 
 ward. The efforts of the paddlers were having the 
 desired effect. It slowly gathered way, though the 
 following wave, with its green curling crest now erect- 
 ed high above the craft, seemed to be about to fall upon 
 it and swamp the passengers. Another shout, another 
 fierce struggle, and the boat shot forward, the crest of 
 the wave doubled up, caved in at that point, subsided 
 into the seething boil about it, and then glided under 
 the surf-boat, lifting it swiftly into the air. How it 
 moved ! It might have been shot from a gun. And 
 the kroo men had reversed their paddles. They were 
 now doing their utmost to restrain the boat, to keep 
 her from being dashed on the shore. It was a mag- 
 nificent struggle. The curling wave, a huge mass of 
 foam and w^ater, burst with a thunderous boom on the 
 sand, and breaking into a million cascades, shot its 
 torrents up on to the beach. The boat fell as suddenly 
 till its keel was close to the sand, when it leapt forward 
 again and finally came with a bump to the ground. At 
 once the kroo boys leapt over the side, waist-deep in 
 the receding water. They were almost dragged from 
 their feet, but they clutched the boat, and putting their 
 united strength to the task, ran her a few feet higher 
 up, till, when the water subsided, she was left almost 
 high knd dry. 
 
 "Bravo !" shouted the officer and Dick together. "It 
 
A Gallant Rescue 23 
 
 was a narrow squeak. Ah. how are you. Preston?" 
 went on the former as he recognized a friend, while 
 our hero turnetl to the young fellow whom he had last 
 seen in England. 
 
 Bv now a numher of other residents had arrived, and 
 there was an animated meeting, the passengers leaping 
 out and shaking hands. Amid all the excitement, the 
 hand-gripi)ing. the questions as to friends at home, 
 and as to matters on the Gold Coast, no one took notice 
 of the following l)oats save Dick, who had greeted his 
 friend an^l left him to pass on to others. He watched, 
 therefore, as the second craft approached, and stared at 
 the occupants as the stout vessel lay off the breakers 
 waiting lor the propitious moment to arrive when it 
 would be wise to push forward. 
 
 There were five passengers in all, three of them 
 officers returning to duty, and two others, of whom 
 one seemed to be a man of some fifty years of age. thin 
 and almost cadaverous, while the last by all appear- 
 ances v.-as a very stout, short man, who found the heat 
 trying, for he fanned his face with an enormous topee, 
 then mopped his brows with an exceedingly red ban- 
 dana handkerchief, and finally, with a start of surprise, 
 stood up and stared back at the oncoming waves with 
 every appearance of dismay. Dick heard him shout, 
 and a moment later the tall, thin man had swept him to 
 his seat again with an adroit movement of the arm. 
 
 "A stranger, evidently." thought Dick. "He has 
 never been in the surf before. The other man knows 
 the ropes well, while the officers T recognize as old 
 residents. Ah, they've started. The little fat beggar 
 doesn't like it." 
 
24 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 The stout man evidently felt some tremors, for he 
 clutched at the side, pushing his head in between two 
 of the kroo men, till his companion, seeing that he was 
 in the way, dragged him back and spoke sharply to 
 him. After that he remained as if rooted to his seat, 
 staring at the wave which followed, and shuddering 
 as the boat was lifted to the summit of a crest, and 
 again as she as quickly slid back into the abyss behind. 
 A shriek escaped him as the craft slowly receded, while 
 the harder the paddles worked and their leader shouted, 
 the more did the terror of the unaccustomed situation 
 seem to fill this little stranger. A moment later a shout 
 from Dick and a chorus of yells attracted the attention 
 of those ashore. They turned to find the boat gone. 
 She had been completely engulfed by the following 
 wave, and for a minute nothing but seething water 
 could be seen. Then a black arm shot up, and later 
 the whole of the kroo rowers bobbed to the surface like 
 corks, and knowing what was wanted, merely struggled 
 to keep their heads above the surface wdiile the water 
 swept them ashore. Then the three officers appeared, 
 and rapidly followed the example set them, 
 
 "Two are missing," shouted Dick, ''the fat little man 
 and the thin one." 
 
 "Then one at least has gone for good," replied one 
 of the passengers who had just come ashore. "The 
 Dutchman couldn't swim if you paid him. The other 
 could, no doubt. Hullo! What's happening. Staple- 
 ton ?" 
 
 "I'm going in," said Dick, quietly, as he tore at his 
 coat and kicked his shoes off. "Look; there's one, and 
 he's helpless !" 
 
A Gallant Rescue 25 
 
 He had no time for more, but coolly nodding to the 
 group, ran into the water, and as a wave crashed into 
 seething fofim at his feet he dived into the mass and 
 disappeared. A minute later he was in the trough be- 
 y(^nd. and the wave which followed merely lifted him 
 high in the air. There was a warning shout from the 
 shcire. and a dozen fingers pointed to his right. But 
 Did did not see them. Nor did he even hear, for the 
 roar of the surf was so great. But he happened to 
 catch sight of an arm, which was instantly submerged, 
 
 "That is one," he said to himself. 'Til get him if 
 1 dive." 
 
 Dick had learned to be wary, and knew that it is as 
 dangerous to approach a drowning man from behind 
 as from the front when he is still full of vigour. He 
 dived, struck out beneath the water, touched some- 
 thing, and struggled to the surface, clutching the tail 
 of a coat. He pulled at it, and slowly the fat face of 
 the stout little passenger appeared, and close to his 
 that of the thin man. the one with cadaverous cheeks. 
 Then a pair of amis came into sight, and Dick gathered 
 that the stout stranger had gripped at the nearest per- 
 son and had dragged him down with him. making 
 escape impobsible. making it even out of the question 
 for the taller man to struggle for existence. 
 
 "Better get them ashore like this," he thought, with 
 wonderful coolness considering the danger. "There's 
 a wave coming. I'll copy the kroo boys and wait for 
 it. Then I'll try to get all three of us flung on the 
 Ixjach." 
 
 He took a firm hold of the collar of the stout man, 
 who was apparently unconscious, for his eyes were 
 
2 6 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 tightly closed, though his arms still retained their grip. 
 But the hold which Dick had obtained enabled him to 
 keep the fat stranger's lips just clear of the water, 
 while it also raised the other man's face. Then Dick 
 lifted his free arm for a second. Those ashore saw the 
 movement and shouted, while three or four of them 
 ran down into the sea. A wave was coming. Dick 
 could see it in spite of the blowing spray which whisked 
 across the water. He took a deep breath and gripped 
 the coat with both hands. The curling crest of a green 
 wave shut out the horizon. There was a crash in his 
 ears. The torrent caught him and almost tore his 
 grip from the collar. Then he felt that he was moving. 
 He and the weight to which he clung shot towards the 
 shore, a foot or more of water covering them. Then 
 there was a second crash, loud shouts from those on 
 the beach, and afterwards — 
 
 "Hullo! Does it hurt? Broke just above the elbow 
 and we had such a job. No. Lie down, sir! You 
 are not to move. Lie down, I say ! You are safe out 
 of the water." 
 
 Dick collapsed flat on his back and stared indignant- 
 ly at the individual who had dared to give the order. 
 He was a trim, dapper Englishman, with a small beard, 
 and as he returned our hero's gaze he showed every 
 sign of being a man who meant what he said, and 
 would have no nonsense. He was minus his coat, and 
 his sleeves w^ere rolled to the shoulder. 
 
 "That's an order," he laughed. "Remember that, 
 youngster. An order. See that you obey it." 
 
 He shook his fist, laughed merrily, and proceeded to 
 unroll his sleeves and don his coat. 
 
A Gallant Rescue 27 
 
 They were in a large, airy room, and when Dick 
 turned his head, he could catch, through the widely 
 opened windows, a view of the sea, of the ship which 
 had just reached the roads, and a small section of -the 
 sandy beach. Xo one was stirring. The sun was 
 right overhead, and the shadows short and barely per- 
 ceptible. The atmosphere quivered with the heat. 
 Even the birds and the insects seemed to have suc- 
 cumbed. An unnatural quiet reigned over that portion 
 of the Gold Coast, and only the surf thundered and 
 roared. But that was partly imagination. Dick 
 could not shake off the impression that he was 
 even then swallowed in that huge mass of water, 
 and that he could still hear, was deafened, indeed, 
 by the crash of the billows. He looked again 
 down at the sands. A solitary Fanti boy lan- 
 guidly sauntered across the view. There was a 
 boat drawn up clear of the breakers, and another lay 
 off the ship, a mile from the shore. Was it all a dream, 
 then ? 
 
 "I say," he suddenly remarked, and he felt surprised 
 that his voice should sound so low and weak. "Er, I 
 say, if you please, where am I, and what has been hap- 
 pening?" 
 
 "Happening?" exclaimed his companion, with ele- 
 vated eyebrows. "Oh, nothing at all. You acted like 
 a madman, they tell me. You dived into the surf, and, 
 as a result, the surf threw you back as if it objected to 
 you. It threw you hard, too, and wet sand is heavy 
 stuff to fall on. You've a broken arm, and may thank 
 your stars that that is all. It ought, by rights, to have 
 been a broken neck and hardly a whole bone in your 
 
2 8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 body. Where are you? Why, at the Governor's, of 
 course. In clover, my boy." 
 
 The jovial individual laughed as he spoke, and came 
 close to the bed. 
 
 "You've been an ass," he said bluntly, and with a 
 laugh. "Seriously, my lad, you've done a fine thing. 
 You went into the surf and brought out those two 
 drowning men. It was a fine thing tO' do, but risky. 
 My word, I think so !" 
 
 He took Dick's hand and squeezed it, while the 
 bantering smile left his lips. 
 
 "A nigger is at home sometimes in the surf," he 
 explained ; "but when you know the coast as I do, you 
 will realize that to get into those breakers means death 
 to most white men. You want to he a fish in the first 
 place, and you need to be made of cast iron in the 
 second. I'm not joking. I've seen many a surf-boat 
 splintered into bits as she bumped on the beach. Men 
 are thrown ashore in the same way, and they get 
 broken. Your arm is fractured, and a nice little busi- 
 ness it has been to get it put up properly. The Dutch- 
 man is still unconscious, and I fancy he swallowed a 
 deal of salt water. Mr. Pepson, the other individual 
 whom you saved, is quite recovered. He's one of those 
 fellows who is as hard as nails. But there, that'll do. 
 I'm talking too much. Lie down quietly and try to 
 sleep like a good fellow." 
 
 So it was real after all. He had not dreamed it. 
 He had gone into the surf, and the Dutchman was 
 saved. 
 
 "And who's this Mr. Pepson?" thought Dick. "And 
 this fellow here must be the doctor. One of the army 
 
A Gallant Rescue 29 
 
 surgeons, I suppose, i-ancy being at the bovernor's 
 house. Phew ! That ought to get me the billet aboard 
 the ship." Suddenly he recollected that his fractured 
 a,rm would make hard work out of the question for a 
 time, and he groaned at the thought. 
 
 "Pain?" asked the surgeon. "Xo? Then worry? 
 What's wrong?" 
 
 Dick told him in a few words. 
 
 "Then don't bother your head," was the answer. 
 "The Governor is not likely to turn you out while you 
 are helpless, and the time to be worrying will be when 
 you are well. You've friends now, lad. You were 
 no one before — that is, you were one amongst many. 
 Now you have brought your name into prominence. 
 We don't have men fished out of the surf every day of 
 the year." 
 
 He spoke the truth, too, and Dick soon realized that 
 liis gallant action had brought him much honour and 
 many friends. The Governor came that very after- 
 noon to congratulate him, while the members of the 
 household, the ladies of the Governor's party, fussed 
 about their guest. Oflicers called to see the plucky 
 youngster, while, such is the reward of popularity, two 
 of the traders on the coast made ofifers for Dick's 
 houses and the good-will of the stores. It was amaz- 
 ing, and if our hero's head had hummed before with the 
 memory of his buffeting in the surf, it hummed still 
 louder now. He was in a glow. The clothes on his 
 bed seemed like lead. The place stifled him. He 
 longed to be able to get out. to shake off the excite- 
 ment. 
 
 "An attack of fever." said the surgeon that even- 
 
30 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 ing, as he came to the room and found Dick wandering 
 shghtly. "The shock, hard times for the last few 
 weeks, and thoughtless exposure to the sun, are prob- 
 able causes. That's what many of the youngsters do. 
 They think that because an older hand can at a pinch 
 work during the heat of the day and in the sun, they 
 can do the same. They can't. They haven't the 
 stamina of older men. Here's an example. He'll be 
 in bed for another week." 
 
 And in bed Dick was for more than that time. At 
 last, when the fever had left him, he was allowed to 
 get into a chair, where for a few days he remained till 
 his strength was partially restored. Another week 
 and he emerged into the open. And here at length he 
 made the acquaintance of the men he had rescued from 
 the surf. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 A Mining Expedition 
 
 Dick could have shouted with merriment as the two 
 strang^ers whom he liad rescued after their upset in the 
 surf came up the steep steps of Government House to 
 g"reet hiiu. and still more was his merriment roused as 
 the stout little man came forward to shake him by the 
 hand. For this rotund and j(illy-looking individual 
 was dressed in immaculate white, with an enonnously 
 broad red cummerbund about his middle, making his 
 ^■ast girth even more noticeable. His round, clean- 
 shaven face beamed with friendly purpose, while there 
 was about him the air of a leader. He struggled to 
 appear dignified. He held his head high, and showed 
 no sign of feeling abashed, or ashamed at the memory 
 of his conduct aboard the boat. 
 
 "Ah, ah!" he gasped, for the climb had taken his 
 breath away. "Bud id is hod for walking, Meinheer 
 Dick, and zese steps zey are sdeep. I greed you brave 
 I-'.nglishman as one brave man would anozer. I render 
 zanks fr)r your aid. I am proud to shake ze hand of 
 mine comrade who came into ze wild sea to give me ze 
 help." 
 
 3> 
 
3 2 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "Goodness!" thought Dick, "he speaks as if he had 
 actually been attempting to save his friend, and had 
 not really been the means of almost drowning him." 
 
 He glanced furtively at the second stranger, as the 
 fat man grasped his hand and pumped it up and down, 
 while at the same time he vainly endeavoured to mop 
 his streaming forehead. But Dick could read nothing 
 in the face of Mr. Pepson. Perhaps the keen sunken 
 eyes twinkled ever so little. Perhaps that twitch of 
 the thin lips was a smile suppressed. Beyond that there 
 was nothing. Mr. Pepson gazed at his rescuer with 
 evident interest, and seemed barely to notice the pres- 
 ence of his companion. At length, however, he moved 
 forward a step and addressed himself quietly to Dick. 
 
 "Let me introduce our friend," he said, with a quaint 
 little bow, removing his topee as he did so. "This is 
 Meinheer Van Somering, of Elmina." 
 
 "Dutch by birdh and a Dutchman to ze backbone, 
 Meinheer," exclaimed the stout man, as he released 
 Dick's hand. "I am one of ze residents of Elmina, 
 which was in ze hands of mine coundry till ladely, 
 you undersdand. Id is a spod to visid. Ah ! zere you 
 will find comford. But I have nod zanked you." 
 
 "Indeed you have, ^^ou have said enough. I did 
 nothing to speak of," exclaimed Dick, hastily. "How 
 are you? None the worse for your adventure?" 
 
 "None, we thank you," answered Mr. Pepson, in- 
 terrupting the voluble Dutchman as he was in the act 
 of launching forth into a speech. "We grieve to hear 
 how badly you have fared, and we hope that you are 
 now on the mend. You do not like thanks. I see 
 that plainly. Then I will say very little. I owe you 
 
A Mining Expedition 33 
 
 my life. ]\ir. Stapletoii, and 1 and all consider your 
 action to have been an extremely plucky one. Now, 
 may we sit down? It is hot, as 2^Ieinheer says. And 
 these steps are steep." 
 
 "Sdeep! Mein word! In Elmina zere are none 
 like dese. Here, in Cape Coast Castle, ev^ryzing is 
 sdeep. You climb or you run downhill. Zere is no 
 level. Id is derrible!" 
 
 The fat little Dutchman threw his hands into the 
 air with a comical expression of disgust, and then flung 
 himself back into a basket chair, causing it to creak and 
 groan and bend to one side, till Dick thought it would 
 certainly collapse. 
 
 Mr. Pepson smiled. "Our friend does not think 
 greatly of this English possession of ours," he 
 said, "and there I agree with him, for Elmina 
 is by contrast a charming spot. You have been 
 there. Mr.. Stapleton — Dick I think they all call 
 you ?" 
 
 "Xo. I have never been to Elmina," Dick was bound 
 to admit. 
 
 "Ah, well, it lies some sixteen miles to the west, as 
 you will know, and the Dutch held it for many years — 
 in fact, till recently, when England bought the place. 
 It is beautiful in many ways. There is little fever. 
 The spot is drained and the bush cut back into wide 
 clearings." 
 
 "Ah. yes, Meinheer, and led me add, zere is a har- 
 l>our. Look zere!" 
 
 The little Divtchman danced to his feet and tiptoed 
 to the edge of the steep steps by which he had so re- 
 cently ascended. Then he pointed a condemning finger 
 
34 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 at the white sandy beach, and at the thundering surf 
 which crashed upon it. 
 
 "See id! Ze cruel waves, which so nearly robbed 
 me of a dear, dear friend, for whose life I struggled 
 till Meinheer Dick plunged do ze rescue. Zere is none 
 of zat at Elmina, We Dutchmen made a harbour years 
 ago. You can land at Elmina as you mighd in Hol- 
 land. There is nod even a — ah, whad do you call him 
 — ah, I have him, yes, a ribble, zere is nod even zat, 
 Meinheer." 
 
 The comical little fellow threv^ out his chest, as if 
 that were necessary considering its huge dimensions, 
 and patted it gracefully, while he looked round upon his 
 listeners in turn as if seeking for some words of praise 
 and commendation. 
 
 "It is true enough," admitted Mr. Pepson, and again 
 Dick thought he detected a half-suppressed smile. 
 "The country to which our friend belongs sent excel- 
 lent colonists to Elmina. They have a harbour, and 
 why we have not one here passes belief. But there. 
 Why let us compare the two places and their govern- 
 ments? It is sufficient to say that Elmina has ad- 
 vanced as the years have passed, while this possession, 
 which has been in our hands for more than two hun- 
 dred years, has receded if anything. A cargo of cement 
 and two months' work would have made a harbour. 
 An engineer with limited skill and knowledge could 
 have erected a breakwater which would have enabled 
 small boats to lie snug and secure, while there would 
 have been no need for surf-boats. As to the bush. 
 They call this 'The white man's grave.' And so it is. 
 But the health of the town could be vastly improved 
 
A Mining Expedition 35 
 
 if proper efforts were made. The bush could be cleared 
 and the place drained." 
 
 He paused and looked out to sea, while Dick, as he 
 watched the surf and thought over what had been said, 
 could not help feeling that had the measures just men- 
 tioned been carried out, his father might still be living, 
 and many another Englishman with him. Indeed, 
 there is little doubt that at the time and until this period 
 Cape Coast Castle and its neighbourhood had been 
 sadly neglected. Xo English colony had advanced 
 less, and none was so unhealthy, though a little effort 
 would easily have improved matters. 
 
 "You are lately from home?" asked "Sir. Pepson, 
 suddenly, turning to Dick. 
 
 "Four months ago. I came to help my father, who 
 had had a store here for many years. He died a week 
 before you landed." 
 
 "Before you aided us in our efforts to reach the 
 land, I think," was the smiling rejoinder. "I knew 
 your father slightly, and I sympathize with you in 
 your loss. Do you propose to remain in these parts?" 
 
 The question was asked so quietly that Dick could 
 not imagine that Mr. Pepson had the smallest interest 
 in the answer. And yet, had he watched this stranger, 
 he would have seen a keen glance of the eye, a move- 
 ment of the hand which denoted eagerness. 
 
 "I shall sail for England as soon as my arm is strong 
 enough. I have been pronn'sed help in getting a place 
 aboard one of the ships. I shall work my way home, 
 and then seek for employment. I have been rather 
 unlucky." 
 
 "You were robbed, we hear. But you still have 
 
36 
 
 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 some property left, and perhaps you might find work 
 here. What would you say to a trip up-country ?" 
 
 Mr. Pepson leaned back and surveyed our hero. He 
 drew a cigar from his pocket, bit the end off, and ap- 
 plied a match. And all the while his eyes were on 
 the young fellow who had saved his life. As for 
 Meinheer Van Somering, his cheeks were puffed out 
 with suppressed excitement. He leaned forward till 
 his chair looked as if it would capsize, and he devoured 
 the figure seated before him \\ith eyes which were 
 almost hidden behind the wreathes of fat which clothed 
 his cheeks. 
 
 "Mind," said Mr. Pepson, calmly, "a trip such as I 
 suggest would not be a holiday. There are dangers 
 other than connected with fever. There are natives. 
 Have you heard of King Koffee's hosts of warriors?" 
 
 Dick had heard a great deal, and acknowledged the 
 fact. 
 
 "Every one seems to think that there will be trouble 
 with them, before very long," he said. "The Fantis, 
 the people on this side of the Pra, go in terror of their 
 lives. Yes, I know that there is danger up-country, 
 but then, Mr. Pepson, it is not so great as to keep an 
 Englishman away." 
 
 "Nor one of my gread coundry, Meinheer !" 
 
 "Quite right ! Quite so. Van Somering. Now lis- 
 ten, Mr. Dick. We — that is, Meinheer and myself — - 
 are about to march into the interior, to a spot some 
 miles north and east of the Pra. We are bent on gold- 
 mining, and we have bought a concession from this 
 King Koffee. Meinheer has had his agents there for 
 the past six months — a Dutchman and natives — and 
 
A Mining Expedition 37 
 
 there are shafts sunk, a stockade erected, and gokl is 
 heing obtained. Now 1 have come into the venture. 
 The agent is about to retire, and we desire to see our 
 concession, and to place an agent in charge who can be 
 rehed upon. The post is a dangerous one. It is also 
 one of responsibility, for many ounces of gold pass 
 through the hands of the man who is in charge. We 
 have been seeking for a successor, and we believe we 
 have found him. You are the young man upon whom 
 our choice has fallen." 
 
 Dick could have fallen from his chair, so great was 
 his astonishment. 
 
 "But — but — I am only eighteen," he stammered. 
 "And I don't know anything about mining." 
 
 "We want a reliable and straightforward man," said 
 Mr. Pepson. quietly, "and we believe you to be that. 
 Your age does not come into the question. In England 
 you might be just leaving for college, or have held a 
 commission in the service for a year. You would 
 hardly be deemed fitted for a post of great responsi- 
 bility. Out here it is different. You have pluck and 
 tenacity. Every one in the place says that. You speak 
 a little of the Eanti language, and you have some 
 knowledge of the country and the natives. As to the 
 mining, no knowledge is required. The natives sink 
 the shafts and get the gold. You take charge of it, 
 and, at stated periods, send it down to the coast. Your 
 greatest task will be to see that all is secure. To make 
 sure that the Ashantees are friendly, and in the event 
 of probable trouble, to secrete the gold and beat a re- 
 treat. In other words, we want a sensible individual, 
 with some command over the natives, and with enough 
 
38 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 pluck to enable him to live almost alone in the 
 forests." 
 
 The offer was a tempting one. Dick saw employ- 
 ment before him, and a life which he judged would 
 suit him well. Then, too, longer residence in the coun- 
 try would enable him to safeguard his interests on the 
 coast, and perhaps to sell or let the property which was 
 all that he possessed. 
 
 "As to the pay," said Mr. Pepson, "that will be lib- 
 eral, far better, indeed, than an official of your years 
 obtains in these parts. We have a valuable concession, 
 and we can afford to pay the right man. Then, too, 
 there is a question of the store. You have one, we 
 learn. We are prepared to enter into an agreement to 
 take a share of it from you, or we will take all, paying 
 for the house and the goodwill of the business. In ad- 
 dition, since we shall want a residence, we are pre- 
 pared to rent or buy the residence in which your father 
 lived." 
 
 Could he believe his ears ? Could it be that he was 
 listening to a proposition which would relieve him of 
 all his difficulties? Dick felt stunned. The roar of 
 the surf, which had troubled him ever since his ad- 
 venture, threatened to deafen him. He felt dizzy, and 
 sat back in his chair, grasping the arms for support. 
 Meanwhile, Mr. Pepson watched him calmly, Mein- 
 heer Van Somering beaming upon him as though he 
 alone were the author of all these suggestions, and as 
 if Dick were indebted to him only. 
 
 'T can see a brave man wid half one eye," he gasped, 
 as he fanned his hot cheeks. "Meinheer is brave. He 
 will fighd for us. He is ze man we look for." 
 
A Mining Expedition 39 
 
 "Then I accept." exclaimed Dick, eagerly. "I feel 
 that I am too young for the task, or rather, that I 
 should be at home in England. Out here it is differ- 
 ent. I can speak a little of the language, and. if it is 
 any advantage. I can shoot straight. I will go to this 
 concession, and will do my best in your interests. As 
 to the property, your suggestions take my breath 
 away." 
 
 "While we are only too glad to have the opportu- 
 nity of thus helping a friend. Now, IMr. Dick, we 
 shall leave you. It is hot. and you are tired. I will 
 call to-morrow, and will then make a definite offer for 
 the business, or a share of it. Meanwhile I will send 
 some one to you who can give you independent advice 
 as to its value. For business is business, my lad, and 
 it is necessary that your interests should be protected. 
 Now, Meinheer, we will go. It is downhill to the 
 hotel, and therefore easy walking." 
 
 He rose as Dick sprang to his feet, and shook our 
 hero warmly by the hand. Meinheer Van Somering 
 repeated the process, and having backed to the edge of 
 the stairs, swept his topee from his head and treated 
 Dick to an elaborate bow. "We shall meed again. 
 Meinheer Dick," he called out. "Till zen a Dutchman 
 is proud do call himself your gread friend. Mein 
 word! bud id has been a pleasure to meed you." 
 
 He swept his topee on to his head again, mopped 
 the perspiration from his face, and descended slowly, 
 leaving Dick with his head in a whirl, and feeling half 
 inclined to laugh at the memory of this Dutchman's 
 comical figure, his absurd attempts to be dignified, and 
 his vast stock of self-assurance; and more than half 
 
40 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 disposed to shed tears of joy and relief at the words 
 of Mr. Pepson, at the offer which had been made to 
 him, and at the prospect for the future. Then he sat 
 down and did what many another youngster has done, 
 who has been hurt and has been sick for a time. He 
 fainted from sheer weakness and inabihty to withstand 
 so much excitement. 
 
 "And that is all the thanks I get for allowing them 
 to come," exclaimed the trim-bearded doctor, as he 
 glared at Dick some minutes later. "It's all the work 
 of that fat little Dutchman, of that I'm sure. He'd 
 talk till any one was weary. Well, he shall not come 
 again. You are to be a prisoner here, my boy, till you 
 show signs that you are really mending. Fainted ! 
 Just fancy!" 
 
 He went off with a sniff and a smile, leaving Dick 
 quite well again, but ready now to inflict the direst 
 punishment upon himself for displaying such weak- 
 ness. 
 
 "I could kick myself!" he exclaimed in disgust. 
 "Here am I, in clover, as the doctor says, but till half 
 an hour ago with starvation before me. I was on my 
 beam ends, and did not know where to look for work 
 or help. And here I am, with a post assured, and 
 every prospect of earning a decent living. And the 
 news upsets me. I'm a donkey ! A fine thing if Mr. 
 Pepson had seen me. A nice thing for him to know 
 that his future manager might faint like a girl at the 
 first critical moment. Pah! I wish some one would 
 kick me!" 
 
 There was no one at hand to comply with his invita- 
 tion, and presently the memory of his weakness wore 
 
A Mining Expedition 41 
 
 oflf and Dick fell asleep. A few days later he was far 
 stronger, and when three weeks had passed he was him- 
 self again, his arm was out of the splints, and carried 
 in a sling, while, when the doctor or Mr. Pepson were 
 not about, he amused himself with using the hand and 
 fingers. 
 
 "As well get accustomed to working the limb," he 
 said to himself, with a smile. "I am sure that the 
 expedition is dallying here till I am well, for that is 
 just like Mr. Pepson. He is really grateful, and his 
 •liberality is wonderful. I must get this arm out of 
 the sling as soon as possible." 
 
 Another week, in fact, brought the consent of the 
 doctor, whereupon active preparations for the trip up- 
 country were commenced. Meanwhile our hero had 
 learned more of his new friends. Mr. Pepson, he 
 found, was a wealthy trader from Sierra Leone, while 
 Meinheer \^an Somering was, as he had proudly stated, 
 a native of Elmina. Born and bred there, he spoke 
 the native tongue like his own. and knew the Gold 
 Coast intimately. It was he who had learned of the 
 goldfield on the Pra, and unable to purchase the con- 
 cession himself, he had sent the information to Mr. 
 Pepson. Dick learned to like the Dutchman immense- 
 ly, to laugh at his comical appearance, his efforts 
 towards dignity, his mighty ways with the natives, and 
 his good temper. ?Ie was vastly amused at Mein- 
 heer's other side, at his obvious nervousness, and at his 
 boastful ways and words. 
 
 "He is a good friend, and an amusing companion," 
 said Mr. Pepson one day, "and if he has his little 
 faults we must not complain. Tlie truth is that he is 
 
42 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 no fighter, Dick. When that is said, we have said 
 SLifficient. If we meet with trouble we may rely upon 
 his seeking for and finding a secure retreat. We will 
 not count on his help to protect the expedition. After 
 all, it is only fair that the work should be divided. I 
 shall command, and you will aid me. Meinheer is 
 chief interpreter till you have made more acquaintance 
 with the natives, and he will advise us about the mines 
 and their working. Now let us go into the question of 
 the expedition. You know the site of the mines?" 
 
 Dick had heard that it was somewhere on the river 
 Pra, and said so. 
 
 "It is exactly ninety-four miles from here," said Mr, 
 Pepson, "and is surrounded by dense bush. To get to 
 it we ascend the river Pra till we reach a point on a 
 level with the mines. Then we strike into the jungle. 
 We shall take with us a few sets of hand winding gear, 
 for at present the natives lower themselves into the 
 shafts by their own efforts. The gear we have brought 
 is simple, but it will answer well and save labour. 
 Then we are taking guns and ammunition, rockets, 
 grenades, and a small brass cannon. In addition there 
 will be picks and spades, and iron boxes, in which the 
 gold will be packed. As to conveyances, there is a 
 large launch for our own use, and she will tow a couple 
 of narrow native craft, and more if necessary. Once 
 we have settled there, she will return with us, and will 
 make periodical trips from the mines as soon as you 
 have taken charge. She will be close to your hand, 
 and if you meet with trouble you will know that there 
 is a means of flight, and a way by which you can reach 
 the coast. Now let us see to our personal outfit, for 
 
A Mining Expedition 43 
 
 remember, we may he montlis away, and we are going 
 into parts which try the best of clothing." 
 
 They took their way into the town, for they had 
 been chatting on the beach, where many of the stores 
 for their expedition had been accumulated. Then they 
 went by the road which led to the house which Dick's 
 father had erected, and which had now passed into the 
 keeping of the two partners. There they found a na- 
 tive tailor, with his wares already spread out on the 
 verandah. 
 
 "He is a humble and patient individual," said Mr. 
 Pepson, with a smile, "and he will have carried out 
 my orders to the letter. These natives cannot always 
 cut garments, and for bush work, as for any other, it 
 is essential that one's clothes should fit easily and well, 
 for otherwise in this hot climate they are apt to chafe. 
 That being the case, I have for years made it a prac- 
 tice to get a stock of clothes when in England, and 
 then allow^ a nati\e to copy. You understand, he picks 
 a suit to pieces, and makes use of the bits as patterns. 
 He has a couple of suits here for us both. Yours is a 
 copy of one which we found in your room. Come 
 along. Give it a trial." 
 
 This slender, cadaverous-looking Englishman from 
 Sierra Leone seemed to be able to think of everything. 
 Time and again Dick had cause to wonder at his 
 thoughtfulness. his care for others, and particularly for 
 our hero ; and long ago he had ceased to do more than 
 murmur his thanks, for Mr. Pepson would arrest him 
 at once with a warning finger and a friendly smile. 
 
 "What !" he would exclaim, "am I not to be allowed 
 to do something for the comfort of one w'ho saved my 
 
44 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 life, and that, too, of our stout friend, Meinheer Van 
 Somering? The world is indeed an ungrateful place 
 if one is to receive such an act with only passing thanks, 
 to reward it with a nod and a few polite words, and 
 then in the rush which surrounds us to forget the deed 
 and the one who gallantly performed it. Surely there 
 is as much pleasure in remembering a brave act and a 
 good friend as in anything. I hold that a gentleman 
 never forgets his debts of gratitude, for they are in- 
 deed debts of honour, which can never be settled too 
 completely." 
 
 And Dick would become silent, though now and 
 again he would lamely protest that he had done nothing 
 at all. 
 
 "That is your modesty, Dick," would be the answer. 
 "I may say the same. I have done nothing more than 
 any business man would do. You are to be my agent. 
 I have a big stake in these mines, and I wish all to go 
 well. Consequently, to avoid future loss, I equip my 
 agent with the best and see to his welfare." 
 
 There was no arguing with such a man. He would 
 smile that dry smile of his and would turn away. But 
 Dick did not forget. If Mr. Pepson was grateful, so 
 also was he, for he was indeed in clover. He saw 
 w^ork before him, hard work, too; for he had been 
 given to understand that the post of agent would be no 
 sinecure. Then he was now a partner with Mr. Pep- 
 son and the Dutchman in the store which his father 
 had had for so many years. It had reopened already 
 with a flourish. A manager had been appointed, and 
 there were prospects of reviving the business, so that 
 Dick might look forward to an income. Then he had 
 
A Mining Expedition 45 
 
 been credited with a good sum, which Mr. Pepson had 
 insisted was the vakie of the partnership, while a 
 further sum was to be paid every year in the way of 
 rent for the residence. And now, as if that were not 
 enough, here was a complete outfit. Dick donned the 
 clothes which the native had prepared, and stepped into 
 the centre of the verandah for Mr. Pepson's approval. 
 
 ''You will do well," said the latter, when he had sur- 
 veyed him critically. "The stuff is some which I im- 
 ported specially. It is a dark cloth, as you observe, 
 and. while being thin and light, it is strong, and to a 
 certain extent waterproof. It will stand the thorns in 
 the jungle, and better perhaps, should we meet with 
 trouble, you will find that it does not make the wearer 
 conspicuous. There is a green shade in it, and that 
 will be difficult to detect against the foliage. Now the 
 hat. That will do. too. It is made of the same ma- 
 terial, and is just the thing for the jungle. A topee 
 would be in the way, and besides, the sun does not 
 penetrate very much, and, indeed, is often not to be 
 seen. You will carry a topee in your kit for open 
 spaces." 
 
 Three days later all was in readiness, and Dick 
 found himself dressed in preparation for an early start. 
 As he looked in his glass that morning, an hour before 
 the sun rose above the steaming jungle and bush, he 
 saw there a young fellow of medium height, dressed 
 in a loose-fitting knickerbocker suit, with wide-awake 
 hat to match. A leather belt was alx)ut his waist, and 
 slung to it was a revolver, while on the other hip he 
 carried a short sword, with a keen cutting edge on one 
 side, the reverse being fashioned like a saw, for they 
 
46 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 would have dense jungle to pass through, and such an 
 implement was necessary. Beneath the loose coat he 
 wore a light flannel shirt and turn-down collar, open 
 at the neck. A pair of gaiters covered his calves, while 
 his feet were clad in strong shooting boots. Alto- 
 gether he looked a likely young fellow, and his smooth 
 features and firm chin, disclosing a creditable amount 
 of determination and obvious courage for one so young, 
 set off his general appearance and led one to believe 
 that the mining partners had not made such a bad 
 choice after all. 
 
 "It's we who have made the mistake," said the Gov- 
 ernor that morning to his secretary, as he bade fare- 
 well to the expedition. "We knew the lad was in diffi- 
 culties and wanted a job, but we thought him too 
 young. We let him kick his heels till he was miserable. 
 We looked on while he was robbed and ruined, and 
 we should have helped him to slip from the country 
 had it not been for that plucky dash of his. I tell you, 
 there are bad times coming. I could have found him 
 useful as a police officer. We want a likely fellow, 
 who can speak this Fanti tongue, to keep an eye open 
 for the doings of the Elmina natives. This fellow 
 would have done well. But there! we've lost him. 
 It's always the way with those in authority. We hesi- 
 tate. We know that our choice must be sanctioned 
 by some man in office away at home, a man, mind 
 you, who has never seen the object of our choice. 
 That's red tape. It kills initiative. It has lost us a 
 good fellow, and these men, Pepson and the Dutchman, 
 have been too smart for us. They have jumped at 
 him, and they've a real good fellow." 
 
A Mining Expedition 47 
 
 There was quite a commotion in Cape Coast Castle 
 that morning-. Many turned out to see the last of 
 the expedition, and there was a cheer as tlie party em- 
 barked on a surf-boat, and put out to the steam launch 
 lying just off the beach. 
 
 "Good luck ! and watch the Ashantees," shouted one 
 of the Government officials. 
 
 "Bring back plenty of gold." called out another. 
 "Good-bye and good luck !" 
 
 The words of encouragement and a last cheer came 
 to them as they boarded the launch. There was a 
 sharp order from J^Ir. Pepson, then the engines re- 
 volved, the propeller thrashed the water, and they were 
 off, Dick and his friend watching the receding figures 
 on the shore, while the sprightly Van Somering 
 climbed to the highest point of the narrow deck and 
 there held himself with head erect so that all might 
 view him and admire. 
 
 "A great swell he is, too," laughed Mr. Pepson, as 
 he and Dick turned from the shore. "His appearance 
 alone should mean our security from attack." 
 
 And our hero was fain to agree. For the fat little 
 Dutchman had exceeded any former attempt. True, 
 he was dressed in the same loose clothing, made of the 
 selfsame material as worn by his comrades. But his 
 vanity had added embellishments to it. His shirt was 
 red, a red which dazzled the eye, while the belt which 
 surrrounded his ample waist was some five inches in 
 ^vielth — strong enough, in fact, to bear the weight of 
 two such Dutchmen, while it carried in front an enor- 
 mous revolver and a dagger of like proportions, all of 
 which made it appear as if Meinheer Van Somering 
 
48 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 were a man of pugnacious disposition, and therefore to 
 be avoided. 
 
 An hour later, a little while after the sun had risen 
 over the jungle, the launch glided into the river at 
 Elmina, and came to rest close to the mole. 
 
 "We will see first of all that our stores are here," 
 said Mr. Pepson, as he leaped ashore. "Then we will 
 move on without delay. Come with me, Dick, and go 
 over the list of our possessions." 
 
 Everything had been sent on some few days before 
 from the neighbourhood of Cape Coast Castle, where 
 they had been landed from the steamer, and thanks to 
 the careful foresight of Mr. Pepson, Dick found that 
 three dugouts, of large proportions, lay close to the 
 mole, roped firmly together, and in these were disposed 
 the belongings of the expedition. In the bows of one 
 was the brass gun, while there were sniders in all three 
 and an ample supply of ammunition. In addition, half 
 a dozen Fanti warriors sat on the thwarts waiting for 
 the forward move. 
 
 "Hook on the launch," said Mr. Pepson. "Now, all 
 aboard. Send her ahead, Johnnie." 
 
 Johnnie was the native boy who had been trained to 
 man the engines of the launch, and he rejoiced in the 
 name given. At the word he opened the steam throt- 
 tle till the merest jet was fed to the cylinders, and 
 gently drew ahead of the boats, slowly stretching out 
 the hawser connecting them till it was taut. Then 
 again there was a commotion at the end of the launch. 
 The water was thrashed into foam, the ropes creaked 
 and stretched, and finally the launch was under way, 
 the three boats following gaily in the wake of the 
 
A Mining Expedition 49 
 
 plucky steamer. Mr. I'epson was at the wheel, and 
 promptly put his helm over till they were heading for 
 the very centre of the river. 
 
 "All clear here," he said, with a smile. "Now we 
 make out for the sea, for this is not the river Pra. It 
 lies a few miles to the west. Once there we shall not 
 always have a wide, open stretch to steer through, par- 
 ticularly when we have ascended a few miles. Then, 
 indeed, the fun will commence, for there are sure to be 
 sandbanks and shallows, while I believe that crocodiles 
 abound. In any case the river will narrow, and before 
 very long the trees will come closer together and will 
 shelter us from the sun. Send her full steam ahead, 
 Johnnie." 
 
 By now they were feeling the swell at the mouth of 
 the harbour of Elmina, and for some minutes all clung 
 to the sides, for the light craft were tossed by the 
 enormous surf running outside. \\'hen that was safely 
 passed the steam launch turned to the west, and they 
 went off along the coast, just as they had done that 
 morning, watching the white sandy beach as they swept 
 past it, the interminable forests beyond, and the blue 
 haze hanging over the hills and mountains in the dis- 
 tance. Two hours later they reached the mouth of the 
 river, and having approached it carefully, for mud 
 banks lay off it in many directions, they shot into an 
 open channel, and soon found themselves ascending the 
 Pra, a broad river, there known as the Bustum. 
 
 "Higher up it is called the Pra," explained Mr. Pep- 
 son, "until it bifurcates. The branch flowing from 
 the east is then called the Prahsu. while the one from 
 the west is known as the river Offwin. \\'e do not 
 
50 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 ascend either of these. Our route takes us by a narrow 
 tributary flowing into the Pra, and by that means we 
 reach our destination. Now we can go full ahead." 
 
 Once more the throttle was opened to its full extent, 
 and with the three boats in tow the launch steamed up 
 into the heart of the country, with every prospect of 
 covering many miles ere the darkness came and caused 
 her to come to a stop. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 A Chase and a Fight 
 
 "In a little while the sun will be down," said Mr. Pep- 
 son, as he sprawled on the deck of the steam launch 
 that evening. "Then it will be dark in half an hour 
 or less, and we shall have to think of setting a watch. 
 Meinheer will take the first one. From seven to nine, 
 Meinheer. Dick will follow from that hour till mid- 
 night, and I shall take the watch from the first moment 
 of the new day till the light comes. That will be 
 about three o'clock. Now let us get our supper." 
 
 All day they had been steaming without adventure 
 and without interrui)tion up the broad sweep of the 
 river Pra, seeing nothing to alarm them, and meeting 
 with no difficulties. So far they had had plenty of 
 water beneath their keels, and an ample space through 
 which to steer. But there were signs that the river 
 was narrowing, while all felt as if the forest was hem- 
 ming them in. 
 
 "Zis is noding do whad we shall have soon." the 
 Dutchman said, with a wave of his arm. "Zis forest 
 — I have l^en for some miles into him before, mine 
 friends — sdredches for a long, long way. Id is tick, 
 
 51 
 
52 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 too. See how ze drees shood up close togeder. And 
 watch below. Ze creepers are everywhere. Id would 
 dake a day do cud a new road a mile long-. Yes. Id 
 is dense. Bud we shall have no drouble. Ze river 
 dakes us do ze mine." 
 
 "Por which I am only too thankful," added Mr. 
 Pepson. "Our journey should occupy but three days, 
 or at the most four. If we had to march through the 
 forest we should have to take an army of Fanti labour- 
 ers to cut a road. And then think of the fever." 
 
 "And of the machinery, too," exclaimed Dick. 
 
 "Yes, that is another point," agreed Mr. Pepson. 
 "This country has been noted for its gold for many 
 years. The Ashantis have carried on a trade since 
 they became a nation, and there is no doubt that there 
 are vast natural stores. You may ask, why have others 
 not attempted to open mines before this? They have 
 done so. The beach at Elmina and at Cape Coast 
 Castle is strewn with rusting machinery, which has 
 been landed with a purpose, and then left to rot a.nd 
 rust simply because of the difficulty of transport, and 
 because of this forest. Luckily for us our mine is 
 near the river. But here's supper. Sit down, Van 
 Somering." 
 
 It was delightful to be out there in the open, even 
 though the air hummed with myriads of mosquitoes. 
 The launch and her three consorts lay moored out in 
 the stream some hundred yards or less from the left 
 bank of the river. About them, but for the buzz of the 
 insects and the ripple of the water, all was still and 
 silent. Not a beast seemed to be stirring, while even 
 aboard the boats all had settled down to rest. Johnnie, 
 
A Chase and a Fight ^^ 
 
 the stoker and driver, sat in the engine-well wiping his 
 black hands after an inspection of the machinery, while 
 the Fanti crew lay curled up in the L)ottoni of the boats, 
 two in each one. content with the world, waiting (juiet- 
 ly for their evening meal. And now it was ready. 
 With a broad grin Johnnie announced that the water 
 boiled, w hile Dick, who had been superintending a dish 
 of bacon which he had placed at the furnace door, sang 
 out that it was done to a turn. 
 
 "Then I will make the coffee," cried 'Sir. Pepson. 
 "Meinheer. see that the cloth is laid ; and, Dick, steady 
 with the bacon. We will start fair together." 
 
 The cloth consisted of a sheet of newspaper, a very 
 ancient London daily, which the Dutchman spread 
 out on the deck. Plates were of enamelled iron — the 
 class of ware to stand half a dozen campaigns — while 
 mugs were of the same hardy material, and were apt 
 to be used for soup or coffee, water or good wine, just 
 as circumstances dictated. It was all very jolly. This 
 al fresco picnic delighted Dick, and he set-to at the 
 meal with gusto, apologizing for his appetite. 
 
 "Id is goot! Id will make you grow sdoud, mine 
 friend," grunted Meinheer, in the midst of consuming 
 a rasher. "Id will make you grow so big zad ze na- 
 tives will zink you a gread man. See how zey dread 
 me, Meinheer \'an Somering!" 
 
 He ]o<jked down at his ample proportions with evi- 
 dent satisfaction, and then completed his attack upon 
 the rasher. 
 
 "Do-nigh(l all will be quied, mine friends, he went 
 on. 'T shall lie on guard, and zese natives will not 
 come. Perhaps lader zey will ask who we arc. I will 
 
54 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 speak wiz zem. There will be no difficulty. Anozer 
 rasher, jNIeinheer Dick." 
 
 They ate till they were satisfied, for there was no 
 reason to be careful with the rations, as they had an 
 ample supply. The repast was ended with a second 
 cup of steaming coffee, when the burly Dutchman pro- 
 duced a pipe of dimensions as ample as his own, and 
 with a bowl which took quite a quantity of tobacco to 
 fill it. Mr. Pepson lighted up a cigar, while Dick 
 produced a briar pipe. Then for some minutes there 
 was silence between them, while the darkness deepened, 
 and the cigar and the pipes shone redder and redder. 
 
 At length it was dark, so dark on the surface of the 
 river that nothing was visible, and Dick could hardly 
 see the figures of his comrades. But that was only for 
 a little while. Soon a big pale, African moon got up, 
 and, riding clear of the jungle, flooded the course of 
 the river, the left bank near which the boats lay, and 
 the tree-tops and jungle along that side. On the far 
 bank all was densely dark, and no eye could penetrate 
 the deep shadow which cloaked the dark and forbidding 
 forest which stretched unbroken beside the Pra. 
 
 "Bed !" called out Mr. Pepson. indulging in a yawn. 
 "Meinheer, yours is the first watch. Wake Dick at 
 nine. Good-night." 
 
 "Good nighd, mine friends. Sleeb well, for I shall 
 protect you." 
 
 The Dutchman went aft to the tiny cabin, and 
 fetched his rifle and a bag of cartridges. Then he 
 seated himself upon the roof of the saloon, the rifle 
 across his knees, and his pipe held firmly between his 
 teeth. 
 
A Chase and a Fight 55 
 
 Dick, too, was tired. It had been a long and inter- 
 esting day, and he had watched the passing banks of 
 the river till his eyes ached. Now he felt drowsy. 
 He got up from the deck, stretched his arms and 
 yawned, and then went off to the bows. A minute 
 later he was wrapped in his blanket, which covered 
 him from head to foot, his head was on a bag contain- 
 ing clothing, while his legs were stretched along the 
 deck. Half an hour later he was asleep ; all atoard, 
 in fact, had turned in for their rest, save the solitary 
 Dutchman, who still nursed his rifle, and puffed vol- 
 umes of smoke from his lips without ceasing. 
 
 No wonder that Dick was charmed with this trip 
 up-country. It appealed with all its force to a young 
 fellow of his age. He revelled in the strangeness of 
 the scenery, the dense, awe-inspiring forests, and all 
 the teeming life hidden in their midst, and the silent, 
 slow-flowing river. That evening, too. he had thought 
 how beautiful it all was, and how peaceful. He had 
 admired the cold rays of the moon, the sleepy boats 
 lying beneath it, and the dark figures stretched out 
 beneath the thwarts. He had listened, too, for a time 
 to the music of the bush, which came now more loudly 
 to his ear. There was the chatter of a regiment of 
 monkeys, the call of night birds innumerable, and the 
 droning hum of the insects. Ever and anon there came 
 a deeper sound, as if from some beast wandering in 
 search of its meal, while once, as he awoke and rose on 
 his elbow, he caught sight of a graceful four-footed 
 animal — a gazelle — tripping gently into the river to 
 drink. After that he stretched out again, and, lulled 
 by the droning sounds, slept deeply. 
 
56 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "What was that? Ah! that beast again!" he sud- 
 denly said in a whisper, as, some two hours later, he 
 wakened with a start, only to close his eyes again, for 
 he realized at once that the shriek he had heard was 
 one which had often disturbed him at Cape Coast Cas- 
 tle — one which proceeded from the throat of a harmless 
 forest animal. 
 
 "Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!" 
 
 "An owl now," thought our hero, dreamily. "There 
 it goes again, and quite close, too. Bother the bird!" 
 
 "Hoot! Hoot!" 
 
 This time Dick sat up on his elbow, and looked about 
 him vainly for the bird. "Hoot! Hoot!" It came 
 from his right, and he slowly turned his head in that 
 direction. Then he did a curious thing. He lay flat 
 of a sudden, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes vigor- 
 ously. 
 
 "That's rummy!" he murmured beneath his breath. 
 One of the boats has disappeared, and the others are 
 moving away, and — what does it all mean?" 
 
 He rolled on to his back, lifted his head cautiously, 
 and stared at the roof of the cabin. There was the 
 figure of the Dutchman — immovable, looking fantas- 
 tically huge, and sprawled out at full length. There 
 was no pipe now to be seen, no smoke issued from his 
 lips, while the rifle reposed beside him. Then came a 
 deep, muffled snore. Meinheer Van Somering was 
 asleep. 
 
 "Then there is some one near us," said Dick, swiftly. 
 "Some one is stealing the boats. I must act with 
 caution." 
 
 He had Iwd experience of a midnight marauder 
 
A Chase and a Fight 57 
 
 before, and he determined on this occasion not to be so 
 easily beaten. He rose to his knees, and crawled along 
 the deck till he reached the Dutchman. A moment 
 later he had the rifle in his hands, and had drawn back 
 the lock. Click ! At the crisp sound some one stirred. 
 A dusky figure stood up on one of the boats close by, 
 and commenced to pole lustily. Then a second stood 
 erect, and Dick could hear the splash as his pole fell 
 into the water. 
 
 "Stop!" he shouted. "Bring that boat back, or I 
 fire!" 
 
 He covered the nearest figure with his weapon, and 
 waited, wliile his shout was followed immediately by 
 a scuffling behind him, and by the almost instant ap- 
 pearance of Mr. Pepson. The latter seemed to take in 
 the position at a glance. His eye detected the boat now 
 so far away, the two remaining ones being poled by 
 the two dark figures, and the huge, lumbering body of 
 the Dutchman, still motionless and asleep. 
 
 "Shoot," he said, quietly. 
 
 Dick lifted the weapon again, sighted for his man, 
 and fired. There was a loud shriek, and hardly had 
 the echo of the shot died down when a splash told that 
 the bullet had reached. But our hero was not content. 
 He stretched for the bag, snatched another cartridge, 
 and, having placed it in the rifle, covered the second 
 man. However there was no need to fire, for a second 
 splash told that the miscreant, warned by the fate of 
 his comrade, had leaped overboard. 
 
 "What has happened?" demanded Mr. Pepson, 
 sharply, but with no trace of excitement in his voice. 
 "You were asleep, for it is barely half-past eight. You 
 
58 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 found our watchman also asleep, and the boats de- 
 parting. Did you see any one else?" 
 
 "No one," answered Dick, promptly. "But there 
 must be one other at least. Look! There is a man 
 poling the far boat." 
 
 "And he is too far away for a shot now. I might 
 hit him, but the light is deceptive." 
 
 "Then why not follow sir?" exclaimed Dick. 
 "Johnnie banked the fires, and in a few minutes there 
 should be steam. That boat won't have a chance. We 
 shall be up with her before she can get far." 
 
 "But not before our goods are stolen. No, we will 
 give chase in one of the other boats," said Mr. Pepson, 
 with decision. "Meinheer, bring the steamer along at 
 once. Dick and I will follow." 
 
 Already he was throwing off the hawser which held 
 the anchor, and, as he did so, Dick seized a pole. A 
 few strokes took the launch close to the moving boats 
 which had been so silently set adrift. 
 
 "Hold on, Johnnie, and you too, Meinheer," called 
 out Mr. Pepson. "Now, Dick, get aboard with the 
 gun, and Fll follow with another. We'll make one 
 boat fast and pole the other down." 
 
 He ran along the deck of the launch, while Dick 
 leaped into one of the native craft, two of which re- 
 mained lashed side by side, and were floating away 
 together. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. He 
 sprang back into the launch, seized the bag of cart- 
 ridges, and satisfying himself that it was well filled, 
 slung it over his shoulder and again sprang into the 
 native boat. 
 
 "Better get all ready for the pursuit," he said to 
 
A Chase and a Fight 59 
 
 himself. ''I'll set the two boats free, and toss the end 
 of a rope attached to one to iMeinlieer. He can make 
 it fast aft and follow with the lioat in tow." 
 
 He fell upon the lashings with eagerness, and when 
 Mr. Pepson appeared from the cabin, carrying a rifle, 
 Dick had the two boats separated, and had tossed a 
 rope attached to one to the Dutchman. 
 
 "Catch, Meinheer!" he shouted, for the burly Dutch- 
 man, since he had become fully awake, seemed to be 
 endeavouring to collect his wits. The report of the 
 rifle had brought him languidly to his feet, and now he 
 stared at his two comrades in amazement, wholly un- 
 able to understand the need for such bustling, or for so 
 much excitement. 
 
 "Bud whad is zis?" he demanded. "Is id ze middle 
 of ze nighd, or — whad?" 
 
 "It means that you've been asleep when you ought 
 to have been keeping watch," answered Mr. Pepson, 
 bluntly. "Some thieves have cut our boats adrift, and 
 one is being poled away. Don't stare, Meinheer. Take 
 the rope Dick has thrown and make it fast. Then 
 follow as soon as you have steam. Johnnie, get that 
 fire to blaze." 
 
 He stepped into the native craft and took the pole 
 which Dick offered him. 
 
 "Ready?" asked Dick. 
 
 A loud splash was the only answer, as Mr. Pepson 
 let his pole fall into the water. Dick followed suit, 
 and in a little while they were shooting down the 
 river, which in these parts was sufficiently shallow to 
 all(jw of poling. 
 
 "Keep her in near the bank, sir," sang out Dick. 
 
6o With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "It gets deeper out there, and I've noticed that the fel- 
 low who is poling is sometimes unable to bottom. We 
 are getting nearer already. Can we try a shot?" 
 
 "Wait," was the answer. "We have him in any 
 case. He cannot escape us, and if we only keep him 
 in sight he cannot take our goods. Keep on as we are 
 till we are certain of a shot. If he tries to make to the 
 opposite shore, where all is dense shadow, we will 
 drop our poles and fire together." 
 
 Ten minutes later they had overhauled the runaway 
 to some extent, and when half an hour had passed 
 they judged that they were within easy distance. 
 
 "Try a shot," said Mr. Pepson. "Your young eyes 
 are better than mine. "Don't hesitate, my lad. These 
 fellows are rogues and would kill us without a thought. 
 We must teach them a lesson." 
 
 Till that moment our hero would not have thought 
 of hesitating, for he had felt the excitement of the 
 chase, and he realized that he had to do with robbers 
 who no doubt would have no scruples in killing him 
 were he to come upon them. But just then the excite- 
 ment had lessened somewhat. They were overhauling 
 the chase without a doubt, and the figure poling the 
 runaway boat looked so harmless there in the moon- 
 light. Also he appeared to be unarmed. However, 
 an order was an order, and his duty was plain. 
 He dropped his pole into the bottom of the boat, picked 
 up his rifle, and took a careful sight. 
 
 "Sight about the middle of his body — no higher," 
 said Mr. Pepson. "That should find a mark." 
 
 Crash ! The report of the rifle set the jungle ring- 
 ing, while it reverberated along the still surface of the 
 
A Chase and a Fight 6 i 
 
 river. Then came a shriek, followed by a shout from 
 the shore. The native who poled the boat staggered 
 and almost fell. Then he recovered himself, answered 
 the shout from the shore, and in an instant had swung 
 the boat's head round in that direction. 
 
 "We have him sure enough." cried Mr. Pepson, for 
 the first time showing some trace of excitement. "He 
 is making for the moonlit side, and cannot escape. At 
 least, the boat and its freight are ours again. Drop 
 the ririe and take to the pole." 
 
 They plunged their long poles into the w^ater and 
 sent the craft dancing after the other. But quick as 
 they were, the boat in advance seemed to shoot across 
 the moonlit stretch, and rapidly gained the bank. 
 Again there was a shout, a dark figure ran out into the 
 river, splashing the water loudly. Then a second fol- 
 lowed, while the native who had been aboard threw his 
 pole aside and staggered ashore. 
 
 "Heavily hit," gasped Mr. Pepson, for the exertion 
 of poling was beginning to tell upon him. "But I was 
 right. We have the boat. and. after all, what more do 
 we want? Pole easily, Dick, and keep an eye on those 
 fellows. Ah, they seem to have run for it. We have 
 nothing to fear from them at least." 
 
 They pushed their craft gently into the shallows, till 
 they were almost beneath the trees. Then, giving one 
 lusty push, Dick stepped over the side and waded, 
 dragging the boat after him. A minute later both 
 were ashore, and were inspecting the other craft. 
 
 "We were just in time," said Mr. Pepson, in tones 
 of the greatest satisfaction. "Another few minutes 
 and they would have got clear away, and then good- 
 
62 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 bye to the expedition, for a time at any rate. Make 
 her fast, Dick, and keep a watch ashore." 
 
 Well was it for both of them that Dick did as he 
 was told. Indeed, from the moment at which he had 
 leaped into the river and commenced to wade, his sus- 
 picions had kept him alert with his eyes fixed upon the 
 jungle and bush into which the three dark figures had 
 disappeared. And now he was to find good cause for 
 his wariness, for, of a sudden, as Mr. Pepson took the 
 rope which was made fast to the bows of the runaway, 
 and dragged it towards the craft in which they had 
 undertaken the pursuit, a sharp sound came from the 
 depths of the jungle. It was the snapping of a dried 
 twig, a crisp and startling noise which caused both to 
 look up suddenly. 
 
 "They are not so far away, I think," said Dick, in a 
 low voice. "Wouldn't it be better if we moved away, 
 sir? We are in the full blaze of the moon's rays here, 
 while they are in the shadow. That's how that 
 robber managed to get away from me down at the 
 coast." 
 
 Hardly had the words left his lips w^hen a single 
 shot rang out, startling the silence, while the flash of 
 the weapon lit up the immediate surroundings of the 
 bush, and showed a dozen dark figures perhaps, all in 
 the act of running forward. Dick noticed that in the 
 twinkling of an eye, and heard also the click of the 
 missile as it struck a hanging tough some feet in front 
 of him. Then there was a dull thud, that thud which 
 in the old days of large calibre rifles and heavy bullets 
 told unmistakably of a hit. A second later a heavy 
 splash and a sickening gurgle told the young English- 
 
A Chase and a Fight 63 
 
 man the horrid truth. His comrade had been struck 
 and had fallen into the shallow water. 
 
 It was a terrifying position, and for a second Dick 
 stood rooted to the spot with consternation. Then his 
 courage returned, and with the memory of that glimpse 
 of charging figures which the flash of the rifle had 
 given him. he stooped, ckitched his fallen friend, and 
 staggered to the lx)at. Half throwing him into it. he 
 leaned across the thwarts, seized his rifle, and extracted 
 a cartridge from the bag. He had still a moment to 
 spare, for the patter of feet and the snap of many a 
 twig told him that the enemy were not yet quite at 
 hand. 
 
 "They are bound to kill us both here in the light," 
 he thought, as the prominence of their position flashed 
 across his brain. "I'll get into the shadow." 
 
 He had always l^een noted for his agility, and on 
 this fine night our hero surpassed himself. Fear gave 
 him strength, or else he could hardly have lifted his 
 comrade as he had done. And now the same stimulus 
 seemed to have sharpened his wits. He leaped at the 
 gimwale of the boat and pushed the craft into deeper 
 water. Then with a parting thrust of his leg he 
 scrambled aboard, while the boat, impelled by the push 
 he had given it, shot across the moonlit shadows, and 
 burst its way into the deep shade of an overhanging 
 tree. Dick clutched a bough and arrested its further 
 progress. Then leaning his shoulder against the same 
 friendly limb of the tree, he raised the rifle to his 
 shoulder. There was a chorus of loud shouts, the 
 splash of many feet, and in a second ten dusky figures 
 burst into the full light of the moon and rushed 
 
64 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 towards the tree which hid their quarry. Not till then 
 did Dick fully realize his danger. He had imagined 
 till now that his foes were natives from the river-banks, 
 thieves who had come out to rob the expedition during 
 the night. But there was one amongst the group 
 charging down upon him who showed that he was 
 mistaken. There was no chance of his being in error, 
 for the brilliant moon lit the scene too well, and showed 
 before him the half-caste James Langdon, who had so 
 recently fled from the coast, carrying Dick's store of 
 gold with him. 
 
 "Then he at least shall suffer now, whatever hap- 
 pens to the others," exclaimed our hero. Lifting his 
 weapon again he covered the half-caste, waited till he 
 felt sure of his aim, and pressed the trigger. Once 
 again there was a shout, and one of the unfortunate 
 natives who aided the rascally half-caste, leaped high 
 into the air to fall next instant with a splash into the 
 water. 
 
 "Rush! He is now unarmed! Cut the dog to 
 pieces!" shouted James Langdon. 
 
 There was an ugly gleam in the eyes of the robbers 
 as they heard the shout, and slight though Dick's 
 knowledge was of the language of these Fantis, he rec- 
 ognized the meaning of the words. Quick as thought 
 he threw his weapon down and drew his revolver. 
 They were close to the tree now, and nothing but the 
 darkness baffled them. But there was their disadvan- 
 tage, and Dick made the most of it. Singling out the 
 foremost he fired full in his face, and then, ere the re- 
 port died down, pulled heavily on the bough and 
 dragged himself and the native boat still farther into 
 
"in; ii:i.i. uiiii a < kasii inio the kivek' 
 
A Chase and a Fight 65 
 
 tlie sliadow. A second later tlie weapon spoke again, 
 and another of the miscreants fell. But still their com- 
 mander urged them on, 
 
 "Think of the ritles and other goods," he shouted. 
 "There is only one between you and the prize, and he 
 is only a boy. Rush him! Cut him to the chin! 
 Stand aside and I will lead you. Now, are all ready?" 
 
 He turned to look at his men. and waved a native 
 sword overhead to encourage them. Then he peered 
 into the dense shadow and was in the very act of lead- 
 ing a final charge when there was a sudden and unex- 
 pected interniption. A single shot rang out from the 
 river, while one of the enemy fell on his face in the 
 water and disappeared from sight. 
 
 "Ahoy ! jMine friends ! Are you zere ?" came in 
 the guttural tones of the Dutchman. 
 
 "Fire on them." shouted Dick, levelling his revolver 
 again and sending a shot into the group. Fire, ]\Iein- 
 heer ! Drive them off. Mr. Pepson is badly wounded." 
 
 An instant later the nose of the steam launch shot 
 into view, some fifty yards from the bank, and Dick 
 caught a glimpse between the leaves of the big tree 
 which sheltered him of the anxious face of Johnnie, 
 peering from over the engine-well, and of the portly 
 figure of the Dutchman, a portion of which was hidden 
 by the cabin aft. He stood there jjromincnt in the 
 rays of the moon, a rifle in his hands, and his short 
 sword attached to his side. Then, as his eye lit again 
 on the group of natives, he lifted the weapon, and 
 hardly had the report of Dick's revolver died down 
 when there was a flash, and the half-caste who had 
 formerly robbed our hero, and wlio had now made such 
 
66 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 an artful attack upon the boats of the expedition, 
 clapped his hand to his thigh and gave vent to a loud 
 bellow. Then he turned and fired a shot at the Dutch- 
 man, a shot which flew past in the air, screaming and 
 hissmg towards the opposite bank of the river. But 
 long before it could have reached that destination the 
 robber had swung round on his heel, and with a shout 
 of defiance had raced for the shadows. After him 
 Dick sent the remainder of his magazine, while Mein- 
 heer Van Somering, when he had recovered from the 
 consternation into which the shriek of the shot had 
 thrown him, followed his example, much to our hero's 
 trepidation, for the bullets flew on either hand, cutting 
 a shower of leaves from the trees. 
 
 ''Steady, Meinheer !" he shouted. "You will be hit- 
 ting us soon. We are here under the tree. I had to 
 seek shelter from the light, for they would have picked 
 us off easily. Bring the launch in and I will wade out 
 to you. I fear that Mr. Pepson is seriously hurt." 
 
 Leaping overboard he pushed the boat clear of the 
 tree and of the shadow, and soon had it alongside the 
 launch, for the latter steamed gently into the shallows. 
 Then the leader of the expedition was lifted aboard, 
 the two boats were made fast to the stern of the 
 steamer, and they pushed out into the stream. 
 
 "Better make for the far shore," said Dick. "Then 
 we shall not be treated to long shots." 
 
 "Bud zese wicked robbers, Meinheer," gasped the 
 Dutchman. "Shall we led zem go free? Shall zey 
 escape ?" 
 
 "We can do nothing more." was Dick's answer, 
 given with decision. "They are gone long ago. The 
 
A Chase and a Fight 67 
 
 forest has swallowed those who are alive. Let them 
 nin. Meinheer. and do not trouble any more alx>nt 
 them at the present time. To-morrow, when there is 
 light, we will visit the bank again and see what has 
 happened to them. For the moment let us look to Mr. 
 Pepson. Xow, Johnnie, steer us for the far side, and 
 when you reach the shadow, come to a stop just inside 
 its edge. Whatever you do. keep steam up. and have 
 the propeller just moving, so that we shall not be 
 drifted down-stream. Now we will light the lamp and 
 see to our friend." 
 
 Without hesitation he took the lead, now that Mr. 
 Pepson was incapacitated, for he realized in a moment 
 that Meinheer Van Somering was not to be relied on 
 in such an emergency. Indeed, he had been struck 
 with amazement at the boldness already displayed by 
 his stout friend, for who would have expected, know- 
 ing him as they did. that he would have dared to stand 
 there so conspicuously on the deck of the launch and 
 fire upon the robbers? Meinheer Van Somering had 
 gone up in Dick's estimation. He had proved that he 
 had some store of courage after all. But he lacked 
 self-control. At this moment when he should have 
 l)een cool and thoughtful, for the danger had passed, 
 he was tramping the deck from end to end. causing the 
 stout launch to heel to either side. And every minute 
 he would halt and stare at the forest which had just 
 Iteen left. At such moments his fist would close round 
 his rifle, while his finger would feel for the trigger. 
 
 "Mcin w.^rd !" he cried. "Bud zey would have 
 killed us! Zey were robbers and murderers. Ah! I 
 shod two of ;^cni. Meinheer Dick, you saw me do id." 
 
68 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "I saw, ' growled our hero, ''but we can talk of that 
 later. Come and help with the lamp. Put your rifle 
 down and leave the robbers to take care of themselves. 
 Come, Meinheer, our comrade may be bleeding to 
 death." 
 
 There was a tone of command now in his voice, and 
 at the sound Meinheer dropped his weapon and came 
 aft. Already Dick had been able to find the lamp, and 
 just as the Dutchman reached him he struck a match 
 and lit the wick of the candle. 
 
 "Hold the lamp, please," he said. "Higher, so that 
 I can get a good view. Now, what has happened? 
 I heard the bullet strike heavily. Ah ! Thank 
 heaven ! He is alive." 
 
 "And zere, I zink, is ze wound. See, Meinheer 
 Dick, zere is blood. Oh, mine poor friend ! How he 
 has been hurd!" 
 
 "Higher !" commanded Dick, as the Dutchman, for- 
 getful of his request, lowered the lamp. "That is 
 right. Keep it there, please, till I have ripped the coat 
 open. Ah, here is another wound in the head. That 
 will account for his being insensible." 
 
 Together, the Dutchman's tendency to undue excite- 
 ment arrested by the coolness displayed by his young 
 companion, they cut the shoulder of the coat away and 
 inspected the wound. Then they went in search of 
 bandages and dressings, for the thoughtful Mr. Pepson 
 had included a cabinet of drugs and instruments in the 
 outfit of the expedition. Neither of the two friends 
 who looked to the wounds had had previous experience, 
 but common sense helped them, while the lamp allowed 
 them to read the clearly printed directions contained in 
 
A Chase and a Fight 69 
 
 the cabinet. They bathed the wounds in the shoulder 
 and the scalp, and applied the dressings. Then they 
 put the anil in a sling, and placed it across the wound- 
 ed man's chest. 
 
 "He is coming to," said Dick, after a while. "We 
 will give him a few drops of water. Hold his head so, 
 Aleinheer. Now I will pour a little between his lips." 
 
 An hour later their friend was conscious again, and 
 was sitting up with his back leaning against the gun- 
 wale. 
 
 'T feel dizzy and my head aches dreadfully," he said, 
 with a plucky smile. "Look in the cabinet, Dick, and 
 you will find something there which will quiet me. 
 Then perhaps I shall get to sleep and be myself to-mor- 
 row. Xe\er fear, my friends. The wounds are not 
 so serious, for the gash in my shoulder is merely a 
 flesh wound, and the bone is quite uninjured. As to 
 the scalp wound. I am a fortunate man. I think that 
 the bullet must have glanced from a bough, for I heard 
 a sound just before I was struck. Then it hit my 
 shoulder, and as it flew on just touched my head, 
 glancing from the bone, and hitting me hard enough to 
 stun me. By the way, I was standing in the water. I 
 suppose Dick pulled me out again? That is another 
 tiebt I owe him." 
 
 "You ought to keep quiet," was our hero's answer, 
 as he arrived with a bottle and a glass in his hand. 
 "Here we are, sir. A teaspoonful in a little water, 
 and then silence. There, drink it up. and sleep. W'e 
 will look to the safety of the boats." 
 
 He held the glass to Mr. Pepson's lips and watched 
 as he feebly drained it. for there was little doubt that 
 
JO With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 the leader was sadly injured, and only his pluck had 
 allowed him to chatter at all. However, he obediently 
 drank the mixture, and seemed to be glad to settle 
 do^^•n on the rug which the Dutchman produced. An- 
 other rug was thrown over him, a cushion placed under 
 the wounded limb, and the lamp removed from before 
 his eyes. Dick and Meinheer retired to the far end of 
 the launch and stood there chatting in whispers, till, 
 in less than half an hour, the deep breathing of the 
 sufferer told that he was asleep. 
 
 All this while the launch, with the boats trailing out 
 behind her, lay in the dense shadow of the river-bank, 
 her propeller barely moving, so that she just held her 
 place in the river. Close at hand could be heard the 
 murmur of the leaves in the forest, the chatter of mon- 
 keys, and the call of night birds, arrested a little while 
 ago by the reports of the rifles. And on the other 
 side a fine moonlit vista was displayed. The surface 
 of the river Pra lay spread out in the rays of the pale 
 African orb, while the water rippled and slid down 
 toward the sea, seeming to be particularly peaceful on 
 this lovely night. Looking at its shining surface, and 
 at the wonderful lights and shadows beyond scattered 
 along the face of the jungle, one almost wondered 
 whether the coming of the robbers were not after all 
 a dream. Whether murder and theft had, in fact, 
 been attempted, and whether away on that far shore 
 there actually lay the dark forms of the attacking 
 natives who had lost their lives in the bold and das- 
 tardly attempt. But there could be no doubt. As 
 Dick Stapleton stood in his shirt sleeves upon the roof 
 of the tiny cabin, rifle in hand, and cartridge bag about 
 
A Chase and a Fight 
 
 / 
 
 liis sturdy shoulders, his eager eyes searched every 
 shadow, and followed every line of river and forest 
 which was illuminated. Suddenly his arm shot out. 
 His figure became rigid, while his finger pointed across 
 the water. 
 
 "There is one of the rascals, at any rate." he said. 
 "He has come to look to his comrades, and no doubt 
 thinks that we are far away by now. See, Meinheer, 
 I could pick him ofif from here as if he were a bird, and 
 I should be justified. But that's not the sort of game 
 I like to play. They're beaten. They've had a lesson, 
 and I fancy Master James Langdon will remember it. 
 As for us. I should say that we have had a very narrow^ 
 escape." 
 
 There was a grunt of approval and acquiescence 
 from Van Somering. a puff of smoke proceeded from 
 his lips, and he growled out a reply. 
 
 "Mein friend," he said, in condescending tones, "we 
 are conquerors, is id nod so? Zen zere is no need to 
 kill more of zese men. Led zem go peacefully while 
 we make ze mosd of ze nighd which remains. Mein- 
 heer, id is near ze hour of midnighd. Your wadch 
 should commence now. I will sleeb. for I am weary." 
 
 He seemed to have forgotten the fact that it was his 
 drowsiness which had almost brought disaster to the 
 expedition, and that Dick's watch should have com- 
 menced at nine and ended at twelve. With a grunt he 
 rolled along the deck, leaving our hero in command of 
 the situation. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 A Question of Importance 
 
 Dick shivered and fidgeted. He tapped the deck gent- 
 ly with his toe, and then got up and clambered to the 
 roof of the tiny cabin again, for he was ill at ease. It 
 was not the chill air of the early morning which made 
 his blood run cold, nor the damp mist which rose on 
 every side from river and jungle, from the stagnant 
 pools lying amidst the roots of giant trees and boulders, 
 and from the mossy margins of the stream, where the 
 eddies played, and the current was still. It was neither 
 of these, for there was no chill in the heart of this 
 African country. The morning was almost as stiflingly 
 hot as the night had been, though the green of the 
 leaves, and the shimmer of the river surface as it met 
 his eye through the thin mist, looked cool and refresh- 
 ing. Dick was uneasy in his mind. As he had sat 
 the hours of darkness through his thoughts had been 
 busy. Remorse, anguish, bitter self-condemnation had 
 come in turn to torture his mind, and now, as the dark- 
 ness waned and the light increased, he was constantly 
 on the move, searching the river-bank on the far side. 
 "There! Yes, that is the tree," he said, as he point- 
 ed to the bush beyond. "I can recognize it, and be- 
 
 72 
 
A Qiiestion of Importance 73 
 
 neatli it lie those puur fellows. 1 killed them! They 
 are stretched out there cold and stiff, those whom the 
 water does not cover. Oh, it is awful to think about." 
 
 He wrung his hands, while there was a look of 
 anguish on his usually jolly face. Had James Lang- 
 don, the rascal who had made the attack in the night 
 which had just passed, been able to see him he would 
 have laughed, for this sturdy young Englishman, look- 
 ing so strong and active on this early morning, would 
 hardly have dared to lift his rifle. He was suffering 
 the torment of mind which has come to many a thou- 
 santl young warriors before him. Not because he 
 wished it, but owing to pure accident, he had the blood 
 of fellow beings on his hands. He had killed men. 
 He had seen them fall. He remembered the horrid 
 gurgling sound made by the unhappy wretch who had 
 fallen into the water and sunk to the mud. The 
 hideous noise had haunted him the night through, so 
 that he was unmanned and shivering. His fists were 
 clenched, and his teeth held tight together. 
 
 "I killed them," he murmured. 
 
 "And they have themselves to thank," said a voice 
 at his elbow. "So that's how the wind blows! Our 
 gallant young agent would rather fall himself and see 
 his comrades massacred than fire on rascals who were 
 ready to murder all. No ! No, I did not mean that, 
 my lad. But — look here!" 
 
 It was Mr. Pepson, standing there on the deck as 
 erect as ever, as if he had received no wound, though 
 the bandages about his head and his shoulder and the 
 blood-stains upi>n them, showed that he undoubtedly 
 had. But Dick had begim to discover some unsus- 
 
74 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 pected points about this employer of his, and had come 
 to the conclusion that he was possessed of no ordinary 
 pluck and go, though he showed it in his own quiet 
 and unassuming manner, and, in addition, that thin 
 and cada\erous though he seemed to be, yet this trader 
 from Sierra Leone was as hard as nails. He 
 stared at him in amazement, and then flushed at his 
 words. 
 
 "Why, you ought to be wrapped in your rug!" he 
 exclaimed sharply. "You are hurt, and need a little 
 nursing." 
 
 "A mere scratch — a flea-bite, I assure you. I have 
 had many w'orse before this, as you may learn when 
 T tell you a little of my life's history. But speaking of 
 rugs. That's what you want, my lad, and a good talk- 
 ing-to besides. Now, listen to me, Dick. I don't 
 blame you, nor do I smile at your thoughts and feel- 
 ings, for every decent fellow has them. I remember 
 a ruffian who thought to rob me in South America, 
 many years ago. "^^s, I was a youngster little older 
 than you are. I shot him dead, and lay down beside 
 him through the night, because that was the safest 
 place. When the sun came up and showed me that I 
 was alone and that there was no more trouble to fear, 
 I looked at that poor fellow. He was lying on his 
 back, his legs curled up beneath him, and his hands 
 stretched out as if he were asleep. But his white face 
 and the pool beside him told me the awful truth. I 
 bolted. I ran away, Dick. I felt like a murderer, 
 and for days wondered whether I should be tracked. 
 Then I saw the other side. A rancher took me in 
 hand, just as I am doing with you, and he made me 
 
A Qjicstlon of Importance 75 
 
 see the right side. W'liy. bless me. the world is filled 
 with honest people and with rogiies, and the latter 
 prey upon their fellows. Are the honest men to put 
 uj) with robbery and violence? Did you agree so easily 
 to James Langdon's taking your gold? Did you? 
 Come, answer the question." 
 
 Dick was cornered, and began to see the other side 
 of the matter. The sun was coming up. too, and the 
 damp mist was already beginning to disappear. Our 
 surroundings often have an immense effect upon the 
 brightness or otherwise of our thoughts, and our hero, 
 usually so jolly and so genial, had felt the depression 
 common to many who keep watch alone during the 
 dark hours after an action. 
 
 "Of course I didn't." he answered. *T tried to 
 shoot him, just as I did last night, and he would have 
 richly deserved his fate." 
 
 "Quite so. And these rascals last night deserved 
 theirs, without a doubt. It happened that you were 
 the one to stand between them and their wishes, and 
 they did their utmost to remove you. Theirs was 
 might against right, and right prevailed. They paid 
 the penalty, and here are you grieving because all has 
 happened as it should. Come. No more of this non- 
 sense! Tell me about the action, for, rememljer. after 
 the moment when we set foot ashore. I know nothing, 
 save that I found myself alx)ard this launch, with you 
 and Meinheer staring into my face. That reminds me. 
 Where is our fine friend? A precious mess his lazi- 
 ness got us into last night." 
 
 "Turned in and snoring." said Dick. "Listen!" 
 
 Alx)ve the ripple of the water and the sough of the 
 
76 With Wolseley to Kiimasi 
 
 wind in the trees the sounds proceeding- from the nose 
 of the Dutchman could be distinctly heard. 
 
 "He must have his sleep," laughed Mr. Pepson. 
 "Did I not tell you that we must needs rely upon our- 
 selves for protection? He is made for commerce, not 
 for warfare." 
 
 "And yet he did well last night. I'll tell you what 
 happened." 
 
 They sat down on the tiny roof while Dick told how 
 the bullet had struck his friend, and how the flash 
 had showed him a dozen men rushing down upon 
 them. 
 
 "That was an awkward position," interrupted his 
 friend. "I understand that I was lying in the water. 
 Covered, in fact?" 
 
 There was a queer little smile on his lips, and he 
 looked swiftly into Dick's honest and open face. 
 
 "Yes. You had gone below the surface. I was 
 stunned by the mishap. I thought it was all up with 
 us." 
 
 "With me, you mean. You could have bolted. The 
 boat was close at hand." 
 
 Dick flushed to the roots of his hair, and tore his 
 hat from his head as if the weight troubled him. He 
 stared at Mr. Pepson in amazement, and then, seeing 
 the smile, smiled back at him. 
 
 "You are chafling me," he said. "Trying to hum- 
 1-ug me. You know well enough that no decent fellow 
 would do that. You wouldn't. I wasn't going to 
 desert a comrade who w^as down and helpless, partic- 
 ularly when there were such ruffians about. So I set 
 to work as quickly as possible." 
 
A Qjicstion of Importance 77 
 
 "You made up your niinel to sec the business 
 through?" 
 
 "Yes. I was staggered at first. Then I caught you 
 up, not too gently, 1 fear, and dumped you into the 
 boat. After that I pushed her out and shoved off into 
 the shadow of the trees." 
 
 "Why? What was your reason?" 
 
 Mr. Pepson was hke an inquisitor. He still smiled 
 the same little smile, and still treated his agent to an 
 occasional flash of his brilliant eyes, as if he would 
 probe him to the utmost depth. 
 
 "My reason? Oh. we were in the light, you see. 
 The moon was up. and the beggars could pot us easily. 
 They had gims, remember, else you would not have 
 been hit. I reckoned — all of a sudden — I don't know 
 how it was, quite — that we should be safer there, and 
 so into the shadow I went. Then they occupied 
 our position. I could see to shoot, while they 
 were Ixithered. Still, they made a fine rush, and 
 things began to look ugly when the launch came 
 into view. Our friend showed his mettle, for 
 he fired at once, and his shot practically ended 
 the engagement. Then we steamed off, and, 
 and " 
 
 "And here we are. And I owe you a life again. 
 Master Dick. \'ery good. No, I won't say a word 
 more, save that you tackled the task well. It was an 
 ugly position and you seem to have chosen the only way 
 out. I'm glad, too, that Meinheer put a spoke in their 
 wheel. Now do me the favour of dressing these 
 wounds again, and then we will breakfast. Get the 
 bandages and a looking-glass, for then I shall be able 
 
78 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 to see the hurts myself, and give an opinion. You see, 
 I am a bit of a surgeon." 
 
 At this moment the blanket beneath which the ample 
 figure of the Dutchman was shrouded stirred and was 
 thrown back, and very soon, yawning and stretching 
 his arms, Meinheer came along the deck. By then 
 Dick had the bandages and fresh dressings, as well as 
 a bowl of water, drawn from the river, and some clean 
 linen to act as a sponge. How different, how light- 
 hearted he looked, for, thanks to his chat with Mr. 
 Pepson, and to the other's common sense, all his wor- 
 ries were dispelled, and he saw things with an eye 
 which was not jaundiced. He had, in fact, reached 
 the stage at which others in a similar position had ar- 
 rived before. He could see that killing was not a joy- 
 ous trade, that no ordinary human being lightly under- 
 took it, and only when circumstances made it impera- 
 tive that he should act so as to protect his own life and 
 that of his friend. Then there was no blame to be 
 attached to the one who had shed the blood of his fel- 
 low, so long as he was not a wanton aggressor. 
 
 ''Here we are," he called out as he came along. 
 "Good day, Meinheer. Hold the bowl, please, while 
 I get the bandages undone. Ah, here's the pin. Now, 
 sit up, sir. That's right. We'll have it done in a 
 
 jiffy." 
 
 Very carefully and skilfully he unwrapped the 
 bandages, and presently the dressing was removed 
 from the shoulder. Mr. Pepson lifted the glass, ar- 
 ranged it so that he could obtain a clear view, and then 
 grunted. 
 
 "Humph!" he said, with one of his inscrutable 
 
A Question of Importance 79 
 
 smiles. "A mere scratch. Take the probe. Dick. Xow 
 dip it into that other bowl which has the carboHc in^ it. 
 That's the way. Gently put it into the wound. No. 
 Don't be nervous. I'll soon shout if it hurts. Press 
 gently towards the other place where the bullet came 
 out. Hah ! A mere flesh wound, karely an inch deep. 
 Not even that. I'm lucky ! The shoulder is scarcely 
 stiff, and a little rest in a sling will put it right in a 
 week. A schoolboy would laugh at it. Put on fresh 
 dressings and we'll inspect the head. Lucky that Pm 
 such a surgeon!" 
 
 He was as cheery as possible, and thanks to his 
 lightheartedness his friends, who had been looking on 
 and helping in the task with some misgivings, began 
 to feel that their comrade was, after all. not so badly 
 hurt. 
 
 "I tell you that it was only the crack on my skull 
 that mattered," persisted Mr. Pepson. "The bullet 
 slipped through my shoulder, a mere wound of the 
 cuticle, and then happened to glance against my scalp 
 and skull. A man can't stand that. It knocks him 
 stupid. That's why I fell, and that's why our young 
 friend had to help me. But it doesn't explain why he 
 — a mere youngster — pulled me through so well, and 
 why he stuck to me when many another would have 
 bolted to save his own skin. Heh? What did you 
 say, Meinheer?" 
 
 "Zat we hab a drasure. Zat Meinheer Dick will Ije 
 a gread man one of zese days. When he is big like 
 me, when he has grown fine and dall, and. and — ah. 
 yes, sdoud, you call him ; yes, when he is sdoud, then 
 he will be one gread, fine man. And he is brave! 
 
8o With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 Yes, I see zad with half one eye, for a brave man knows 
 when he meeds one of ze same." 
 
 "Quite so, Meinheer," answered Mr. Pepson, dryly. 
 "Which reminds me. Dick says that you fired in the 
 nick of time, and turned the tide of the battle. It was 
 a good shot. You did well, and Johnnie also, to bring 
 up the launch just then. But stand aside a little and 
 give me the glass. Hah ! Looks nasty, doesn't it, 
 Dick," he went on, as the wound on his scalp was 
 exposed, and he noticed our hero wince and turn a 
 little pale at the sight. "Come, come ! Looks are the 
 worst part of it. Bathe the wound and cover it again. 
 An Irishman would not give it a second thought. I 
 haven't even a headache." 
 
 He rose to his feet when the dressing was completed, 
 and walked up and down the deck, looking perhaps a 
 little more sallow than usual. But his spirits were not 
 in the least damped or downcast. Indeed, his two com- 
 panions had yet to learn that their leader was, in his 
 quiet way, a remarkable man. As hard as nails, as 
 Dick had already observed, cool and courageous, and 
 possessed of a dogged nature which defied the utmost 
 fatigue, which laughed, or rather smiled only, at dan- 
 ger, and which made light of any wound. Meanwhile, 
 Dick and Johnnie were engaged at the furnace door, 
 and presently the aroma of coffee came to the nostrils 
 of the leader and the Dutchman, causing the latter to 
 turn an eager and expectant gaze in that direction. 
 
 "By Jobe !" he cried, "bud zad is a scend zad is goot, 
 yes, ver goot. Whad shall we ead zis day ?" 
 
 His question was answered almost at once, for 
 Johnnie came along the deck bearing a steaming dish, 
 
A Qiicstion of Importance 8i 
 
 Dick K>llo\\ ing with the coffee and biscuit. The news- 
 paper was again spread on the roof of the cabin, and 
 all set to work with eagerness. 
 
 "And now for future movements. We are a day's 
 journey from the mouth of the river, and three from 
 the mine," said Mr. Pepson. "The question is whether 
 we should push on alone as we are, or whether we 
 should return. There is no doubt that all our Fanti 
 men were in league with these robbers, and left us at 
 the first opportunity." 
 
 "And would do the same again." Dick ventured. 
 "If we returned for a second crew, who is to guarantee 
 that they will not behave in a similar manner?" 
 
 "That is the very point. We should run that dan- 
 ger. What are your views about this attack during the 
 night?" 
 
 He swung round on his elbow and looked keenly at 
 our hero. 
 
 "You saw them," he said. "This precious rascal 
 nearly shot you. How much has he had to do with 
 the matter?" 
 
 "More than any one. I think," was Dick's answer. 
 "I believe him to be a thorough rogue, and in league 
 with the Ashantis. Inquiries which I made at Cape 
 Coast Castle convinced me that he had been engaged 
 on many occasions in running guns and ammunition 
 to the coast, and sending them up-country. Well, we 
 have heard that there is trouble brewing. The natives 
 at Elmina are in almost open insurrection. Murders 
 have been committed under the eyes of the garrison, 
 and a few white men carried off. In addition, there 
 are tidings that parties of Ashanti warriors are in the 
 
82 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 neighborliood of the Pra. It is my opinion that this 
 James Langdon is their spy, that he is watching for 
 them and sending news of the doings at Ehnina and 
 Cape Coast Castle to King Koffee. That would have 
 brought him tidings of our expedition, for all in El- 
 mina and along the coast knew of our intentions " 
 
 "While the king of the Ashantis had given us the 
 concession, and had promised that we should be pro- 
 tected," interposed Mr. Pepson. "Not that I will trust 
 his sable majesty's word. The best protection that we 
 can have will be our rifles. But I interrupted. You 
 think ?" 
 
 "That this James Langdon is a spy, and that while 
 engaged in that work he has time to see to other mat- 
 ters. The cargo we carry is valuable. If he could 
 ha^'e taken the boais the expedition would have been 
 ruined, and we should have had to return. Then, too, 
 we do not know how much more ambitious the scheme 
 of last night's attack may have been. They may have 
 arranged to steal the boats and make sure of their 
 prize, then to return and cut our throats. There were 
 sufficient of them, and I fancy that what James Lang- 
 don would willingly do, the others would also carry 
 out." 
 
 "Precisely. They would hack us all to pieces. 
 Never you hesitate again to shoot, my lad. Where 
 such rascals have to be dealt with it is as well to press 
 a trigger without delay, remembering that the man 
 who hesitates very often is killed before he has another 
 chance. And you think that this ruffian has been on 
 the lookout for us, and that we are not only fortunate 
 in having our goods secure, but also in having our 
 
A Qiiestion of Importance 83 
 
 lives? I believe it. I think the fellow would willing- 
 ly have had a little private revenge with his booty. 
 He has his knife in you, Dick, because you were the 
 first to discover him, and he will not be more friendly 
 disposed to us. for we are whites, and he is an outcast. 
 To return to the subject of Elmina. I heard about 
 the natives. Perhaps Meinheer can tell us more." 
 
 "Zey are pigs. I dell you. Mein word! Bud do 
 you know zis, mine ver good friend? Zese blacks 
 were once servands. Zey would run, and quick, when 
 ze order was give. Now — now zere is no ordering 
 zem. Zed do nod move. Zey glare ad me. ad me, 
 Meinheer \^an Somering. Zey used to sdand and 
 shake, so" — the burly Dutchman let his knees knock 
 together, while he trembled till his fat cheeks quivered 
 — "ver good, now zey laugh, yes zey laugh and nm 
 away." 
 
 "All of which points to disaffection and probable 
 mutiny." said Mr. Pepson. "Then it is clear that a 
 second crew from Elmina would be worse than useless. 
 We shall have dangers to face. We can well do that 
 alone." 
 
 "While I am sure that we can manage the launch 
 and the boats, particularly if we tie up before it is dark, 
 and then change our position once the night has fal- 
 len." 
 
 "A brilliant idea. Dick, and we will carry it out. 
 Once at the stockade I shall have no fear, for the men 
 are Ashanti gold-diggers, who are not much given to 
 fighting. There are a dozen of them, and I think 
 their loyalty can be controlled by the prospect of gold. 
 You see, they are paid a percentage of what they re- 
 
84 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 cover from the soil. Yes, we will push on up-stream 
 and avoid another attack. If there is a moon again 
 we will keep on during the night. Now about those 
 fellows over there. We must go across and see how 
 many are killed, and if any are still living. Meinheer, 
 what do you say?" 
 
 The Dutchman did not reply hastily, for he was con- 
 sidering the danger of such an expedition. However, 
 in his heart of hearts, Meinheer was a humane man 
 when his fears were quieted, and he argued that here 
 there could be no danger. 
 
 "Good. We will go, Meinheer," he said. "Ze 
 sooner ze bedder." 
 
 "And as I am the lightest and perhaps the most 
 active, I will land," added Dick. "Then, in case of 
 an attack, you two can cover me with your rifles. 
 There is no trusting these rascals, particularly when 
 James Langdon commands them." 
 
 A few minutes later the remains of the breakfast 
 had been cleared away, and while the trio smoked their 
 pipes and chatted, Johimie stoked the furnace, throw- 
 ing coal upon it till a column of smoke issued from the 
 funnel. Soon the hiss of steam from the escape told 
 that the launch was ready for a move, and at once Mr. 
 Pepson stepped to the tiller. 
 
 "We'll leave our boats anchored over here," he said, 
 "for it would never do to have them over on the far 
 shore and run the risk of attack. In the confusion, if 
 there were need to escape, they would hamper us, and 
 would perhaps be lost. Make them fast together, Dick, 
 and we'll leave Johnnie in charge." 
 
 Another two minutes saw the launch steaming away 
 
A Qiiestion ot Importance 85 
 
 from beneiuh the Irces uii the eastern side of the I'ra, 
 and presently her nose was pusliing its way through 
 the reeds and oziers which cropped up here and there 
 on the far side. 
 
 Mr. Pepson still hold the tiller, a rifle beside him, 
 and a cigar between his Iii)S. The bulky form of the 
 Dutchman was stretched out on the deck behind the 
 tiny cabin. His ritle was at his shoulder, and he sur- 
 veyed the jungle eagerly, treating every dark patch 
 and shadow to a fierce scowl which boded ill for the 
 man who might be lurking there. His finger on such 
 occasions would go to the trigger of his snider till 
 Dick fi(,lgeted and felt uncomfortable, for he was not 
 far from the line of fire. He lay in the bows, a light 
 bamboo in his hands, with which he every now and 
 again sounded the bed of the river to make sure that 
 there was suiiicient water. A few minutes' gliding 
 along in the shadows brought them to the spot where 
 the action of the previous night had taken place, a spot 
 instantly recognized by the figures lying alx)ut it. For 
 stretched in the sun were the \ictinis of Dick's fire, as 
 yet undiscovered by the river alligators. Dick shud- 
 dered, and transferred his gaze to the bush. Then, 
 remembering Mr. Pepson's words, he looked again. 
 One poor wretch lay face down in the water, his body 
 already almost covered with drifting mud. while his 
 feet protruded on to the land. Close to him lay a 
 second, still and dark, his limbs stretched to their full- 
 est extent, while some paces away were three more of 
 the attackers, all stark and dead. 
 
 "The reward of rascality." cried Mr. Pepson. "A 
 horrid sight, my friends ; but then we might have been 
 
86 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 in their place, and war and battles are always horrid. 
 How's the depth, Dick? Can you get ashore?" 
 
 For answer our hero tried the sounding wdth his 
 stick again, and then stood up. Taking his rifle he 
 dropped lightly into the water and waded ashore. Then 
 he went to the figures lying atout. They were all un- 
 doubtedly dead, and a glance satisfied him of that fact. 
 At once he went on towards the bush, which at this 
 point receded somewhat from the river, and presently 
 something attracted his eye. It was a path leading 
 into the forest, a path freshly broken and trodden, the 
 one, no doubt, by which the robbers had fled. 
 
 "Leave it," shouted Mr. Pepson. "You w-ould be 
 in the middle of the jungle, where all is dark, and we 
 could not help you. Come back. We have learned all 
 that we desired. There are five killed here, and one 
 whom you shot in the first boat. But one moment. 
 Do any of these fellow's belong to our runaw^ay crew?" 
 
 Dick retraced his steps slowly, and reluctantly looked 
 at the bodies again. There was not the slightest doubt 
 that they were the very men who had come from El- 
 mina — all, in fact, save one, whose face was strange. 
 
 "Then James Langdon had others with him," 
 thought Dick. "Somehow, I don't know why, I feel 
 misgivings about that man. His memory haunts me. 
 What if he attacked us again!" 
 
 What if our hero had known that the rufiian whose 
 name he mentioned was at that very moment within 
 little more than a stone's-throw ! That James Lang- 
 don had come down to the river-bank that morning, 
 having left his lair in the forest just as the launch 
 steamed away from her anchorage of the previous 
 
A Qiiestion of Importance 87 
 
 night ! That he had watched with the eagerness and 
 stealth of a fox, and had riibted his hands with deh'ght 
 as he saw the son of the master he had robbed drop 
 into the water! For this half-caste forgot that he 
 himself was to blame for the existence which he now 
 led. for the discomforts which he had now to put up 
 with. He placed all the blame on Dick's shoulders. 
 
 'There he is!" he orrowled. as Dick waded towards 
 the shore. "But for his coming to the coast I should 
 have been able to remain there, still unsuspected, and 
 there, living in a good house, I could still have done 
 this work for King Koffee. And I could have gained 
 riches more quickly. But we shall see. Ah! he is 
 ashore. If he steps nearer I will shoot him like a 
 bird." 
 
 He crouched in the underwood, while his hand went 
 to the pouch at his waist. A growl of anger and dis- 
 gust escaped him. for the revolver which he had car- 
 ried was not there. He had no weapon but a large 
 sheath-knife, which he carried at his hip. 
 
 "It will do as well, and it is silent," he said to him- 
 self. "He is coming. The young fool will walk into 
 the trap, and this time I will not be flurried. He shall 
 come on without a suspicion, and when he has passed 
 me I will leap on his back and there will be an end of 
 the matter." 
 
 His ferrety eyes gleamed with malice. He spat on 
 the hand which was to hold the knife, and then gripped 
 it with all his strength. His limbs arranged them- 
 selves till the man was poised on the tips of his toes 
 and fingers, till he sat crouched in a position to spring 
 upon the back of his unsuspecting foe. Then came the 
 
88 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 voice of the leader. Dick stared into the jungle till 
 the half-caste thought he must be seen. Then he re- 
 tired to the launch, inspected the faces of the slain, 
 and went aboard. 
 
 "My luck !" growled James Langdon. "But the 
 chance will come again. Oh, yes, my friend, Dick 
 Stapleton, you will be sorry one of these days. As 
 for the men who have engaged you as their agent, they 
 are fools. It would be better for them if they had 
 never met you." 
 
 He glared at the launch and her passengers as she 
 steamed away, and still continued to stare at them till 
 they reached the far side of the Pra ; for a thought had 
 struck this ruffian. 
 
 "Why not ?" he asked himself. "They will be alone. 
 There will be gold in plenty. Why should I not have 
 my share of that or take all that they possess? If I 
 have failed this time I shall succeed at the next at- 
 tempt." 
 
 The thought pleased him immensely, for his face 
 lightened, the scowl left his forehead, and for a moment 
 James Langdon looked as if he were not the villain he 
 had proved himself to be. But he would not have de- 
 ceived Dick Stapleton. Had our hero been able to see 
 him there in the bush, he would have suspected the 
 mischief that was brewing, and the misgivings which 
 now filled his mind would have been vastly increased. 
 As it was, he and his friends went on their way up the 
 river, and their adventure of the night almost 
 forgotten in the passing scenes, and in anticipation of 
 the pleasures before them. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 Forest Dangers 
 
 Two days passed without event as the steam launch 
 made her way up tlie river Pra. and each day the 
 stream narrowed. Indeed, the expedition was ap- 
 proaching the bifurcation of the river, and so far had 
 not come upon the tributary which they were to ascend. 
 
 "\\ e shall know it by two enormous cotton trees, 
 one of which has fallen against the other," sang out 
 Mr. Pepson that evening, as the anchor was dropped, 
 and the trio sat down to their meal. "Remember, two 
 cotton trees, one of which is supported by its fellow. 
 Is that not the description, ]Meinheer?" 
 
 "Good. Id is zad. I have never seen him. 
 bud I know. Mcinheer Dick shall hear how I come 
 do find zis place. A native run away to Elmina and 
 draw a map in ze sand wiz his doe. He said, 'Over 
 zere. plendy of gold, and mines close do ze riber.' " 
 
 "And you brought the tale to me," interrupted Mr. 
 Pepson, "with the result that we sent an agent, and 
 after getting his report we obtained a concession, and 
 set native gold-diggers to work. That's the secret of 
 this mine. Dick. It's so close to the river that one can 
 take machinery there, and the winding gear we have 
 
 89 
 
90 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 brought, though small, will be sufficient to tell us 
 whether it is worth our while to bring more. Transport 
 is the main difficulty in this country, and if we have a 
 river, why " 
 
 "Zere is moch gold for all," burst in Meinheer. 
 "Wid a riber we can reach ze mine and can dake our 
 goods. Zen ze ground is clear. Id is rocky soil, and 
 ze fever is nod gread." 
 
 "Which reminds me. We must take precautions," 
 said Mr. Pepson. "I have brought ample supplies of 
 quinine, and we must take a few grains every day. 
 It is the only thing for an Englishman, or for any 
 white man. But that is not the only precaution we 
 must take against malaria. I have not lived in Sierra 
 Leone all these years, nor travelled in many another 
 fever-haunted country, without learning what to avoid. 
 The cause of the fever is too doubtful for me to at- 
 tempt to make a statement, but supposing it is the 
 water, as the doctors say, then we must avoid unboiled 
 or unfiltered water; and boiled water is certainly the 
 safest. We must sleep off the ground, clear of the 
 mists, and must choose the highest spot. If the stock- 
 ade is well posted, all will be right. If not, we will 
 rebuild it. Then there are the mosquitoes. Some, a 
 few only, whose numbers are steadily growing, say 
 that these insects convey the germ of malaria.* Very 
 good. We will keep them away as far as possible by 
 the use of curtains at night. Last of all, the man who 
 exercises in the cool of the morning and evening, who 
 avoids the direct rays of the sun at midday, and who 
 eats and drinks lightly, stands a far better chance than 
 * This is now an accepted fact. 
 
Forest Dangers 9 i 
 
 does the one who is lazy, and who is apt to indulge too 
 much. Pass the biscuit, Dick, and light up if you care 
 to do so, Meinheer," 
 
 According to their usual custom, a custom suggested 
 by Dick, the launch kept her steam in till darkness had 
 fallen, and then, as soon as the anchor had been hoisted, 
 she ran farther up the river, and put over to the oppo- 
 site shore. That done, she was anchored again, fires 
 were banked, and the party settled for the night, the 
 watch being taken in turn. On the following day, 
 after half an hour's run, ^leinheer Van Somering gave 
 vent to a shout of delight. 
 
 "Mein friends !" he cried, as he danced on the deck 
 till the steamer heeled. ''Zose are ze drees. Look you. 
 Two, and one lies on ze ozer. Ah, yes, Meinheeren, 
 and ze riber is zere also. We are proud men 
 do-day !" 
 
 "We are lucky, you mean," answered Mr. Pepson. 
 "Who ever heard of an expedition setting ofif to find a 
 tributary which runs into a river of this size some 
 days' journey from its outlet, a tributary the mouth of 
 which is hidden almost by jungle, and is marked only 
 by two cotton trees. However, there it is, and now 
 we are but a few miles from the landing-stage. Let's 
 push on. It's hot and close here, and the sky is over- 
 cast." 
 
 They turned the nose of the launch for the narrow 
 tributary, and steamed slowly into it, for there was no 
 saying when they might encounter a sunken bough 
 or some other obstacle. On either hand now were 
 trees, the dense forest, while at the base of this forest 
 grew a network of trailing plants. Every variety of 
 
92 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 vine was there, and amongst them the one which pro- 
 duces rubher. Yams were seen in abundance, while 
 orchids and other plants hung from the trees in fes- 
 toons, their blooms illuminating many a dull patch. 
 The banks were composed of slimy ooze and mud, and 
 from these, as the boats trailed past, an occasional 
 loathsome form was seen to waddle, and an alligator 
 splashed into the water. 
 
 "Gentlemen to whom it is well to give the right of 
 way," laughed the leader. "They will do us no harm, 
 but I should be fearful if we were to be upset. Now, 
 how far do we steam?" 
 
 "Five or six mile, Meinheer. You will know when 
 we reach ze road, for zere is a liddle place to land. Oh 
 yes, zere is no difficuldy." 
 
 "Then the sooner we reach the place the better," 
 exclaimed Mr. Pepson. "I don't like the look of the 
 weather. This is hardly the season for rains, but it 
 looks as if we were in for a torrent." 
 
 An hour later a tiny staging was seen on the left 
 bank of the stream, for the river was little more now. 
 Indeed, in most places, the trees actually met over- 
 head, while the dense foliage made the place so dark 
 that dusk might have been falling. But in spite of the 
 shelter obtained from the rays of the sun, the heat was 
 intense. At the point where the staging appeared there 
 was a break in the trees, and, as they drew opposite it, 
 they saw that it had been erected at a point where 
 another stream, a tiny tributary, emerged from the 
 forest. Along its bank there was a path, while its 
 mouth seemed to have been widened. 
 
 "All of which shows that we have a thoughtful 
 
Forest Dangers 93 
 
 agent," said Mr. Pepson. as he put the hehn over. 
 "Back her, Johnnie. Steady. Ahead a httle." 
 
 \'ery easily and gently the four craft were brought 
 into the tributary, their painters being made fast to the 
 trees which came close to the bank. Then the party 
 landed and looked about them. 
 
 "Zis is hod. mein friends," grunted the Dutchman, 
 as he stood panting in his shirt sleeves. "I do nod 
 wish for zis walk in ze foresd." 
 
 "While I shall be glad to get it over," said Mr. Pep- 
 son, with emphasis, casting an eye overhead as he did 
 so. "I tell you we are in for a storm, and that is 
 hardly a pleasant prospect in such a place." 
 
 Dick wondered why, for the mass of the forest which 
 hemmed them in on every side seemed ample to protect 
 them from any harm which might come from a storm. 
 But no doubt his leader had had exj^erience and knew, 
 and at his words he slung his rifle, took a bag of 
 cartridges, and prepared to march. Johnnie, too. leapt 
 to the shore, for there was no longer any need to leave 
 a guard, and within a few^ minutes the party was 
 en route for the gold-mine. 
 
 Almost for the first time in his experience, Dick 
 marched by a forest road, a track cut through the 
 heart of the jungle, and he began to realize what were 
 the difficulties of transport in this remarkable countr}'. 
 For the path was barely wide enough to admit one 
 single man. and the great girth of the Dutchman often 
 brought him into dilticulties. It bore signs of having 
 been cut some weeks before, for the marks of knives 
 and hatchets were often to be seen. But in spite of 
 the care taken in clearing it. parts were already prac- 
 
94 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 tically impassable; for vines and other creepers had 
 grown across it. However, a few sweeps from Mr. 
 Pepson's sword cut them clear, and the party were 
 able to advance. They wound here and there, fol- 
 lowing the track, which deviated so as to avoid large 
 trees and very thick brush. At times they sank to their 
 knees in marsh land, while on several occasions they 
 leaped or waded across streams quietly trickling 
 through the jungle. It was all very new and very 
 strange, and our hero could have enjoyed it more had 
 it not been for the heat. It was intensely hot and 
 muggy. Not a leaf stirred, and not a sound came to 
 them save the creak of an occasional bough, and the 
 crack of twigs wdiich lay underfoot. Bird and beast 
 life seemed to have departed. Mr, Pepson shook his 
 head and hurried on. 
 
 "Better reach the open as soon as we can," he said. 
 "This is no place for a man once the storm breaks. 
 Listen ! It is coming." 
 
 The tops of the trees moved while the tangle of 
 leaves rustled. Dick thought he heard an indefinite 
 sound, a distant hum, gradually rising in intensity, 
 but as yet it was so slight that he was uncertain. He 
 halted as Mr. Pepson turned round and mopped the 
 perspiration from his face. Then, as he replaced his 
 handkerchief, he looked at his chief and started back. 
 For the leader of the expedition, usually so calm and 
 self-possessed, looked as nearly terrified as Dick 
 imagined it would be possible for him to be. He 
 stared overhead, and stood there listening acutely. 
 
 "You hear it?" he asked anxiously. "You hear a 
 moaning sound?" 
 
Forest Dangers 95 
 
 "I fancy I did a minute or so ago, sir. Wait. Yes. 
 There it is, without a doubt, and it is louder." 
 
 "Id is ze wind, mine frien. I zink," gasped Mein- 
 heer, seating himself on a fallen log. 
 
 "The wind! It is the storm. A tornado!" ex- 
 claimed Mr. Pepson. ominously. "I tell you we are 
 in the greatest danger, and that we must act if we wish 
 to be secure. Look about you, and find a spot where 
 there are verv big trees, and numbers of trunks which 
 have fallen." 
 
 He went on all fours and peered into the jungle and 
 up towards the summits of the trees, many of which 
 towered for two hundred feet overhead. And pres- 
 ently, when they had moved on a few yards, Dick's 
 hand went out and he drew his leader's attention to a 
 part which seemed to meet his requirements. A glance 
 seemed to satisfy Mr. Pepson, for in an instant his 
 sword was out again, and he began to hack a road to 
 the spot with all his strength. There was evidently no 
 time for explanation, that Dick could plainly tell, for 
 the distant hum had now risen to a roar, which seemed 
 much nearer, while the tops of the trees above him 
 rocked and strained in the wind. Then they were still 
 again till another gust caught them. Whatever the 
 danger to be feared, he had known Mr. Pepson long 
 enough to be sure that it must be great, else why the 
 haste, why so much anxiety ? Whipping out his sword 
 he fell to beside him, and together, with Meinheer fol- 
 lowing them, his coat over his shoulder, and his hand- 
 kerchief mopping the perspiration from his face, they 
 fought their way through the jungle till they had 
 reached the spot which Dick had pointed out. And 
 
96 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 here Mr. Pepson threw himself exhausted on the 
 ground, gasping with his exertions, while Dick was 
 glad to sit down. As for Johnnie, he crouched at the 
 foot of a giant cotton tree and cowered there. Dick 
 could see the whites of his eyes, and noticed that he 
 trembled. 
 
 "Get in here," suddenly shouted Mr. Pepson. "The 
 very place ! It may shelter us." 
 
 He sprang to his feet, and forcing his way through 
 some feet of the tangle, came to a tree of somewhat 
 smaller dimensions as to height, but of enormous 
 girth. 
 
 Like all the cotton trees in the forest at that point, 
 the roots of this leviathan barely did more than pene- 
 trate the surface of the ground, for it was there that 
 all the moisture lay. Below was a hard stratum which 
 offered opposition, and as a result the roots had spread 
 themselves out over a wide area, while they had risen 
 into the air till there was an archway of large dimen- 
 sions beneath the tree. Dick had seen the same before, 
 and it had attracted his attention. At Mr. Pepson's 
 shout he tore after him, and presently all four were 
 stretched under the arch. Nor were they a minute too 
 soon, for if there had been a roar before, the noise now 
 was deafening and positively awe-inspiring. The 
 gusts which had up to this caught the tops of the trees 
 seemed now to be concentrated into one enormous blast. 
 The very forest shivered and trembled. The tree- 
 tops bent and the trunks groaned. Then the storm 
 burst A sheet of lightning lit up the sky and even 
 penetrated to the forest depths. The roar became even 
 greater, till the volume of sound was positively deafen- 
 
Forest Dangers 97 
 
 ing. .And how the trees bent ! The one beneath which 
 the party lay trembled and swayed. As Dick's hand 
 rested on one of the giant roots he could feel it moving 
 under the strain, and wondered whether the huge mass 
 would topple. 
 
 Crash! There was a shaqD sound as if a cannon of 
 small calibre had been fired, and a mighty tree a few 
 yards away, fractured some feet from its base, came 
 with a thud to the ground. Meinheer hid his face in 
 his hands and groaned, while Johnnie rolled on the 
 ground in terror. 
 
 "That was what I feared," shouted Mr. Pepson, now 
 quite calm. ''There will be many more before the 
 storm is ended. But I fancy we are safe. They will 
 not always fall so close to us." 
 
 Dick looked out into the jungle, his face calm and 
 grave, though in his heart he felt terribly afraid. For 
 this was something against which one could not battle. 
 The storm would have its way whatever man might 
 do, and to stand there utterly helpless, was trying. 
 All round him he could hear tlie crash of trees. One 
 fell even closer than the first, and caused him to step 
 backward in alarm, for the mighty trunk was dropping 
 directly towards him, sheering through everything that 
 stood in its way. It lopped the tops from half a dozen 
 cotton trees, and brought two more crashing through 
 the forest with it. Then, as Dick thought that he and 
 his companions must be destroyed, its branches became 
 entangled in those of the tree which sheltered them. 
 Again he felt the vast mass sway. The trunk actually 
 gave out a loud report as if it had cracked. But it 
 was a veteran, and, thanks to its huge girth, was of 
 
98 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 unusual strength. It stood its ground, and when Dick 
 looked again there was the falling tree held up in mid- 
 air, with its two victims with it. It was a marvellous 
 escape. 
 
 "That is the worst, I should say," said Mr. Pepson, 
 coolly. **It was a narrow shave, I admit, but then I 
 was expecting trouble. We are lucky, I can tell you, 
 and you will realize the fact as we push on again. Ah ! 
 here comes the rain. I fancy we may congratulate 
 ourselves." 
 
 They had indeed every cause to be thankful, for 
 their escape had been a narrrow one. An hour later, 
 when they emerged from the friendly shelter of the 
 tree and struck out on the path once more, all realized 
 this more fully. For hundreds of giants had fallen. 
 Their trunks lay in every direction, many fantastically 
 supported in mid-air, pillowed on the branches of their 
 fellows. 
 
 "That is what one sees all along the coast," said 
 Mr. Pepson, turning his head, "and I am told that some 
 of the caravan routes which pass through this forest 
 toward the interior are often almost completely blocked 
 by fallen trees. It is the weedy youngsters that tumble. 
 They run up swiftly, as straight as a rod, till they 
 overtop the veterans. Then comes a gale, and owing 
 to the nature of the ground and the little hold which 
 their roots give them, they topple over. We've had a 
 lesson, Dick. Keep out of forests in future when the 
 wind blows." 
 
 A little later the party emerged into the open, and 
 were delighted to find that there was a very wide clear- 
 ing, the forest standing back on all sides for more th^n 
 
Forest Dangers 99 
 
 a mile. And in this space the ground rose steeply, till 
 its crest blotted out the view beyond. 
 
 "Rock." said Meinheer Van Somering, with a 
 chuckle of delight. "Dad was ze report, I zink. We 
 were told dad ze mine was well placed. I agree, Mein- 
 heer. for in zis coundry where zere is rock zere is 
 gold." 
 
 At this moment a shout rang out in the silence, and 
 a figure appeared on the crest of the rock. 
 
 "Our Dutch agent," said Mr. Pepson. "He is com- 
 ing down to us, and soon we shall be at the stockade." 
 Indeed, within a quarter of an hour the agent had 
 joined them, making his way down the steep rocky hill 
 by a path which was invisible from where they stood. 
 "Mein word !" exclaimed the Dutchman, as he stared 
 at his agent and watched his agility as he leaped down 
 the steep path. "If zat is ze only way do ze stockade, 
 we shall be dead. Yes, I tell you, we shall die, for 
 who could climb such a blace? Id is too steeb." 
 
 "And happens to be the nearest way," replied Mr. 
 Pepson, reassuringly. "Never fear, Meinheer, there 
 will be an easier way down." 
 
 That the agent was glad to see some white men 
 could not be doubted, for he rushed toward them with 
 a shout, and commenced to greet Meinheer Van Somer- 
 ing volubly. Then he was introduced to the others, 
 and shook hands with an eagerness which showed that 
 for many a week he had had no one there with whom 
 to practise the art. 
 
 "Glad to see you, gentlemen," he cried, in excellent 
 English. "That am I, for it is dull here. When you 
 get to the top I shall show you why. You will see to 
 
loo With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 the right and left trees in one dense mass. To the 
 north and south there is the same. Nothing but trees, 
 and the bkie sky overhead. It becomes tiring. But 
 now you are here and I shah have company. Come 
 this way. We can go by the path which I have just 
 followed, or we can skirt round the hill." 
 
 They elected to go by the latter path, for the steep 
 ascent would have been too much for Meinheer. After 
 an hour's walk they found themselves on the far side 
 of the rocky highland, and there before them lay the 
 stockade, high up on the side of the hill, and within an 
 easy rifle-shot of the forest. 
 
 "Trust a man who has been in these forests before 
 to choose the right spot," said the agent, as he pointed 
 it out. "This is the windward side, and the stockade 
 even under a hot sun is delightfully cool. There is 
 little fever here, and one can cope with it. Mr. Dick, 
 you need have no fears for your health. The loneli- 
 ness is the only thing which will trouble you." 
 
 "I have been thinking about that," answered Dick, 
 "and I fancy I shall do something to distract my 
 thoughts. Work in the mines or something of the 
 sort. Perhaps help to improve the stockade and make 
 it stronger." 
 
 The agent looked at him in surprise. "Stronger!" 
 he exclaimed. "And why?" 
 
 "Because I fancy we might be attacked." 
 
 Our hero felt almost sure that there would be an 
 attempt, for he had not forgotten James Langdon. 
 
 "Attack!" he said disdainfully. "The Ashantis will 
 not harm us. They hate these Fanti men, and it is 
 they against whom they war. They are out now with 
 
Forest Dangers i o i 
 
 the intention of fighting. Trust King Koftee to keep 
 them away from us, for if we were harmed, what 
 would happen to the payments made to him? As to 
 this fellow, James Langdon, I fancy I have met him. 
 You need not fear him, for he will never come so far. 
 If he is in the service of the king of the Ashantis, he 
 will be on the far bank of the river and miles from here. 
 No, Mr. Stapleton, there will be no need to strengthen 
 the post." 
 
 By now they had entered the stockade, and found it 
 to be composed of roughly sawn logs, trimmed with 
 the axe. Here and there a small interval was left for 
 rifles, though it was obvious that the designer of the 
 place expected no trouble. In the centre was a log 
 hut, thatched with long strips of bark, which were 
 pegged down to the timbers beneath. The windows 
 were unglazed, but rough shutters cut from packing 
 boxes were provided. 
 
 "Enter, gentlemen," said the agent, with some signs 
 of pride. "You find yourselves in the salon, the smok- 
 ing-room, and the bedroom of this house. It is only 
 a rough shanty, sufficient to keep out the heat of 
 the sun, and the rains, when they come." 
 
 "And a fine example of your work," exclaimed ]\Ir. 
 Pepson. "Xow% what of the mines? They are close 
 at hand?" 
 
 For answer the agent led the way out of the stockade 
 and down the far side of the hill till the party came to 
 the level ground. And here it was seen that a stream 
 flowed, and lost itself a little way on in the forest. 
 
 "Everything is nicely within reach," said the agent. 
 "You will find that the men work in couples, and as 
 
102 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 there are twelve of them, there are six shafts open. 
 We will go to them." 
 
 They ascended a small rise in front of them, and 
 presently saw some natives working. They were haul- 
 ing up wooden buckets from the mouths of narrow 
 shafts driven into the grouiul, and were depositing 
 their contents in a larger receptacle close at hand. At 
 the river-bank Dick noticed a number of troughs of 
 native workmanship, and began to gather the method 
 adopted by the natives in their mining. 
 
 "It is all very primitive," said the agent, "and no 
 doubt we do not abstract all the gold from the soil. 
 A large part gets washed away. Still, considering 
 our methods, we are doing well, and have already a 
 good store of pure metal. Look into one of the shafts. 
 Yes, continue to look till your eyes become accustomed 
 to the darkness down there. That is the man who is 
 working in the tunnel. You can just see his back. 
 He will call out when his bucket is filled, and his friend 
 up here will haul it up. It is slow, but sure, and in 
 time there is a quantity at the top. If the man below 
 comes to harder soil, his friend goes down to the river 
 and w^ashes. If not. he hauls, and at the end of the 
 day the two wash the gold from the soil which they 
 have gathered." 
 
 "But how on earth does the man get down ?" asked 
 Dick, for he could see that the hauling tackle was too 
 weak for such a task. 
 
 "That again is simplicity itself," was the reply. 
 "You see that the shaft is barely four feet across. The 
 man carries a kind of narrow spade with which he digs 
 the ground. Well, he places that across the top of the 
 
Forest Dangers 103 
 
 shaft, and lowers his feet till they come to a niche on 
 one wall. There it is. You can see it plainly. With 
 his feet secure he leans back till his shoulders are 
 against the far side of the shaft — in fact, till he is 
 across the cutting in a slanting position. Then he re- 
 leases the digger and lowers it, placing it in a similar 
 position across the shaft. And so he descends, repeat- 
 ing the movement to the bottom." 
 
 "Primitive, certainly," agreed Mr. Pepson. "and I 
 think it can be improved upon. We have brought hand- 
 winding gear with us. and they will alter matters. The 
 fellow below can lower himself, or get his friend to do 
 so for him. Then the labour of raising the soil will 
 be lightened. That reminds me. We have left our 
 launch and the canoes at the landing-stage. What 
 steps can we take to get our goods here?" 
 
 "W'e will become porters to-morrow," was the 
 answer. "These Ashanti fellows are good tempered 
 and willing if taken the right way. and you will find 
 that they will undertake the task with pleasure. Leave 
 it to me, sir." 
 
 That night the whole party lay down in the hut 
 within the stockade. On the following day they re- 
 turned to the river, and with the help of the natives 
 had transferred all their belongings to the hut before 
 darkness fell. But it was a more difficult matter to 
 bring the winding gear through, and almost a week 
 passed before it was in position. By then Dick was 
 beginning to feel that he knew something of the work, 
 and even found that he could make himself understood 
 by the natives. 
 
 "I shall have no fears for vou when we leave," said 
 
I04 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 Mr. Pepson, one evening as they smoked their pipes 
 outside the hut. "You hit it ofif well with the natives, 
 and you understand their methods of getting- gold. 
 You will store it, check the amounts they obtain, and 
 pay them in gold dust if they require their money. If 
 not, you will show them what they have earned, with 
 the promise that payment will be made at any time. 
 The store of metal you will keep here. Have no fears 
 for it. I don't believe any one will dare to interfere 
 with you. Now for our movements. I shall wait a 
 little longer till this scalp wound is healed, and then 
 Meinheer, our Dutch agent and I will return to the 
 coast. We shall leave Johnnie and the launch with 
 you, for you will need to send down for stores, and to 
 deposit the gold, and we can return with as much ease 
 by means of one of the boats. Our friend, the agent, 
 tells us that the wind will be set down-stream, and that 
 a sail will carry us to the sea ahriost as soon as would a 
 propeller. From there to Elmina and Cape Coast Cas- 
 tle is nothing." 
 
 Accordingly, some three weeks later, the party set 
 out, Dick passing with them through the forest to the 
 landing-stage. One by one they shook hands with him 
 and entered the native boat. Meinheer Van Somering 
 swept his hat from his head and gave a deep flourish 
 and bow. Mr. Pepson smiled his encouraging smile, 
 while the agent busied himself with the sail. 
 
 "Push off!" sang out the leader, and at the shout 
 Dick sent the boat out into the stream. Her head was 
 pointed down towards the river Pra, her sail filled, and 
 within a minute Dick was alone in the forest. His 
 duties had commenced, he was now sole agent for the 
 
Forest Dangers 105 
 
 gold-miners, the only while man in that part of the 
 African forests, lie turned on his heel, saw that the 
 launch and the other boats were tirnily secured to the 
 bank, and went oft* with his head in the air, whistling 
 cheerily. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 Forewarned is Forearmed 
 
 "I don't like the news, Johnnie/' said our hero, one 
 day, some weeks later, when he had quite settled down 
 to his duties at the mine. "You say you saw some 
 men encamped five miles and more away. Tell me all 
 about them." 
 
 The native lad, an inhabitant of the coast near Sierra 
 Leone, who had come from that part with Mr. Pepson, 
 and who had teen left to keep Dick company and to 
 tend to the launch, put the short black pipe which he 
 was smoking into the other comer of his mouth, and 
 turned his eyes up till the whites alone showed, a trick 
 of which he was very fond. He was, in fact, a comical- 
 looking fellow. Short and square fof a native, with 
 woolly hair, and a few stray wisps of beard at his chin, 
 he was dressed in a much patched pair of breeches, 
 with ragged edges, the tags hanging about his naked 
 toes. These same breeches were suspended from his 
 shoulders by an ancient pair of braces, a gift from Dick 
 himself, while a soiled and disreputable jacket, smeared 
 with many a patch of grease, was over his back, serv- 
 ing for shirt as well as coat. He held a rifle in his 
 
 1 06 
 
Forewarned is Forearmed 107 
 
 hand, and the state of his feet showed that he had just 
 come in from the forest. 
 
 "Me go dere, as you say," he said, taking the pipe 
 from his mouth. "Ale look for something to eat, for 
 massa want fresh meat. And then me see smoke. 
 *Dat strange,' say Johnnie. On de coast where me Hb 
 noting wrong in dat. Fires eberywhere. Smoke all 
 de time. But here " 
 
 Again his eyes turned up as if to show that this 
 smoke was a matter for astonishment. 
 
 "Exactly so. Here one would feel surprised and 
 alarmed. Go on." 
 
 "Den Johnnie tink, and say, *Dese surely bad men, 
 not like Johnnie,' so me start to run 'way. Den me 
 creep back, and soon me see better. Dere ten, tirty, 
 yes, fifty big native, all wid sword and gim, and dey sit 
 round de fire cookin' and eatin'. Me look for dat 
 scoundrel, dat white man who attack us below. But 
 no, he not dere. Den me come 'w^ay and tell massa." 
 
 It was serious news, and for a long while our hero 
 was silent. For three weeks he had gone about his 
 work at the mine till he was thoroughly acquainted 
 with it. He had been down each one of the shafts, 
 and had ingratiated himself with the men. It hap- 
 pened that in two of the shafts a rich deposit of nug- 
 gets had been come upon, not an uncommon find in the 
 goldfields of Ashanti ; and that, together with the in- 
 creased comfort given by the winding gear, all of 
 which was now in place, had so heartened the miners 
 that he was more than popular amongst them. But 
 he was still haunted with the fear of attack. 
 
 "There must l}e people who know that we are here, 
 
io8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 practically with no means of defence," he had said over 
 and over again to himself. "And no doubt the news 
 of a rich find will in time be circulated. \Miat is to 
 prevent a ruffian like James Langdon making a raid 
 upon us? I am here, in charge, and I must take 
 steps." 
 
 That same evening he went to the miners when they 
 had come up from the shafts, and told them the news. 
 
 "Our brothers are at war. There is nothing in this 
 camp to alarm us or you," said their leader, when Dick 
 had made himself understood, a somewhat difficult 
 matter, considering his small knowledge of the lan- 
 guage. "The Ashantis will not touch us. The Fantis 
 would if they could, for we are weak, and should fall 
 an easy prey to them. But these were Ashantis." 
 
 "And to-morrow a force of Fantis might come, 
 too," added Dick. "Then what could we do?" 
 
 "We should be killed, the gold would be taken, and 
 there would be an end of the matter." 
 
 "Then as I have no wish to be killed, I suggest that 
 we take steps to protect ourselves," said Dick. "I have 
 rifles at the stockade for all, and will arrange a signal. 
 You say that you can all shoot. That makes matters 
 better. We will practise to-night. There is a tom- 
 tom at the stockade, left there by one of yourselves per- 
 haps. I will beat that as the signal, and all will at 
 once rush to the place, bringing their store of gold wnth 
 them." 
 
 The miners looked at one another when they heard 
 his words, and then commenced to discuss the matter 
 together ; for it was difficult for them to understand the 
 need for such precautions. They had been at this mine 
 
Forewarned is Forearmed 109 
 
 for some months now. and they had never l:>een dis- 
 turbed. At the same time rumour had reached them 
 that their countrymen w ere at war witli the Fantis, and 
 that being the case, the latter would treat them as 
 enemies. There was a big store of gold, the result of 
 the last month's labour, and that would certainly go. 
 They would be killed, too. and even if they were not, 
 they would lose their wages, now owing for some 
 months. 
 
 "We will do as you ask," said their chief, half an 
 hour later. "There may Ije need for these precautions, 
 and in that case we may have cause to be glad. On 
 the other hand, the time wasted will be only short, and 
 will not matter. What else shall we do?" 
 
 "Make for the stockade, as I have said, and when 
 there we will arrange the method of defence," 
 answered Dick. "Keep your ears open for the 
 signal." 
 
 He left them, and an hour later, having seen Johnnie 
 again in the meanwhile and instructed him to sound 
 the alarm, he retreated to the stockade with the men, 
 waiting till the last to see how^ they carried out the 
 movement. 
 
 "That will do very well." he said, as they arrived, 
 panting, in the stockade. "Xow for other orders. The 
 last man in throws the doors to and is helped by his 
 friends. That is right. We are now^ safely Ijehind 
 stout walls, and can fetch our rifles. They are kept 
 in this rack in the hut, and a bag of ammunition is 
 hung to the muzzle of each. Let every one go in and 
 hel]) himself, and then run out to the walls." 
 
 He watched as the miners, a group of intelligent 
 
iio With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 men. carried out his orders. Then as they came 
 husthng from the hut, pushing each other aside in their 
 eagerness, he arrested them with a shout and with up- 
 hfted hand. 
 
 "Some one will be shot very soon," he said. "Some 
 of you have already loaded, and guns go off sooner 
 than they are wanted to under these circumstances. 
 We must do things in an orderly manner, and each 
 must have an allotted place. Tell your men off to a 
 loophole apiece, chief," he shouted. "Now, that is 
 better, and we will practise the move again." 
 
 Several times they carried out the exercise, Dick 
 making them emerge from the stockade, and then, at a 
 beat on the tom-tom. rush in, close the gates, and go in 
 search of their rifles. No man was allowed to load 
 till he was at his loophole, and then the order was that 
 there should be no firing unless the enemy were clearly 
 seen. 
 
 "We have a fair store of cartridges," said Dick, "but 
 we may have to stand a siege. That being the case, 
 we must not throw them away. Now let each man 
 pick out a tree or some object, and aim at it. I'll give 
 the order to fire." 
 
 By now the miners were beginning to take more than 
 a passing interest in these manoeuvres of their young 
 chief. They had been talking the thing over, and had 
 come to the conclusion that it would be worth while 
 to safeguard their own interests. They had been away 
 from their friends for a long time, and it might be 
 that there was a war of considerable proportions rag- 
 ing, for the Ashantis were at daggers drawn with the 
 Fantis, and took every opportunity of attacking them. 
 
Forewarned is I'orearmcd i i i 
 
 At Dick's call they poured a volley into space, and 
 looked round for more orders. 
 
 "That will do very well for to-day. We will prac- 
 tise again every day, and I want to see that the men 
 at the top of the shaft shout the alarm to their friends 
 below and wait to haul them up. There must be no 
 desertion of comrades." 
 
 Dick was as good as his word. too. The following 
 morning, when he had carefully inspected the sur- 
 roundings, and had seen that the miners were busily 
 at work, he caused Johnnie to sound the alarm again, 
 and stood in the neighbourhood of the shafts till all 
 the men were up. Then the proceedings of the pre- 
 vious evening were repeated. 
 
 "That part of our precautions is arranged," he said 
 to himself, as he smoked a meditative pipe. "Now I 
 must look to another matter. Johnnie and I must take 
 it in turns to go abroad into the forest." 
 
 It was a wise precaution, and from that day, turn 
 and turn about, he or the native stoker, as soon as 
 breakfast was ended, and while the day was still cool, 
 would take a rifle and stalk away towards the forest. 
 Sometimes they would go towards the river, to see 
 that no one had tampered with the launch, and at 
 others they would make in the opposite direction. But 
 whichever road they followed, they were careful not to 
 penetrate too deeply into the jungle, and to take their 
 bearings l^efore entering the bush. 
 
 "We might get lost," said Dick, "and tesides, it is 
 really laborious work cutting a path, however narrow. 
 The main thing is to circle all around the mine, looking 
 for traces of a possible enemy, and, of course, shooting 
 
112 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 any game we may come upon, for fresh meat is a lux- 
 ury." 
 
 One day, a week later, when our hero was out on 
 his tramp, and had proceeded a couple of miles from 
 the mine, he suddenly came to a halt, and stood there 
 listening intently, for a sound had come to his ear. 
 
 ''The tom-tom !" he exclaimed. "I feel sure, and 
 from the direction of the stockade. Can the place be 
 attacked ?" 
 
 The thought threw him into a fever of apprehen- 
 sion, for supposing an enemy had appeared, and his 
 men were within the stockade, what would happen to 
 them without their leader? They were excellent fel- 
 lows, but Dick had come to know that, without some 
 one to direct them, they were useless. 
 
 "They w^ould be all right for an hour or two if not 
 pressed," he said. "But if they were rushed by a 
 strong force — well, it would go hard with them. I 
 must return. But can it be that that tom-tom was not 
 from the mine?" 
 
 That was another momentous question, and, as he 
 pondered over it, the perspiration poured from his fore- 
 head. He turned and retraced his steps at a run, 
 breaking through the jungle in his feverish haste, tear- 
 ing the vines and brambles aside and lacerating his 
 hands and face with the thorns. 
 
 Hark ! This time it was another sound that brought 
 him to a standstill. There was the clear, crisp report 
 of a rifle, a distant shout, and then a medley of sounds, 
 the frantic cries of natives, and the sharp snap of 
 answering firearms. 
 
 The place, then, was attacked. There could be no 
 
Forewarned is Forearmed i i 3 
 
 doubt about the matter. And he, the leader, was out- 
 side the stockade. Dick clenched his hands and ground 
 his teeth with disappointment. He had no fear for 
 himself. He thought last of his own personal safety. 
 A duty had been entrusted to him. He had been placed 
 at the mine to defend it, and he was helpless to direct 
 the men. 
 
 "They must hold their own, then," he gasped. "I 
 cannot get to them yet, and they cannot know where I 
 am. \'ery well, I will go where I can see what is 
 happening, and then I must be guided by circum- 
 stances." 
 
 This time he did not rush through the jungle with 
 such frantic haste. His impetuosity had given way to 
 prudence, and, as he walked, he peered ahead, halting 
 every now and again to make sure that he was not run- 
 ning upon the enemy. As he approached the clearing 
 about the mine the snap of rifles became more audible. 
 It was a spluttering fire now, an occasional shot, and 
 then a succession of reports. 
 
 "That is what I like to hear," he said to himself, 
 'Tt shows that they are not so closely pressed, and I 
 think that they must te holding their own. If my men 
 were being rushed there would be shouts, and rifles 
 would be fired more frequently. Ah. it is getting 
 lighter, and soon I shall be able to see." 
 
 He crept on all fours now, and presently came to 
 the very edge of the jungle. But from where he was 
 he could only see a fraction of the stockade, and not a 
 soul was in sight. To obtain a full view he must creep 
 round to the far side, where the attack was taking 
 place. 
 
114 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "No doubt they have their camp there," he thought, 
 "so I must be doubly careful. I'll slip into the trees 
 again and go cautiously." 
 
 Well was it for him, too, that he took this precau- 
 tion, for he had progressed only a little way when his 
 keen eye caught sight of some natives out in the open. 
 They carried rifles, and were making for the mines. 
 Ditch watched them as they went to the shafts, and 
 saw two of their number lowered into each. Then 
 there was a shout, and they were hauled up again. 
 
 "Looking for possible stragglers," he thought. "It 
 was a lucky idea to have a signal to recall the men. I 
 suppose Johnnie must have sounded it. Ah, the ruf- 
 fians are now looking for gold, but there again I fancy 
 they will be disappointed. How I wish I had a dozen 
 men here ! I could pick the enemy ofif easily, and then 
 a rush might drive the rest away." 
 
 By now the natives were retracing their steps, dis- 
 appointed at their lack of fortune, and at once Dick 
 crawled on again. An hour later he was round at the 
 far side, and had a full view of all that was taking 
 place. A glance showed him that matters were as he 
 had hoped. The timely alarm, the previous training, 
 and the careful instruction which had been given to the 
 miners had resulted in their reaching the stockade in a 
 mass, and in closing the doors on the attackers. Nor 
 were there wanting signs that they had made their 
 presence felt by the enemy, for ten dark figures lay 
 sprawling in the open, some looking as though the men 
 slept, while in other cases the bodies were doubled up 
 in that fantastic position which is seen where men have 
 been killed in the act of charging. 
 
Forewarned is Forearmed 115 
 
 "Showing- that our friends held their fire till they 
 were sure of their aim." said Dick, with a chuckle, his 
 spirits reviving- immensely at the sight. "But the at- 
 tack was a genuine one. for I can see one man close 
 outside the stockade. Perhaps the alarm was only just 
 given in time, and when the miners reached the stock- 
 ade the enemy were in full chase and close behind them. 
 Ah ! They have been making long shots, too." 
 
 His hand went to his trigger suddenly, and he fell 
 on his face in the undergrowth, for he had caught sight 
 of a native some few paces away. He seemed to be 
 leaning against a tree, and was partly in the open. A 
 second glance, however, told that he was dead, for his 
 head lay on his breast, and only the tree which support- 
 ed him prevented his falling from his knees. 
 
 "Looks as though he had knelt to take a shot, and 
 had been killed in the act." thought Dick. "He will 
 be fired at again, perhaps. One of our men will see 
 him, and not knowing that he has already ceased to be 
 an enemy will fire. It would be safer for me to crawl 
 on a little." 
 
 Once more he sneaked through the forest, his senses 
 all alert, for now, at any moment, he might come full 
 upon the enemy. Suddenly he heard voices, and at 
 the sound crouched on his face. Then there came the 
 rustle of vines and leaves, the soft tread of naked feet, 
 and the dull blow of something harder striking the 
 trunk of a tree. The voices grew louder, and, to Dick's 
 consternation, they seemed to be coming directly 
 towards him. He looked about him like a hunted ani- 
 mal, saw an immense cotton tree with wide-spreading 
 roots, just such another as had sheltered the party 
 
1 1 6 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 during the storm which they had encountered in the 
 forest, and promptly crept into the narrow archway 
 beneath. He was barely in time. Hardly had he 
 squatted in the shadow, and found an aperture for his 
 rifle, when a group of natives came into view, slashing 
 the vines and creepers with their knives. And in their 
 midst, his wide-awake hat and sallow features making 
 him conspicuous, appeared James Langdon, his face 
 convulsed, while his hands and teeth were clenched 
 with rage. He could hardly speak, but turned every 
 now and again towards the stockade and shook his 
 fists, while he growled out an oath. 
 
 Once more Dick's rifle went to his shoulder, his 
 cheek lay down on the stock, and he aligned the sights 
 dead upon the half-caste's forehead. One pressure of 
 the finger, the gentlest pull, and the man would be 
 slain. The temptation was great, the call for such 
 action clear, and yet, and yet " 
 
 "Be a sportsman," whispered Dick to himself. 
 "Shoot a fellow in cold blood, Dick Stapleton, even 
 though he be a rogue and a robber? Never !" 
 
 He lowered the rifle, while the half-caste, all uncon- 
 scious of his danger, snatched his hat from his head, 
 and called a halt. It was clear that he was baffled. 
 One could see it on his ugly, resentful face. There 
 was a scowl in his every look, while his eyes, when he 
 turned them towards the stockade, flashed in a manner 
 which boded little good to the defenders, should they 
 come into his power. 
 
 "They have us beaten, comrades," he suddenly ex- 
 claimed, while at the words the scowl became even more 
 pronounced, "This white man is the cause of our 
 
Forewarned is Forearmed 117 
 
 failure. He must lia\e suspected, else how conies it 
 that when we arrived they bolted to their lair? There 
 was a shout as we came from the trees, and then the 
 men at the heads of the shafts began to wind for their 
 lives. In two minutes they were all racing for the 
 stockade, and when we got there they were safe, while 
 their bullets were flying amongst us. It is that cursed 
 Englishman !" 
 
 The bitterness of his misfortune seemed to over- 
 whelm him, lor he threw himself on the grass, mutter- 
 ing and beating his hands together. Then he pulled 
 a cigarette from his pocket, for this half-caste had ac- 
 customed himself to the manners of Europeans, and 
 lit it with a match. 
 
 ''To add to our trouble, there is no gold to be had," 
 he almost shouted. ''The dogs carried their day's tak- 
 ings to the stockade, where the remainder is stacked, 
 I suppose. There are weeks of profit there, comrades ; 
 and we have heard that they have done well. Shall we 
 retire now till our friends come to help us. or shall we 
 make a second attempt ? In a day we can have a hun- 
 dred men to aid us. and then there will be no doubt of 
 success." 
 
 "While the booty will be the smaller, for the reason 
 that it must l^e divided," added one of the natives. 
 
 "Which is better than losing more lives," exclaimed 
 James Langdon. ''Besides, there will be plenty of 
 booty for us all, for you know what is happening. We 
 are on the way to Elniina. Your king is going to 
 drive these white men out of the country, and that 
 means plenty of loot for every man of us. But I will 
 leave it to you. We will attack again now, for there 
 
1 1 8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 are fifty of us, or we will make a ring round them, and 
 hold them tight till our friends come. We have them 
 safely, in any case." 
 
 Dick listened with all his ears. At the mention of 
 reinforcements his heart sank into his boots, while the 
 news that war with Britain had broken out came as a 
 shock to him. True, there had been grave rumours of 
 trouble before he and the expedition had left the coast. 
 But it was expected that the difficulty would be settled 
 amicably. If there was war, he was cut off from his 
 friends. In all probability the enemy were already be- 
 tween him and the coast, and, in any case, they would 
 make for the river. It was a serious situation, and 
 had he been in any other place, and not beset by foes, 
 Dick would then and there have sat down and thought 
 deeply, for, young and inexperienced though he was, 
 his wits had been sharpened by the responsibility 
 thrown upon him. He was naturally a shrewd young 
 fellow ; but till he came to Africa he had never been 
 called upon to settle questions of great moment. He 
 had hardly given a command in his life, save to the 
 boys in his company in the cadet corps at school, and 
 there, there had been no difficulty about the matter. 
 Here, in the heart of the Ashanti forest, it was all so 
 different. And yet Dick did not fall short of the 
 estimate his employers had formed of him. Long be- 
 fore they had departed from the mine they had ap- 
 proved, time and again, their appointment of him as 
 their agent. 
 
 "He is born for command," Mr. Pepson had said. 
 "He is quiet, and inclined to be cool. He wall not be 
 hurried. I've watched him. Rather than give a hasty 
 
Forewarned is Forearmed i i 9 
 
 decision he will slip away for a time, and then one sees 
 him smoking his pipe and evidently cogitating-. That's 
 the sort of lad I can rely on. Ready, if there is need 
 to act in haste, but given to reflection, weighing his 
 words, and venturing no opinion unless he has con- 
 sidered Ije forehand. As to courage — well, that he has, 
 we know." 
 
 Meinheer \^an Somering had invariably replied that 
 Dick was indeed brave, and who could realize the fact 
 if he — a Dutchman — did not do so? 
 
 But under the present circumstances who could give 
 thought to any question? Dick was crouching be- 
 neath the archway of roots within easy reach of a band 
 of cutthroats who had made an attack upon his stock- 
 ade. And in their midst was the ruffian who had 
 systematically robbed his father, and who had wound 
 up his crimes by robbing Dick, and then making a mur- 
 derous attack upon the expedition. Would James 
 Langdon spare him if he happened to discover his 
 whereabouts? Would he cause the forest to be 
 searched if he suspected that hidden within it was the 
 youth whom he had wronged, and against whom he 
 was so embittered? If Dick had had any doubts, the 
 next few words of the miscreant relieved his mind of 
 them, and set the perspiration again pouring from his 
 forehead. 
 
 "Yes," said the half-caste, reflecting. "Our course 
 is clear. We have failed to rush them, thanks to this 
 white man and his precautions. I felt that he would 
 be suspicious of a second attack, and would l)e ready 
 for us. Then we will surround the stockade, for what 
 hope have we of rushing the place? They are armed 
 
I20 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 with sniders, my comrades, and can fire three shots to 
 our one. Then they are under perfect cover, while we 
 are exposed in the open. Xo, no, it would be foolish 
 to attack again. It would be wasting lives. We will 
 sit down and wait for our friends, and when they 
 come, ah ! then there will be a different tale. These 
 miners shall hand over their gold, and this white man 
 — what shall we do with him ? Think of your brothers 
 who are slain!" 
 
 "We shall be able to deal with him," answered one 
 of the natives. "We can send him back to Kumasi, 
 and there he will be slain as a sacrifice. Yes, it will 
 be good to appease our juju with the blood of a white 
 man." 
 
 Dick had heard of the frightful rites perpetrated at 
 Kumasi. He knew that these Ashantis were a warlike 
 race, who were forever battling with their neighbours, 
 and the tale had come to the coast, a tale the truth of 
 which had been proved time and again, of a hideous 
 bowl, of an executioner's heavy knife, and of the man- 
 ner in which the captives were killed. He shuddered 
 when he imagined that he was so near to such a fate. 
 That within a little while he might be in the town of 
 Kumasi, and while thousands looked on, hooting and 
 shouting for joy, and James Langdon mocked at him, 
 eagerly watching for a sign that his captive quailed, 
 while the executioner made ready, might be dragged 
 to that awful bowl, forced to his knees, and have his 
 head struck off at a blow, while his life's blood was 
 caught in the receptacle. Yes, he had heard the de- 
 tails. It was said that many thousand wretched cap- 
 tives uttered their last sigh in this vile town of Kumasi 
 
Forewarned is Forearmed 121 
 
 every year, and that King Koffee and his warriors 
 sought constantly to increase the number. Xo wonder 
 that he shuddered, tliat he cruuclied still lower, while 
 his hands became clammy with fear. The thought un- 
 manned him. These natives, with their leader, looked 
 like ogres waiting to take his life, and he, all alone 
 there, was so helpless. But a sudden movement brought 
 the manhood that was within him to the fore asrain. 
 A native fidgeted. Then he strolled from the band, 
 and noticing the tree, came and sat down with his back 
 leaning against it. Dick could hear his breathing. 
 His own heart, as it thudded against his ribs, sounded 
 even louder, and to him, in the extremity of his danger, 
 it seemed that discovery was an accomplished fact. 
 He gripped the rirte till the cords in his wrists stood 
 out clearly. Then he directed tlie muzzle at the man's 
 neck, while his finger went to the trigger. 
 
 "Then we will arrange our stations." cried James 
 Langdon, suddenly, rising to his feet. "We will sur- 
 round them so thoroughly that there can be no escape. 
 Come, all of you. to the edge of the clearing, so that 
 we may discuss the situation." 
 
 The native rose to his feet at once, to Dick's huge 
 relief, while the whole band crept to the edge of the 
 forest, and looked across at the stockade. In their 
 centre was the half-caste, eager and confident, in com- 
 plete command of his men. and though they were now 
 farther away our hero could distinctly hear and under- 
 stand his directions. The circle was indeed to l^e com- 
 plete. Men were told off to occupy the summit of the 
 rocky crest, from which they could look down upon the 
 stockade. It would be a full moon that night, so that 
 
12 2 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 these natives could watch the surrounding country 
 ahnost as completely as in the daytime. Others were 
 ordered to occupy certain scraps of cover, with direc- 
 tions to fire at any one who showed above the stockade. 
 And lastly, a second ring would encompass the inner 
 one, for James Langdon would leave nothing to chance. 
 
 "We have a crafty fellow to deal with, and a big 
 stake to win," he cried, as he glared across at the 
 stockade. "There is gold there, my comrades, and 
 there are men, too, to repay for the death of your 
 brothers. True, they are of your own country, but 
 they have defied you. They are not fighters. They 
 live for wealth, and run when their country has need of 
 them. Think, too, of the white man. He would be a 
 prize indeed in Kumasi." 
 
 How much longer he would have continued to talk 
 it would be unwise to guess, though there was little 
 doubt that these natives under his leadership required 
 no further encouragement. They were warriors of 
 Ashanti, cruel-minded and blood-thirsty, and it was 
 nothing to them whom they fought if they imagined 
 they had a grievance. But there were others paying 
 attention to that gathering. As the half-caste turned 
 to see what effect his words had had, a single shot rang 
 out crisply from the stockade, and a native standing 
 beside him sprang into the air and fell dead on his 
 face. There was a stampede at once, the gathering 
 broke up and melted into the forest, leaving Dick alone, 
 breathing more freely now that the danger was les- 
 sened. 
 
 "There is some one alert at the stockade," he said, 
 with satisfaction. "Some one who can shoot, too. 
 
Forewarned is Forearmed 123 
 
 Then I need not worry myself for the present. They 
 will do well till I join them. But how is that to be 
 done? Regain the stockade I must, but how, that is 
 the question?" 
 
 It was a sutihciently knotty one, and not to be settled 
 in a moment. Dick reliected that he could still make 
 for the launch and steam down the river, for it was 
 hardly likely that she had been discovered, so well 
 were the creek and the tiny tributary hidden. But 
 then 
 
 "Can't." he said, with decision. ''There are the men 
 and the stockade to be thought of. Besides, I have to 
 think of the gold. I must get to the stockade and join 
 my men. Then we can decide what course to take." 
 
 He lay in his hiding-place for hours, till the twilight 
 came, and then he crept to the clearing and looked out 
 to see if he could discover the position of the natives 
 who formed the inner circle about the stockade. He 
 had heard a shot every now and again, and now as he 
 stared from amidst the ferns and vines, he saw first 
 one and then a dozen dusky prostrate figures, hiding 
 behind boulders of large size, or masses of bush which 
 happened to lie in the open, and which they had been 
 able to reach by stealthily crawling across to them upon 
 their bellies. At the back of the stockade, seeming in 
 that half light to stand on the very top of it. were more 
 figures, half concealed, keeping watch upon the place. 
 
 "Very good." said Dick, as he lay in the bush. "I 
 know where they are at least, and must try to avoid 
 them. Go I must, and if anv man comes in mv way, 
 why " 
 
 He rose to his knees and drew the short sword with 
 
124 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 which Mr. Pepson had provided him. Satisfied that it 
 would easily free itself from the scabbard, he inspected 
 his revolver and popped that back into its case. Then 
 his rifle went across his shoulder, and with a hitch he 
 shortened the sling till there was no danger of the 
 weapon swinging about. Half an hour later twilight 
 had gone and darkness had settled down upon clearing 
 and forest. 
 
 "This is my only chance," said Dick, as he rose to 
 his feet. "There will be darkness for a few minutes, 
 and then the moon will be up. I must make a bold 
 dash for it." 
 
 He swung the rifle back on to his shoulders, drew 
 his sword and revolver, and struck off across the clear- 
 ing in the direction of the stockade. 
 
CHAPTER Mil 
 Besiegers and Besieged 
 
 It wa? intensely dark in the clearing, as our hero 
 struck into it. but by contrast with the shadows in the 
 deptlis of the forest it was light, so that he could see 
 a few feet before him. He could distinguish vaguely 
 the outline of the rocky crest near the summit of which 
 the stockade was posted, and beyond it and to one side 
 the dull black band of the encircling forest. In one 
 direction there was a faint glimmer in the sky, the her- 
 ald of the rising moon, while a glare rose above the 
 stockade, not intense, to be sure, but sufificient to tell 
 him that a fire was burning there. 
 
 "Then they are not alarmed," he whispered, in tones 
 of delight. "They are cooking their evening meal, 
 which reminds me that I am hungry and thirsty, too. 
 I must move on. Hullo!" 
 
 He fell like a stone, and lay with his body pressed 
 close to the ground, for his ear caught a sound, and 
 his eye detected a figure on his right. In that semi- 
 darkness it looked huge and weird in shape, and might 
 have been an ox or any other animal. But the low 
 tones ui men talking showed him that it must be the 
 
 125 
 
126 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 enemy, and caused him to grip his sword with extra 
 determination. 
 
 "Hoot! Hoot!" Once more he heard the call of 
 the night owl, the same cry as had awakened him when 
 ascending the Pra, and which had aroused his sus- 
 picion. It seemed certain that this was the signal com- 
 monly used by the Ashantis, just as it had been for 
 many and many a year by the Red Indians of America. 
 "Hoot! Hoot!" 
 
 The call was repeated, and almost at once, from a 
 point but a few yards nearer to the stockade, came the 
 answer, "Hoot ! Hoot !" Then the men advanced, 
 and halted close to their comrade, W'hile a few words of 
 direction passed. Dick could with pleasure have 
 dropped through the earth, so great was his dismay 
 and consternation. Then he could have shouted with 
 delight. 
 
 "Just a bit of sheer good fortune," he thought. 
 "Here was I advancing right on to one of the enemy, 
 and these fellows gave me a warning. Very well. 
 The hoot of the owl is the signal, and why should I 
 not make it ? Why should I not follow these beggars 
 on their rounds? They will be visiting the sentries, 
 and I shall then know where all are. I will go a little 
 way with them, and then slip through between two of 
 the men." 
 
 It was a brilliant idea, and he set about carrying it 
 out at once. He lifted his head and kept watch on the 
 natives, while he listened to their conversation. Not 
 that he could hear the words, for these men were ex- 
 perienced warriors, and they knew that a whisper car- 
 ried far on such a still night. They conversed in the 
 
Besiegers and Besieged 127 
 
 lowest of tones, and then moved on. "Hoot! Hoot!" 
 The weird caH ag-ain broke the silence, and was re- 
 sponded to. Then the native chiefs who were going 
 the rounds moved on, and after them crept Dick, as 
 silent and stealthy as a snake, one hand placed l)efore 
 the other, groping the ground to see that it was clear 
 of twigs or other material which might betray his 
 presence. Then the other would follow, and after- 
 wards his knees would be drawn up beneath him, and 
 he would repeat the whole pnx:ess. "Hoot! Hoot!" 
 There it was again. A third sentry had been ap- 
 proached, but Dick could not see him even though he 
 was so close. 
 
 "Which shows me clearly how difficult the task is," 
 he thought. "But for those fellows going the rounds 
 I should have walked right on to this batch of sentries, 
 and then there would have been a row. Hullo ! Some 
 one else is on the alert." 
 
 He could have laughed, for as the natives went on 
 their way and repeated their signal, the Ashanti miners 
 in the stockade must have carefully listened. Then 
 they thought they espied the enemy, standing against 
 a piece of open ground which happened to \ye excep- 
 tionally light in colour. Suddenly a single shot rang 
 out, the detonation startling every one, and making 
 our hero jump. For a single instant the stockade be- 
 came outlined, and Dick thought he saw heads peeping 
 up above the baulks of timber. Then all was darkness 
 again and silence, save for the hoot of the native chief 
 and the answer of the sentry. 
 
 "Time to te moving on." thought Dick. "T have 
 barely half an hour in which to reach friends, and now 
 
128 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 is my opportunity. These fellows here will have their 
 attention distracted by the call of their corarades going 
 the rounds. I may manage to get through. In any 
 case I shall chance it, and if I am discovered I shall 
 make a dash for the stockade. I suppose I shall have 
 to run the chance of being shot, for how can my own 
 men know that I am not one of the enemy ? That also 
 I must risk. Anything better than to be out here 
 alone." 
 
 Inch by inch he made his way across the open in the 
 direction of the hill, his eyes turning from side to 
 side, while he halted every minute. He was quite 
 cool now\ The imminence of his danger, the knowl- 
 edge that there were enemies very near and on either 
 hand, seemed to have braced his nerves. His heart 
 had ceased to thump like a sledge-hammer against his 
 ribs, while he could no longer feel his pulses beating 
 and throbbing till it was almost painful. He had need 
 of every faculty, of coolness and courage, and he did 
 not mean to throw away a chance. Hush ! A man, 
 the sentry on his right, sat up suddenly, and as Dick 
 crouched he could see that the fellow was listening. 
 He had heard something which had aroused his sus- 
 picions, and with all the keenness of a native for the 
 chase he would probe the matter to the bottom, he 
 would not be satisfied to rest till he had cleared up the 
 mystery. "Hoot! Hoot!" He sounded the signal, 
 and for an instant our hero's heart failed him. Should 
 he answer ? \\'as he seen ? 
 
 "Yes, I believe he has heard me," he thought. "He 
 wonders who I am. I will answer. Hoot ! Hoot !" 
 
 In very low^ tones he gave the call, and waited 
 
Besiegers and Besieged 129 
 
 eagerly for what was next to happen. Then he gave 
 vent to a sigh of rehef. The man was deceived. He 
 took this other figure for a comrade, and imagining 
 that he was too close, and that the circle would be too 
 open on the farther side, he rose to his knees and 
 crawled to the right, till he was out of sight and hear- 
 ing. After that Dick waited no longer. lie crept 
 forward, stealthily and slowly at first, till he was yards 
 nearer the stockade. Then he increased the pace till 
 he judged that he was clear of the inner line of sen- 
 tries, and almost within hailing distance of his friends. 
 But still he wculd not neglect the precautions he had 
 dccitled were necessary. 
 
 "I feel inclined to jump to my feet and make a bolt 
 fitr it." he thought. "But no, that wouldn't do. and 
 I might easily be shot from the stockade. Slow and 
 sure, said the tortoise, and I'll stick to the motto." 
 
 None but those who have been placed in a similar 
 position can fully appreciate the temptation to which 
 he was put. the huge desire which took hold of him to 
 rise to his feet and run. Dick felt as the man does who 
 is in full view of the rifles of unscrupulous marauders, 
 without cover for many yards, uncertain whether to 
 expect a hail of bullets or not. A sense of dignity, the 
 feeling that it would not be courageous to run, holds 
 one steady; but the temptation is there. There is a 
 queer little feeling in the small of the back, and if one 
 does not run, and conquers the temptation to act as 
 a craven, one longs to look round, to make sure that 
 no vi(jlence is alx>ut to be attemi)tcd. That was how 
 our hero felt, and who will blame him? He was so 
 near a refuge and friends now. and seemed clear of the 
 
130 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 enemy. It would be so easy to run. However, he 
 stuck to his motto, and, still remaining on his knees, 
 slowly crept closer to the stockade. 
 
 Hist ! Something caught his ear, and he sat down 
 to listen for some minutes till he felt sure that he was 
 mistaken. Then he crawled on again, till of a sudden 
 he swung round, and, with a cry of dismay, leaped to 
 his feet. There was a man following him, a figure 
 bent almost double, silently coming up with him. Had 
 he but known, it was the identical sentry whose signal 
 he had answered and who, still suspicious, had returned 
 on his tracks. He was within three yards when Dick 
 saw him, and the cry had hardly left his lips when the 
 man was upon him. 
 
 With all the ferocity of a tiger he leaped at his 
 enemy, native sword in hand, and as the fingers on his 
 left hand closed on Dick's shoulder, the murderous 
 weapon swooped upwards in a stroke meant to transfix 
 his body. But again the white man had good fortune. 
 His guardian angel seemed to be on the watch that 
 night, for the point caught the sling of his rifle, and 
 turning aside the whole blade flashed beneath his arm 
 till the hand which held it came with a thud against 
 his side. 
 
 "Dog!" shouted the man, thinking he had accom- 
 plished his purpose. 
 
 Dick made no answer. He knew that if he did not 
 hold that arm which gripped the sword he was as good 
 as dead, and quick as lightning he took the only step 
 to retain it. As the blade flew beneath his arm, and 
 the man's hand crashed against his side, he brought 
 his own arm down, jamming the native's hand there. 
 
THE nLAUli FLAbllEU ULNKAHl 
 
Besiegers and Besieged 131 
 
 Then he shook his hand from his shoulder, and hfting 
 his own blade, plunged it with all his force into his 
 enemy's breast. 
 
 Hardly had the man fallen at his feet, when a series 
 of shouts rang out, ritlcs l)lazed from the stockade, and 
 ere he could move half a dozen natives were upon him. 
 For Dick had made one miscalculation. He had for- 
 gotten that he was dealing with men who were from 
 their youth trained as warriors, men accustomed to 
 the trail, to forest warfare, and to every form of arti- 
 fice. He had not recollected that these Ashanti fighters 
 had the acutest hearing and phenomenal sight, and he, 
 a mere white man, accustomed to city life, had imag- 
 ined that he could creep through them. Bitterly was 
 he mistaken, for one had first suspected the presence of 
 an enemy and had then followed, while a comrade, dis- 
 covering the fact in some subtle manner, had come on 
 his tracks, five others following. Gradually they had 
 gained on the chase, so that when Dick struck their 
 leader down the rest were almost on him. Again there 
 was a shout, taken up by a score of voices around the 
 clearing, and in a second a fierce hand-to-hand contest 
 had commenced. 
 
 "The white man! The white man! Take him 
 alive! Do not kill him!" 
 
 It was James Langdon's voice, coming from close at 
 hand, for the news that some one was astir had l)een 
 sent to him and he had followed. 
 
 "I give you all warning. Do not slay him, if you 
 value my friendship." 
 
 It was a fortunate thing for our hero, but not so for 
 the natives. Flinging their arms aside they sprang 
 
132 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 forward to bear him to the ground. But if they had 
 orders not to harm him, he had no scruples in kilhng 
 them. The fear of captivity and of its consequences 
 was before him. He struck out bhndly with his sword, 
 and when that was jerked from his hand he opened 
 fire with his revolver, his shots punctuating the shouts 
 of his opponents. But it was a one-sided engagement, 
 and the darkness was against his chances. Already 
 he had almost been borne to the ground by a huge na- 
 tive, who had leaped on his shoulders. But a sudden 
 turn, the shortening of his pistol arm. and a quick and 
 effective shot, had relieved him of the burden. Then 
 two of the enemy had snatched at his legs, while a 
 third aimed for his back, and missed it by the merest 
 chance. He was about to spring again, while others 
 were there now prepared to take his place should he 
 not succeed. Dick was helpless. He had fired his 
 last cartridge, and though he used the butt of the re- 
 volver and his fist, he was already outmatched. The 
 end came quickly. The native behind him caught his 
 rifle in both hands, and then put out all his strength. 
 Dick lost his balance, and dragged by the sling was 
 soon in a heap on the ground. 
 
 "Captured ! We have him ! Tie his legs and carry 
 him off before the other dogs can come!'' 
 
 There was such a hubbub that the words were hardly 
 heard; but the Ashantis knew what was required of 
 them. They slipped a noose over his hands and 
 shoulders, and were drawing it tight when there was a 
 rush of feet in their direction. 
 
 "Dere! Dey here. Come long! Fire!" 
 
 Dick could not believe his ears. He was alreadv be- 
 
Besiegers and Besieged i 3 3 
 
 ing dragged away, when Johnnie's voice broke upon his 
 ear. Then a number of dark figures burst in upon his 
 captors, and a fierce conflict began. 
 
 "Here I am. Tliis way!" he shouted, as he strug- 
 gled with the enemy. "Here! Over here!" 
 
 The gahant fellows from the stockade raced after 
 him, Johnnie Ix^ing at their head. In his hands he 
 held a rifle, and without doubt it was his frantic wield- 
 ing of this weapon which saved the situation. With 
 a crash the stock fell upon the head of the native who 
 had hold of our hero, causing him to fall. Another 
 movement and the same fate overtook another. There 
 was a scream of alarm, a few heavy blows struck by the 
 knives of the men, and Dick was free, unharmed, and 
 in their midst, boiling over with gladness and exulta- 
 tion. They picked him up as if he had been a child, 
 and bore him in triumph to the stockade. 
 
 "Bang de door," said Johnnie, taking upon himself 
 the command of the station. "Now, yo men, jest put 
 de massa down — so. Not throw him down, silly!" 
 
 Utterly oblivious of the fact that the Ashanti gold- 
 miners could not understand, he gave his commands in 
 a tone of comical haughtiness which at another time 
 would have caused Dick to roar with laughter. This 
 was, indeed, a new side to Johnnie's character. But 
 our hero was to learn more. 
 
 "Now man de walls, and shoot dem debils down," 
 shouted Johnnie, taking his rifle and running to an 
 aperture. "Dat so. You quite understand. Den me 
 see to massa." 
 
 He was delighted to have him back, safe and sound, 
 and stood there wringing his hand till it seemed that 
 
134 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 he could never stop. However, Dick was a practical 
 fellow, and it was a long time since he had been in the 
 stockade. 
 
 "Food and something to drink, Johnnie, like a good 
 fellow," he cried. "Run along and see what you've 
 got, while I take a look outside. Now," he said, when 
 he had reached the walls and had discovered the posi- 
 tion of the chief of the miners, "wdiat is your report? 
 Any sign of them?" 
 
 "They have gone back to their posts. We knew 
 that they were watching, and we almost expected an 
 attack. We were looking for you too, chief. You 
 can leave us to guard the place till you are ready to 
 come back to the walls. Go and eat, for you must be 
 hungry." 
 
 Dick undoubtedly was, and fell to eagerly upon the 
 good things which were placed on the folding wooden 
 table in the hut. For Johnnie was general caterer as 
 well as stoker, and in addition, it seemed, commander 
 of the post at a pinch. He placed a bottle of water 
 near at hand, some yams, and a cut of tinned beef, and 
 on these our hero fell. 
 
 "Yo's make de most of dem water," said Johnnie, 
 as he watched his master drink, for it had been a hot 
 day, and never a drop of fluid had Dick been able to 
 touch. "Make de most of him, for dere little more. 
 De jars nearly dry, and where we fill dem again? So 
 drink him to the velly bottom." 
 
 "What ! No water in the place ! Run out already !" 
 
 No wonder that he was again dismayed, for Dick 
 had such a young head upon his shoulders that he 
 could not be expected in a matter of a couple of months 
 
Besiegers and Besieged 135 
 
 or more to correct all the faults coniniittcd by his pre- 
 decessor. True, the site of the stockade was excellent 
 in nearly every respect, for it commanded a wide, open 
 space on every side, and could not be fired into from 
 the crest above. It boasted a moderate amount of 
 shade, for tliere was a small group of trees within the 
 compound, and in addition, it enjoyed a delightful 
 iTceze. which kept it cool, and drove the fever away. 
 It had its failings, however. It could not stand a 
 siege, for the simple reason that it was perched well 
 up above the stream in which the gold was washed. 
 and there was no well. A store of water was carried 
 up every day, and that store had disappeared with 
 rapidity since the miners had taken post at the 
 stockade. 
 
 "I ought to have thought of that before. We should 
 have had a tank or something of the sort," cried Dick, 
 with vexation, quite forgetful of the fact that the near- 
 est point at which such a thing could be obtained was 
 Elmina. 
 
 "Yo's dink him up and smack de lip." said Johnnie. 
 "Xo use make fuss now dat dere no water left. Hab 
 to leave den, dat's all. Get way into de forest." 
 
 "And meet these two hundred Ashanti warriors. 
 No, thank you, Johnnie. Come, tell me how all this 
 has happened. I was away in the forest, and thought 
 I heard the alarm sounded. Then there were shots, 
 and when I came to the clearing and could see. there 
 were Ix^dies lying around, and you were holding the 
 enemy in check. I heard then that two hundred more 
 are expected, and waited till a doul)le ring was thrown 
 round us. Then I came on. And that reminds me. 
 
136 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 It was a plucky rush you made, and just saved me. 
 Thanks, very much." 
 
 "Noding, massa. We wait and we expect yo come. 
 We guess you not seen by de rascal enemy, and we 
 know yo not rush here when it light. De moon com- 
 ing up. See um. Den we guess you come jest after 
 it get dark. We get ready, and den rush. Simple as 
 eatin*." 
 
 "And about the alarm ?" 
 
 "Not so simple," was the candid answer. "Johnnie 
 seem to tink dere trouble coming. Eber since he meet 
 de Ashanti war men he say, 'Dere ruction ahead, dere 
 goin' ter be smash up of de mine. Johnnie look out 
 from de hill when massa gone, every single day, and 
 sit dere waitin' wid de tom-tom. Lucky, too, massa, 
 for we not hab velly much time. Me see black chap 
 come out of de tree, and den dat half-white man who 
 fight us before. Johnnie beat de tom-tom till all de 
 miners hear. Den he run to the stockade and pick up 
 de rifle. He see first one and den all de men racing in, 
 and after dem de enemy. Dey rush right up to de 
 gate. But Johnnie stop um." 
 
 The comical little fellow turned his eyes up to the 
 moon and squinted at Dick. He threw his chest out, 
 stood to his fullest height, and put on an air of dignity. 
 
 "How?" asked Dick. 
 
 "Like dis. De men run in de gate, and de last man 
 bang um to and bolt um. Den we stand at the peep- 
 hole and wait. Two of de rascal come runnin', and 
 Johnnie take good aim. Bang ! When me look 'gain 
 both lying on de face, dead's muttin'." 
 
 "And you took command of the stockade?" 
 
Besiegers and Besieged 137 
 
 "Y's guessed right, niassa. Me luiM de reins. Me 
 shout de ortlers, and de men brave and beliahe dem- 
 selbe^. We lire sK)\v and careful, same as massa tell 
 us, and we still plenty cartridge left." 
 
 "And practically no water. That is the most serious 
 news, and makes it impossible to remain for long 
 where we are. How long will the moon be up, 
 Johnnie?" 
 
 "Soon down," was the answer. *Tn four hour, I 
 tink." 
 
 "Then we will consult with the chief. Fetch him 
 along, Johnnie." 
 
 Dick strolled out into the compound, and having 
 made sure that all was quiet and that the men were 
 alert, he took his seat close to the gate, with Johnnie 
 and the two chief miners Ijeside him. It was a strange 
 place and a stranger hour to have a meeting, and as 
 remarkable, too, was the fact that Dick could only just 
 make himself understood and gather the meaning of 
 the natives, while Johnnie was useless at the task. 
 Still. Dick was able to act as interpreter, for he could 
 speak a little Fanti, and there is only slight difference 
 between that and the Ashanti dialect. Tersely the 
 young leader of the party told his news, how he had 
 overheard the half-caste, and how two hundred Ashanti 
 warriors were expected. 
 
 "They will eat us up." said the chief, with an invol- 
 untary shudder when he heard what Dick had to say. 
 "They will pour like a river up to the gates of the 
 stockade, and we shall not stop them. They will swarm 
 over, and we shall be slain." 
 
 "While if we are successful during the day they 
 
138 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 would certainly succeed at night, chief. Then there is 
 the question of the water," 
 
 The chief shook his head dolefully. 
 
 "We are as good as dead," he said, ''and glad I am 
 that one can meet with death only once. As well sally 
 out now and end the matter." 
 
 "And be shot down like birds," was Dick's answer. 
 "But I agree that the situation is serious. We should 
 be better off were we out in the forest, for there we 
 could divide and scatter. Again, we could make for 
 the launch and steam down the river." 
 
 "If it were possible," cried the chief, with a look of 
 hope in his face. "But how to get away? These 
 foxes close round us. They know that we are secure, 
 for who could leave the stockade now?" 
 
 "I got in safely, thanks to your rush. Why can we 
 not get out again? Can you think of nothing? Come, 
 man, we must make an effort." 
 
 "But it was useless. The chief of the miners could 
 make no suggestion. He and his men were ready to 
 follow their leader to the death, and he could rely 
 upon their courage. But they could offer no plan of 
 escape. They came of a race noted for its ferocity and 
 courage, a race trained to arms, but they were more 
 inclined to the ways of peace. 
 
 "Then I will tell you what I think," said Dick, when 
 many minutes had passed, and the four had stared 
 silently at one another as they sat in the rays of the 
 moon. "W> agree that death waits for us here, 
 whether by the knives of the enemy or by water famine. 
 Then we must go. The question becomes when and 
 how ? I will tell you. We must distract the attention 
 
Besiegers and Besieged 139 
 
 of these men. and this is how I propose tliat \vc shall 
 do it. First of all. however, are there any here who 
 can creep like a snake through the grass and so escape 
 discovery ?" 
 
 The chief threw his head up proudly. "That is one 
 of the first lessons we learned as boys." he said. "There 
 is not a man here who cannot do that." 
 
 "Then this is my plan. As we sit here, the launch 
 lies straight over the crest of the hill where some of 
 the enemy crouch. I believe that so far our toats are 
 undiscovered, and that being so. the enemy will not 
 expect us to take that direction, seeing that it is the 
 roughest and the steepest. It would be natural for us 
 to strike to right or left of the stockade, for the attack 
 has been in the very centre." 
 
 There was a giimt of acquiescence as Dick paused 
 to look at the chiefs. 
 
 "Our chief speaks wisely for one so young." said the 
 leader. "But we know him now, and can expect good 
 advice. Say on." 
 
 "We decide, then, to flee by way of the crest. Then 
 we must make a demonstration in the opposite direc- 
 tion. We will choose that to our right, being the 
 farthest from the crest. We will send out four of 
 our best and most active men just after the moon dis- 
 appears, with orders to get as close as possible to the 
 enemy and then fire on them. These men will retire 
 within five minutes, when they will be joined by more 
 who also will fire. We will move swiftly from right 
 to left and back again, and the men can l)e so dis- 
 posed that there will be no danger of hurting one 
 another. That should alarm the enemy, and. in 
 
140 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 any case, it will attract the attention of those in 
 that quarter." 
 
 "They will take alarm and think that we are at- 
 tempting to break through. They will call in all the 
 men," said the chief, with assurance. 'T begin to fol- 
 low your meaning." 
 
 "While the firing is going on two of our number 
 who are accounted brave" — Dick noticed that the chief 
 again tossed his head into the air — "will creep to the 
 top of the hill and over it. They will be given a ciuar- 
 ter of an hour to see that it is clear. They will not be 
 satisfied till they have killed the sentries or shown that 
 they are absent. Then one will return with the news." 
 
 "And the whole party will follow him," burst in the 
 chief, eagerly. 
 
 "Hardly that," said Dick. "They are still out in 
 the open, and they must retire. Even then the ruse 
 might be discovered if the firing were not continued. 
 The enemy would suspect a ruse and would send out to 
 intercept us." 
 
 "Then what is your plan, chief?" asked the native, 
 his curiosity aroused to the fullest. "The men retire 
 and keep up the firing, you have a man on the crest 
 and the report that all is clear. Surely there will be no 
 need for delay. Haste, rather, is what is called for." 
 
 "Quite so," agreed Dick, quietly. "The men retire, 
 and as they pass into the stockade they each take up a 
 bundle of gold dust, for it would never do to leave our 
 profits to these robbers. Then, led by the man who 
 has descended the ridge, the miners will creep over the 
 crest and descend the hill. They will make for the 
 track in the forest, and will gain the boats as soon as 
 
Besiegers and Besieged 141 
 
 possible. Arrived there, they will get the fire going 
 aboard the launch, hook on one of the boats, or two if 
 they are necessary, and wait for their comrades. I 
 said that one of the latter would be the scout who lay 
 on the crest." 
 
 "That man will be myself," said the chief, calmly. 
 "A leader should always take the post of danger and 
 protect his men. We are not warriors, but we know- 
 how to act." 
 
 "You have proved it already. You will be one of 
 those two. I shall be the other. No. Do not let us 
 argue. Your own words prove that I have taken the 
 proper course. As leader, I remain till all are gone, 
 and I shall keep up a fire with my rifie till all are clear. 
 Then I will take steps to prevent these robbers from 
 carrj'ing off even a stick of firewood, and will rejoin 
 you on the hill. Afterwards we will fight our way to 
 the boats." 
 
 He could see their eyes gleaming there in the moon- 
 light as only the eyes of a dark-skinned man can gleam. 
 The plan pleased them, that was clear, for when Dick 
 had explained it to them to the best of his ability, all 
 in turn gave expression to their approval with grunts, 
 the meaning of which was undoubted. All seemed to 
 think that they were in a very dangerous position, and 
 that if this plan would not help them then nothing 
 would. 
 
 "Better to die sword in hand than at the stroke of a 
 vile executioner," said the chief. "We could sally out 
 and surrender. But would that help us? We should 
 be well received and well fed. The march to Kumasi 
 would l)e by easy stages, and then the trouble would 
 
142 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 commence. Better to die as brave men, than to be 
 slain as cravens, with our arms bound to our backs." 
 
 There was undoubted truth in the statement, and 
 the knowledge of it heartened them all. They would 
 behave as brave men, and would meet this danger with 
 daring. If they prospered, well and good ; if not, then 
 they would not live long to mourn the misfortune. 
 
 "And at any rate, I shall have made sure that that 
 robber, James Langdon, does not reap any advantage," 
 said Dick. "The men will take every ounce of gold, 
 and if hard pressed will open the sacks and scatter the 
 dust. As for the place itself, the half-caste shall not 
 find a home ready built for him should he elect to take 
 up the work of gold-mining. He shall find the land 
 as it was, clear of all houses." 
 
 There was a look of determination on his face. He 
 rose, gripped each of the chiefs by the hand, and went 
 forward to speak to the men, for time was pressing. 
 In an hour the moon would wane, and in two it would 
 be time to set out. Better make the attempt at the 
 earliest moment, and so have ample time for escape. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 Deceiving the Enemy 
 
 "You have been the round of the men and have told 
 them our plan?" askeci Dick, some minutes later, as 
 the chiefs came to his side again. "Is there one who 
 does not understand?"' 
 
 "Not one. white chief. Two are to go to the crest 
 behind when you shall say that the time for that move- 
 ment has come. Those two will be myself and my 
 brother here. If there are men up there they shall die. 
 Those who pass to the front of the stockade know their 
 orders well. Each will attempt to find an enemy, and 
 will fire. He will fire into the forest if he can see 
 none, and will retire slowly, firing occasionally all the 
 while. His duty also is to run from side to side, so 
 that it may trouble the enemy to know where we are 
 coming. But gradually the miners are to collect closer 
 to the right, and we hope the enemy will gather there, 
 too. If all is well with us by then, you will know, for 
 one will return. Then you will pass on to the men in 
 front. They will retire, and we shall make for the 
 forest — that is. all but myself." 
 
 Dick expressed his satisfaction, and was about to 
 turn away when Johnnie came forward to speak to 
 him. 
 
 143 
 
144 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "What Johnnie do?" he asked. 
 
 "You will lead the men to the road through the 
 forest," said Dick. "Once you reach the launch, get 
 your fire going and steam up. Then lay off, with a 
 boat attached, if you think the launch will not carry all 
 of us. See that the gold is packed on board, and, 
 above all, destroy the other boats. Beat them to pieces 
 and sink them in the stream, where they will not block 
 your path. Wait and be ready for those who follow. 
 The chief and myself may have to run for it." 
 
 "And why me not stay to help massa?" demanded 
 the little black fellow, earnestly. "We know de path 
 in de forest. Me quick, and can help. Why me not 
 stay?" 
 
 "Because in this matter of our escape every man 
 must carry out the task for which he is best fitted. We 
 rely on you, Johnnie, to get steam up. If you fail, 
 what will happen to us all ?" 
 
 "Um ! Me see well 'nough now," was the answer. 
 "Me go right 'nough. But me rather stay, massa. 
 Me always want to help." 
 
 Dick patted him on the back, for he had long ago 
 seen that Johnnie was a faithful fellow, and had taken 
 his master into his special favour. He did not trouble 
 to seek the cause, but knew that it was a fact — the little 
 man had been proving his devotion to him in a hundred 
 ways since they two had been left alone at the gold- 
 mine. But had Johnnie been asked, he would have 
 quickly supplied a reason. 
 
 "Me lob Massa Dick," he would often murmur to 
 himself. "He not like some of dese white men who 
 comes to de coast. Dey velly young often — jest like 
 
Deceiving the Enemy 145 
 
 him — and dey tink dat dey oh so much finer dan de 
 poor black man. So dey am ; but no need kick and 
 swear at um. ]\Iassa not hke dat. He say. 'Please, 
 Johnnie,' nice and friendly, when he want him food. 
 And he never forget 'Tank you. Johnnie.' Dat what 
 me like. Me work for man like dat. And massa velly 
 fine young fellow. He brave. He make friend el)ery- 
 where — same's Alassa Pepson and de fat Dutchman. 
 Dey his broders, who lob him same's Johnnie." 
 
 It was a clear explanation, and no doubt was per- 
 fectly truthful. Indeed, there is little doubt that a 
 little more thought on the part of the white man would 
 often result in better relations between himself and the 
 man of darker complexion. Youth and inexperience 
 are no excuse for harsh dealing and bitter words, for 
 sneers and open scoffing. The black man needs special 
 treatment. He can be ruled easily and well. He can 
 be made a faithful and contented servant, and there 
 are none more fitted to be his masters than are English- 
 men. But whatever the black may be, he is a fellow 
 human being, and deserves common kindness and 
 courtesy, till he has proved himself unworthy of either ; 
 and a little care in such matters — more care than is 
 always given — would perhaps lead to better relations 
 in our Indian dominions. 
 
 "Me go wid de first lot. den." said Johnnie. "Time 
 massa reach de launch she hab steam fit to bust." 
 
 "Then off you go to the hut, and bring me along that 
 drum of kerosene oil we use for the miners' lamps. 
 Wait, though. I'll go with you." 
 
 He trudged off to the hut. and tlicre for a quarter 
 of an hour he and the little black stt^kcr were hard at 
 
146 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 work, feeling sure that the miners would meanwhile 
 hold all secure. Indeed, there was little to fear, for the 
 moon was still up, though it was now close to the 
 summit of the tree-tops, and would soon fall below the 
 forest and be hidden. Still, while it was light, move- 
 ment on their part, or on that of the enemy, would be 
 madness. 
 
 ''Now, Johnnie, smartly does it, as the sailors say," 
 cried Dick, as they entered the hut. "We will have 
 that small lantern alight, and then we will commence 
 operations. I am going to lay a little supper for Mas- 
 ter James Langdon, expert thief and murderer. I will 
 leave him a little legacy which will hardly please him. 
 Got the lantern? Then bring all the picks and spare 
 mining tools. Bring everything, in fact, likely to be 
 of use in the mines, and now held in our stores. Pile 
 them in the centre of the floor here close to the drum." 
 
 The native looked up in astonishment, but flew at 
 once to carry out the order. It took very little time, 
 indeed, for the stores held in the hut were not very 
 large or diverse. There were just sufficient spare parts 
 to replace a few breakages — enough, in fact, to keep 
 the mine going in its then primitive condition, and till 
 it had shown whether it was valuable or not. The 
 various articles were dumped down in the centre of 
 the hut, while Dick busied himself with throwing there 
 all the odds and ends of clothing hanging to the walls, 
 scraps of paper, and inflammable articles. 
 
 "Now for the gold/' he said. "We have it in bags 
 already, and have merely to divide it. Let me see. 
 There are twelve miners, and they, with our two selves, 
 make fourteen. Subtract two, for the chief and my- 
 
Deceiving the Knemv 147 
 
 self, who remain behind, and that leaves twelve. Twelve 
 bags, Johnnie, do yoti hear?" 
 
 The native grinned. He began to see a joke in all 
 this hurry and bustle. He darted towards the store of 
 gold, which was kept in small canvas bags, and helped 
 Dick to divide it up. There was not a large quantity, 
 though the mine had done remarkably well. Still, so 
 rich is the ore in Ashanti that, thanks to the work of 
 the miners and Dick's care, the store was of great 
 value. 
 
 '"Me laugh, ha! ha I ha I You see de face ob dat 
 half- white scum," cried Johnnie. "He lob de gold. 
 He say now to himself. 'Me soon wring de neck ob 
 all dem fellers, and special of de white man whom me 
 hate like pisin. Yes, me turn dem out, and den me 
 set Oder boys to work. Yes. fine game me play. Get 
 shaft dug. ground open, all de labour done. Den walk 
 in. find house, plenty gold, stockade, gun, eberyting.' 
 Golly! he make bit mistake dis time. He find nest 
 clear, p'raps. All de eggs cooked, de old birds flown 
 'way, and all velly hot. No gold, no food, noding. 
 Him cuss and swear. Him rabe. Him say. 'Hang 
 dat Dick Stapleton. Me kill um by little inches when 
 me hab de feller.' How Johnnie like to stay and see 
 him go crazy." 
 
 "Thank you, I'd rather be far away," said Dick, 
 with a laugh. "Mister James Langdon is a gentleman 
 who would kill me with less compunction than he 
 would tread on a beetle. No, thanks. No staying for 
 me. 
 
 "No Johnnie, neider. tank you all same, massa. Me 
 get to de steamer, and yo see. \\'hen yo come, she 
 
148 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 fairly jumpin', so ready to go. Yes, me break up de 
 Oder boats and hab all ready. Make no trouble. 
 Johnnie know what to do." 
 
 "Then let's place these bags in a row just inside the 
 door of the stockade," said Dick. "We'll put the lamp 
 there, too, so that the light cannot be seen outside, but 
 so that the men can distinguish the bags. Then, as 
 they retire, they will pick one up and go up the hill. 
 That's all clear. Come along." 
 
 Ten minutes later they had laid the wealth of the 
 gold-mine at the door of the stockade, and each man 
 had been brought to the position and been given full in- 
 structions. 
 
 "You can trust the matter to them entirely, white 
 chief," said the leader of the miners. "You must have 
 seen that they are honest, and besides, all have an in- 
 terest, and if one happened to be a robber, the others 
 would soon arrest him." 
 
 "Then I will complete my arrangements. I see that 
 the moon is almost down. Has there been any move- 
 ment amongst the enemy?" 
 
 "They have crept a little closer," was the answer. 
 "We did not fire, as it did not seem necessary. They 
 have drawn in their circle out here in front, and I be- 
 lieve that they have brought one or two men from the 
 crest." 
 
 It was comforting news, for if the enemy's position 
 were known, the task of the defenders would be easier. 
 
 "They know that our case is desperate," thought 
 Dick, "and they have come in closer to keep us in. 
 They will not make a rush themselves after what I 
 heard them say. Then at the very first our men should 
 
Dccei\ing the Kncmy 149 
 
 be able to locate them and clri\c tlicm back. Cio<xl! 
 Now for the last preparation." 
 
 He went off to a corner of the stockade, and came 
 staggering back with a small barrel over his shoulder, 
 while Johnnie followed with a square case. 
 
 "Place it there carefully," said Dick, as they arrived 
 close to the gate. "Now break it open, and unpack the 
 contents." 
 
 The materials in the l)Ox were rapidly exposed to 
 view, and one by one they handled rockets of enormous 
 size, detonators, and fuses, for an assortment of ex- 
 plosives had been brought to the mines. Dick took the 
 end of a pick and pried the lid off the cask. Then he 
 tore off" his hat. 
 
 "Hold." he said to Johnnie. 'That's right, and 
 keep well away from the lamp. It's gimpowder, and 
 wouUl send us up to the sky. That's the way. Johnnie; 
 now put the barrel down and hold the hat." 
 
 He had filled his hat with the shining black grains, 
 and now he arranged the barrel a few feet within the 
 stockade, covered it with an old cloth which he had 
 saturated with kerosene, and then placed the rockets 
 and other explosives on top. Meanwhile the lamp was 
 kept at a respectful distance. By now the moon had 
 fallen below the tree-tops, and already the light had 
 faded to such an extent that it was difficult to see more 
 than a few feet. It was time to begin moving, and 
 again a call brought all the garrison to the gate. 
 
 "This is the bomb which I hope will help us." said 
 Dick, a grim smile on his lijis. "Look at it there, gun- 
 powder and lx)mbs. \'ery well, then ; I have showed 
 it so that vou will not stumble on to it. Let each one 
 
150 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 now lie down at the gate. When I give you the order 
 you will all file out, and on your return you will find 
 the gold bags where they are now, and the lantern 
 beside them. Each will take a bag and retire to the 
 back of the stockade. There one of your chiefs will be 
 waiting for you, and he will give you the direction. 
 You will make for the forest and the boats. A last 
 warning. Do not get too close to the enemy. You 
 know their position, and can creep sufficiently near to 
 make your shots tell. Shout to one another, and make 
 it appear as though a rush were about to be made. In 
 a quarter of an hour you can begin to retire. Come 
 back, firing slowly. When you meet me I will send 
 the word to each. Then slink ofif at once. Now, 
 Johnnie, the drum of kerosene." 
 
 He took the cap full of gunpowder, and began to lay 
 a train, spilling the black grains in a thick line across 
 the grass towards the hut. He ran it in through the 
 door, taking care to keep the train well to one side 
 where his feet would not touch it. Then he emptied 
 what remained in a pile in the very centre. And 
 meanwhile Johnnie carried the lamp, giving just suffi- 
 cient light to show the way, and holding it as far from 
 his barrel of kerosene as possible. And now there re- 
 mained but two things to do. There were a few drops 
 of water left in the bottle, drops to which the black 
 had drawn Dick's attention without avail. He took 
 them now and threw them on his little heap of powder, 
 stirring the mass with his fingers, and kneading it till 
 he had the substance soft and sticky. Then he ar- 
 ranged it in the shape of a pyramid, and, having made 
 his "devil." carried it into the far corner of the room. 
 
Dccci\ing the Enemy i S ^ 
 
 He still had a few grains of powder left, and these he 
 ran as a train from the devil to the clothing and odd 
 stores which lumbered the floor. 
 
 ''Finished." he said at length, surveying his work 
 with much pleasure. ''Xow the oil." 
 
 Taking the drum, he pulled the cork out of the bung- 
 hole and let the contents pour over the heap in the 
 centre of the hut. He threw some over the walls, 
 saturating every corner save the one in which the devil 
 was placed. Then, carefully avoiding the train, he 
 emerged from the hut, crossed to the gate and repeated 
 the same process, spreading the inflammable fluid all 
 round the rockets and detonators there, and taking it 
 to the walls of the stockade, where he again threw the 
 contents on the woodwork. That done, he put the 
 drum down, and placed the lamp close to the bags of 
 gold. 
 
 "jMind," he said, lifting a warning finger, as he stood 
 in the light, "you each take a teg and go. You leave 
 the lamp burning, remember that. I shall want it to 
 fire the train." 
 
 It was time to move. By now the moon had sunk 
 completely, and dense darkness reigned over the sur- 
 rounding forest and the neighbourhood of the stockade. 
 Our hero looked closely at his men. There was an air 
 of suppressed excitement about them, but he could see 
 no trace of fear. Indeed, these miners had already 
 proved that they possessed courage, and though they 
 were not like their countrymen, for ever practised in 
 the arts of war, yet they had fair knowledge, as their 
 behaviour had already shown. Each carried a rifle in 
 his hand, while a bag of cartridges dangled across his 
 
152 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 shoulder. In addition, the short sword which every 
 Ashanti man wears, hung from the waist, ready for 
 hand-to-hand fighting. They sat on the ground in a 
 circle, talking in whispers and waiting for the signal. 
 
 "Time to move," said Dick, easily. "Open the 
 gates, chief." 
 
 Silently and stealthily, as if they were so many 
 ghosts, the party issued from the stockade, and soon 
 our hero, the two chiefs, and Johnnie, were alone. 
 
 "Five minutes after the first shot is fired you will 
 move," said their young leader. • "It will take three 
 more to reach the crest, and then " 
 
 "It shall be cleared," whispered the chief, with de- 
 termination in his voice. "My comrade and I have 
 sworn that we will slay all who lie there. Trust to us 
 to do the deed without a sound, and to return in time. 
 We will make sure that none are left to spy upon us." 
 
 Five minutes passed slowly, and still there was no 
 sound. Though the four peered from the stockade, 
 intent upon piercing the darkness, and observing the 
 movements of their comrades, there was nothing to be 
 seen. The ground outside might as well have been 
 untenanted. It was tr>'ing work waiting there for the 
 sound of a shot. The seconds were like minutes, so 
 slowly did they seem to go. Dick could hear his own 
 heart thudding, could hear the deep breathing of the 
 chiefs, while ever and anon the weak rays of the lamp 
 showed him the white of Johnnie's eyes, as he turned 
 them towards the sky. Ah! It was a shout which 
 broke the trying silence. 
 
 A shout of alarm, coming from the lips of one of 
 the enemy. And quickly following upon it came the 
 
Dccci\ing the Enemy 153 
 
 sharp report of a rille and a human scream, the cry 
 of some unhappy native who had been hit. After that 
 there was a medley of calls and loud reports. Shouts 
 and cries of rage and excitement came from the enemy, 
 rirtes flashed and roared, while the muzzle-loaders of 
 the Ashanti attackers bellowed as they sent their load 
 of slugs towards the stockade. The air above the en- 
 closure sang with missiles of every description. Angu- 
 lar pieces of lead and iron, bullets of excellent forma- 
 tion, ironstone pebbles and pieces of broken rock, hissed 
 over the hut and stockade in answer to the fire of the 
 defenders. 
 
 "Excellent!" said Dick, as he stared from the gate- 
 way. "They are doing well. If I were not aware of 
 the movement being carried out, I should say that the 
 garrison was making a sortie, or an attempt to break 
 out, and that they were trying to find the weakest spot 
 in the ring thrown round them. Listen to the calls of 
 the enemy, and hark ! there goes a whistle." 
 
 Above' all the sound came the shrill signal, perhaps 
 blown by James Langdon himself. 
 
 "It may be a recall to the men on the crest," he 
 whispered. "Chief, it is time for you and your com- 
 rade to move." 
 
 "We go. In a few minutes you shall hear from us, 
 white chief." 
 
 Dick turned to see the two brave Ashantis passing 
 out of the stockade. In a moment they were gone, 
 and, like their comrades, they made not a sound. He 
 and Johnnie were left alone to listen to the firing and 
 the shouts outside, and to strain their ears for some 
 noise, a shout perhaps, the firing of a rifle, to tell them 
 
154 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 that the chiefs had been discovered. But no signal 
 came from the direction of the crest, they had no inti- 
 mation of the fate which had befahen the plucky two, 
 till of a sudden a figure rose at their feet, causing both 
 to start back. 
 
 "I am sent by my leader," said a voice. "The crest 
 is clear. There were two of the enemy there. They 
 are dead.'' 
 
 Dick could hardly believe his ears, and the news 
 took a load from his mind. If all was clear on the 
 crest, then it was time to set the others moving. He 
 swung round and addressed Johnnie. 
 
 "You stay here till the bags are gone, then follow," 
 he said. *T am going to join our comrades in 
 front." 
 
 When the black stoker looked again his master was 
 gone, and with a sigh and a shiver of apprehension he 
 sat down beside the lamp, and waited there in silence, 
 for he and the Ashanti chief could not understand one 
 another. As for our hero, he crept forward till the 
 shots on either hand told him that he was amongst 
 the men. Then he sought one of them and whispered 
 in his ear, with the result that the miner passed to left 
 and right, giving his comrades the message, with 
 orders to pass it on. It was wonderful with what in- 
 telligence these Ashantis carried out their part of the 
 work. They began to fall back slowly, firing at the 
 flashes of the enemy's rifles, till they were within fifty 
 yards of the stockade. 
 
 "Now begin to hold your fire," said Dick, and in a 
 minute the shots lessened. Another five minutes and 
 the men were slinking back to the stockade, while our 
 
Deceiving the Knemy 155 
 
 hero raced to and fro, firing- his ritle repeatedly, so as 
 to make the enemy think tliat the whole g^arrison was 
 tliere. He fired, in fact, till his weapon was almost 
 too hot to hold, and actually blistered his fingers. And 
 then, when he judged that all must be clear of the 
 stockade, and at the crest by now, he threw down his 
 rifle and ran. Dashing into the stockade, he hardly 
 paused as he snatched up the lamp, and went on pell- 
 mell for the hut. Leaping the train of powder, he ran 
 to the far corner of the building, and knelt beside the 
 "devil." A jerk threw the lantern open, and in a sec- 
 ond he had the candle in his hand. There was no time 
 for hesitation, and at once he held the flame to the 
 devil till it smoked and a few grains fizzled. But it 
 did not fire at once. A little more heat was required, 
 for he had overdamped the powder, and in his over- 
 strung condition the extra time entailed in providing 
 that heat was maddening. At any time the enemy 
 might suspect. They might even then be within the 
 
 stockade. He would then Ah ! It had fired. 
 
 The devil was well alight, throwing out its pungent 
 fumes, till they gripped Dick's throat. He could move. 
 The act was accomplished. The place was as good as 
 fired. 
 
 He rose to his feet, stamped on the candle, and stole 
 to the door. He would have been out in the open in 
 another second had not something suddenly caused 
 him to throw himself full length on the floor, where he 
 lay in deep shadow, while just in front of him a few 
 feeble rays from the spluttering devil passed through 
 the door and showed him tw-o figures. One was the 
 half-caste, while beside him, bending low as they crept 
 
156 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 across the compound, was a native, the ghnt from his 
 enormous blade coming to Dick's eyes. 
 
 "A ruse! We have lost the birds," he heard the 
 half-caste growl huskily, as if his anger were choking 
 him. "But they are close. I know they are near us. 
 Hah ! Look there, chief. A fire. Look ! a fire !" 
 
 They were quite close by now, and Dick saw them 
 both start back. Then, as they caught sight of the 
 spluttering devil and took in the situation, he saw them 
 turn to run. 
 
 "A mine! A mine!" shouted the half-caste. 
 
 Leaping to his feet, he ran towards the gate of the 
 stockade, the native abreast of him, and close on their 
 heels came Dick, aglow with excitement. He was 
 bent on escape. He felt the doors of retreat closing 
 on him, and he was determined to get away. Sudden- 
 ly James Langdon turned and gripped the native. 
 Then he swung round, as if a thought had occurred 
 to him, and he had realized that there was time yet to 
 save an explosion. Lideed, that was his thought, and 
 he at once ran back to the stockade. An instant later 
 he saw Dick's figure bounding towards him in the 
 darkness. He gave vent to a shout, and then crashed 
 up against a boulder which happened to lie there, for 
 our hero's fist had struck him full on the chest. The 
 blow almost staggered Dick, too, but he recovered his 
 balance in a moment, and, swinging round, dealt the 
 native a fierce stroke on the chin, sending him reeling. 
 After that he was off like lightning. He was out of 
 the gate ere a second had passed, and, darting round 
 the stockade, was soon clambering up to the crest. Nor 
 did he halt till he had reached the summit. 
 
Decci\ ing the Enemy 157 
 
 "Rest a moment," said the voice of the chief. "I 
 heard the commotion, and 1 am glad t(j report tliat the 
 men who followed you into the place lied duwn the hill. 
 See the smoke coming from the hut. And there are 
 the flames. We will move when you are ready." 
 
 Some five minutes later the two set off for the forest, 
 the native leading, for he knew the way well, and had 
 this enonnous advantage over his young English 
 leader, that he could see on such a night so well that 
 they never once found themselves in a part where the 
 difficulties of the track haulked their further progress. 
 Since the day on which the expedition had first ar- 
 rived, Dick had often taken the short cut to the forest 
 which the agent had then used, and he knew how steep 
 and difficult it was in parts, and how much care it called 
 for, even when the easiest descents were selected. Had 
 he had to find his way down alone on this night, he 
 would probably have broken a limb, or lost his foothold 
 and rolled, certainly to be dashed senseless before he 
 reached the bottom. Then, too, it was not a time for 
 hurry, such a dark night as this. But they had no 
 choice. They could already see the glare of the flam- 
 ing stockade in the sky. They could hear the shouts 
 of their enemies, and they knew, the native far better 
 than did Dick, that already his countrymen would be 
 on the track. 
 
 "Once in the forest we shall be safe, I think," he 
 said, speaking as easily as if he had made no unusual 
 efforts, though our hero was so short of breath that 
 he gasped. 
 
 "Then we will put out all our strength to reach tha^ 
 place." 
 
158 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 By now they were near the foot of the rocky hill, 
 and presently they were running steadily across the 
 level. At length they reached the edge of the forest, 
 where they halted, Dick to throw himself on the ground 
 and gasp there for breath. 
 
 "A fine bonfire for our enemies," laughed the chief, 
 exulting now that he had left the worst of the danger 
 behind. "How is it that there is no explosion?" 
 
 No explosion! The bomb had failed! Dick 
 looked up suddenly, his fatigue forgotten in an 
 instant. 
 
 "Perhaps we walked through the train and scattered 
 the powder," he said breathlessly. "Yes, I fancy that 
 must be the secret. But it may go yet. The oil should 
 carry the flames." 
 
 A little later, when both were rested, there was a 
 violent concussion in the distance, the report shaking 
 the trees. An instant before, a mass of burning ma- 
 terials shot high up above the crest, while a series of 
 loud explosions took place, as the rockets and detona- 
 tors burst in mid-air. It brought a roar of exultation 
 from the two standing beside the edge of the forest, a 
 roar which changed as quickly into one of consterna- 
 tion. For however successful the bomb had proved, 
 however well it had destroyed the stockade, and per- 
 haps some few of the enemy, the flames it sent into 
 the air lit up the surroundings and showed them that 
 if James Langdon and his men had once been taken in 
 they were not to be so easily caught again ; and, more- 
 over, that on this occasion they were bent on retrieving 
 their misfortunes. For racing down the crest and 
 across the open ground came some forty Ashanti war- 
 
Decci\ ing the Enemy 159 
 
 riors, their guns flung this way and that, and bare 
 swords in their hands. They had discovered the direc- 
 tion of the Hying garrison, and they were in full chase, 
 coming like a pack of hounds who hold the scent and 
 see victory before them. 
 
 "Lead !" said Dick, shortly, as they swung into the 
 forest. "I have my wind now, and can keep up at 
 any pace." 
 
 It was well for him that he could do so, for the track 
 was not an easy one. Still there is no stimulus so 
 strong as that which promises a swift and terrible fate 
 to the one who lags behind. Dick knew what to expect 
 if he were captured, and he went on without flagging. 
 Briars and vines slashed him across both face and 
 hands, lacerating the skin. Thorns plucked him by 
 his clothing and tore it to shreds. He struck his knees 
 against fallen tree-trunks, and his feet against rotting 
 boughs. He plunged through narrow swamps and 
 rivers, and dragged his legs through mire which threat- 
 ened to hold him. And all the time the shouts of the 
 hunters came in his wake. Talk of the music of the 
 hounds! Dick learned during that wild dash through 
 the heart of this dense forest to appreciate the bitter- 
 ness of that statement from the point of view of the 
 quarry fleeing for his very life. He knew now how 
 the call of the pursuers made the blood run cold, how 
 the yelp of Ashanti warriors made the hair rise, and 
 the limbs stand almost still with sheer fright. Yes. 
 he was the hare this time, and had there teen a man at 
 his heels, flogging him with a whip of knotted steel 
 wire, or goading him with spikes, he could not have 
 run harder. The perspiration poured from him. 
 
i6o With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 Blood dripped from many a cut and laceration, while 
 his breath came in short gasps. 
 
 'Tlurrah ! Him massa. Wait now, you young 
 debil. Yo wait till I say go. Hold de fire till I tell 
 yo. Hear? Can't yo hear dem fellers comin'?" 
 
 Once again did Dick learn to bless the sound of that 
 voice. He dashed along beside the creek, saw the 
 launch lying some feet away, and flung himself into 
 the water. The chief followed suit without hesitation, 
 and in a minute they were pushing out into the stream, 
 the two fugitives lying flat upon the deck, breathless 
 and exhausted with their exertions. 
 
 And close on their heels came the enemy, maddened 
 with rage, bent on securing the whole party. As the 
 launch slipped into the stream and rounded the corner, 
 first one and then some thirty of the warriors came 
 tearing along the path, their dark figures hardly dis- 
 tinguishable in spite of the fact that the sky was getting 
 lighter. But they could see clearly. They caught 
 sight of the launch, and with yells of fury made ready 
 to follow and effect her capture. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 A Native Fleet 
 
 "Yo's no need for to worry, massa." sang out Johnnie, 
 severely, as Dick raised his head from his hands and 
 looked along the deck anxiously. F'or the fact that it 
 was empty, save for the chief and himself and three 
 others, caused him sudden anxiety. "Yo's get de wind 
 again, and Johnnie see um all riglit. Wait dar ! Back 
 um ! Yo black boy ober dar, swing um round so !" 
 
 He was in the well where the engine lay. and as he 
 ga\e the orders Dick saw by the light of the furnace 
 that he had shut off steam. Then he waved to the man 
 at the helm, and the launch gently fell across the 
 stream. And there she lay, shrouded in darkness, and 
 hidden from the sight of the pursuers by the bank 
 round the angle of which they were congregated. But 
 whether they could see her or not, the enemy answered 
 James Langdon's shout with a volley from their muz- 
 zle-loaders. 
 
 "That's um. Fire away, you debils. See some fun 
 soon. See what Johnnie and his broders do. Listen 
 to um cussin'." 
 
 He roared with delight, for. as the reports of the 
 
1 62 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 scattered volley subsided the voice of James Langdon 
 again came to the ear. 
 
 "Wade in!" he called out in the Ashanti tongue. 
 "It is only a stream, my brothers, and in that way we 
 shall have them. They must not escape. They have 
 all the gold with them." 
 
 "Yo watch!" said Johnnie, suddenly, as a series of 
 loud splashes told that the enemy were attempting to 
 carry out the movement. "You see fun now, massa. 
 Hi, yo black boys ! Fire de rifle." 
 
 It was laughable, ridiculous, but very wonderful after 
 all, to see Johnnie there, giving commands in his 
 quaint English, commands which could not be under- 
 stood by a single one of the miners. And yet this 
 little stoker had a head on his shoulders, and had 
 shown that he was deserving of much trust. For if 
 he did not know the Ashanti tongue, by means of 
 many jerkings of his arms and a huge amount of 
 energy he could explain his plans, and get the men to 
 fall in with them. And now Dick could see that he 
 had made good use of the short time given him at the 
 launch. 
 
 He had had a clear half-hour, or a little more, per- 
 haps, and in that small space of time he had lit the fire, 
 had stacked the bags of gold, for they could be seen 
 in the cabin, lying snugly under the light of the fur- 
 nace, and had made his arrangements for defence. 
 He had posted his men a little distance away, under 
 the trees, just where they could cover the enemy with 
 their rifles. They were lying in the boat selected for 
 their transport, and in the bows one of their number 
 cowered over the small brass cannon. He had seen a 
 
A Native Fleet 163 
 
 giin before, that was evident, and his eyes gleamed 
 with excitement. He put an arm out. chitched a 
 bough, and moved the position of the boat ever so httle. 
 Then came Johnnie's excited shout, a spout of flame 
 burst from nine or ten ritles, and then there was a 
 short pause, followed by a flash, by the splutter of 
 powder at the vent, and then by an appalling crash as 
 the gun went off. 
 
 "Put um helm ober. boy ! Now give um little steam. 
 Gently ! Back um !" 
 
 Alcove the screams of the enemy, the hoarse Wlows 
 of those who had escaped the rifle bullets and the buck- 
 shot with which the gim had been loaded, for bags of 
 these had been brought as likely to be the proper form 
 of missile, the voice of Johnnie could be heard. 
 
 "Back um! Now, yo black debil in bow, hook um 
 on. Throw de painter 1 ]\Iake up fast as wax. Now 
 gib um steam. Go 'head. Gib um all she know !" 
 
 It might have been rehearsed. It was marvellous 
 to think that all this had been arranged by a little 
 fellow from Sierra Leone, employed as the stoker and 
 driver of a steam launch. Dick was dumbfounded. 
 But by now he was past expressing his feelings, and 
 besides, he was so exhausted that he could hardly 
 speak. He saw, however, that the chief command was 
 in excellent hands for the moment, and. like a sensible 
 fellow, he left Johnnie to conduct the flight till he had 
 his strength again. And so he lay flat on the deck, 
 listening to the shouts of the pursuers, getting now 
 farther and farther away, to the husky voice of James 
 Langdon, as he raced through the trees, and to the 
 mutterings of the native at the engine of the launch. 
 
164 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 Then he smiled, a grim smile of amusement and of 
 exultation, for he had conquered. He had won the 
 fight, an unequal one, to say the least of it, and here he 
 was, thanks to the splendid fellows who supported him, 
 steaming away from the mine without the loss of a 
 single worker, with little to mourn for, and with suffi- 
 cient gold aboard to pay all wages, and leave a very 
 handsome margin with which to reimburse his em- 
 ployers for the burning of their few spare stores and 
 their stockade. In addition, there would be enough to 
 give a fine profit, and such encouragement that when 
 things had quieted down and James Langdon's account 
 had been settled, the mine would be worked again, and 
 he, Dick Stapleton, would have certain employment. 
 
 "De beggar follow. Dey runnin' down in de trees. 
 Berry well ! We stop dat. Yo boys, back dere. Get 
 um guns ready." 
 
 "Tell your men to load and fire into the trees when 
 my comrade gives the command," said Dick, in the 
 Fanti tongue, which all the Ashantis understand. 
 "Now, Johnnie, tell me what you want, and I'll pass 
 on the order. You will command till we reach the 
 river." 
 
 "Tank you, massa," was the answer, as the little 
 fellow swung round for a moment, showing a smiling 
 mouth and two rows of gleaming teeth. "You watch, 
 and see me gib dem pepper. Me gib dem fellows 
 beans." 
 
 He cut the steam off just a little till the launch 
 slowed down, and till the Ashantis on the bank began 
 to overhaul her. Meanwhile all aboard the launch 
 maintained silence. Then again the native stoker 
 
A Native Fleet 165 
 
 shouted a command, and a hot musketry fire was 
 poured into the forest. At the same instant the launch 
 started forward as if she had been hit, and with the 
 boat in tow went racing down the tributary. Xotli- 
 ing could stop her now. Bullets and slugs whizzed 
 overhead, and a few struck the deck and the sides of 
 the towing boat. But they could not arrest the flight, 
 while the pursuers might shout and bawl as they liked. 
 The launch sped on her way, causing the water to 
 flood the muddy banks on either side, and disturbing 
 more than one of the loathsome monsters reclining 
 there. They came to a bend suddenly. She swung 
 round it, dashed for an open reach, and shot out into 
 the stream. 
 
 "Well done!" cried Dick, rising to his feet, and tak- 
 ing his post as leader again. "\'ery well done, Johnnie. 
 You are a born commander. Now, put out into mid- 
 stream and send her ahead. How's steam, my lad?" 
 
 " 'Xough to bust um, massa. Plenty steam and heap 
 coal." 
 
 "Then keep her going while I talk to the chief." 
 
 He went right aft, to where the leader of the miners 
 sat beside his comrade, staring to either hand and dis- 
 cussing the flight with his friend. Within six feet of 
 them, at the end of the towing rope, lay the boat, with 
 ten men aboard her, all with rifles in their hands, eager- 
 ly scanning the bank from which the last shots had 
 come. Overhead the sky was already distinctly lighter. 
 The forest on either hand had receded all of a sudden, 
 while there were evident signs of coming day. 
 
 Every face atoard the two boats bore the same ex- 
 pression of contentment, of pride, at the success of 
 
i66 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 their efforts. There was even a sterner look, as if 
 many of the men would have delighted in another 
 brush with the enemy. 
 
 "Never fear," said Dick to the chief, "there will be 
 more blows to be struck yet. We have miles of river 
 to traverse, and if the Ashantis are on the war-path, 
 it is more than likely that we shall have to run the 
 gauntlet of a few of them. What do you think, chief?" 
 
 "We shall meet them on the Prahsu," was the answer. 
 "There will be more trouble both for us and for the 
 English chief. As for these others who have just at- 
 tacked us, they are beaten. They may cover their 
 heads and seek women for attack after this. Men will 
 laugh at them. The two hundred who are to follow 
 will surely cut them to pieces if these remain to tell the 
 tale." 
 
 "Then we can take it easily now. We can reserve 
 our coal, and prepare for this other meeting, chief. 
 Why should we not run down the stream at night, or 
 at least down that part known as the Prahsu?" 
 
 "The scheme is a good one," was the answer, "and 
 for the white chief and his servant it will be as well to 
 act as you say. For us there must be a different ar- 
 rangement. Has our brother thought of the fate which 
 will come to men of Ashanti should they land on the 
 far bank some miles down this river ? There the cow- 
 ardly Fantis live, and with them we are forever at war. 
 They would kill us most certainly." 
 
 Dick had not thought of that before, and the news 
 came as a shock to him. If that were the case, and 
 these miners from Ashanti would be in danger lower 
 down the river, where would they be safe ? In Elmina ? 
 
A Nati\c Fleet 167 
 
 "Then wc shall have to part. T fear." he said, after 
 some minutes' thought. "The Fantis swarm lower 
 down the stream, and thoug-h some might he friendly, 
 others would soon make an attack upon you. Where 
 can you go?" 
 
 "There are villages in our own country where we 
 shall be secure, white chief. Already the fighting men 
 will have left, so that our coming will not be noticed, 
 and there will be none strong enough to harm us. 
 Then, as the warriors return, we can leave. When all 
 is quiet we will go to the mine and commence work 
 again, for you will return?" 
 
 "I should say that we shall do that without a doubt," 
 answered Dick. "The gold obtained has been abund- 
 ant, and my employers will come again when the coun- 
 try has grown quiet. Perhai)s this trouble will die 
 down rapidly, and we shall be back in a month or 
 two." 
 
 "You may. and yet I doubt it. Englishman. This 
 war has been the thought of my countrj^nen for many 
 years. They long to reach the coast, to have their 
 own town there, where they may obtain supplies and 
 guns. Yes, we know that, for we have listened to 
 their talk. And besides, our brothers are born to fight. 
 In times of peace they have little to do, and so it hap- 
 pens that we are forever quarrelling with those who 
 live near at hand. A few, like ourselves, are trained 
 to mine, and the king keeps us free from interference. 
 We are necessary, for with gold the king buys guns 
 and powder, and in our country it is a law that every 
 nugget found goes to him as tribute. The dust be- 
 longs to tlie diggers, while thcKse who dare to conceal 
 
i6 8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 the nuggets, even if they be only as small as the smallest 
 bean, are taken to Kumasi and sacrificed. Thus, as I 
 said, we can return to the villages, and we shall be 
 safe so long as we can keep away from the war parties. 
 For they will know that we come from the mine, and 
 doubtless the king, having declared that he will fight 
 the Fantis and the English, has given orders for all 
 who worked there to be slain or taken captive." 
 
 "And how do you propose to avoid these war par- 
 ties?" asked Dick, anxiously. 
 
 'Tn this way. We will steam on till we are clear 
 of these cravens who attacked us, and as the moon 
 grows near we will tie up under the bank. Then, if 
 our white chief agrees, we will serve out the dust, each 
 man taking what is due to him. Then we will dive 
 into the forest, and will make for Kumasi. Trust us 
 to keep away from the fighters." 
 
 "While I shall have to run down-stream alone and 
 escape them if I can." 
 
 "We would gladly come with you," said the native, 
 "but it would mean death to us. If the white chief 
 desires it we will come." 
 
 "No. I will go alone. You have done splendidly," 
 said Dick. "You have proved true and more than 
 brave. I shall report that to our employers. We will 
 steam on for a little while, and then we will serve out 
 the wages. Later we shall hope to meet again at the 
 mine." 
 
 Little did Dick giiess that this river would be dyed 
 in many places with the blood of men ere the country 
 was quiet again, and that the forests and woods would 
 echo to the cheers of British soldiers ere King Koffee, 
 
A Native Fleet 169 
 
 the arrogant and bloodthirsty potentate of Kumasi, 
 would consent to withdraw his fighters. He did not 
 know that even then telegrams were speeding home to 
 England, that the situation at Elmina and at Cape 
 Coast Castle was serious in the extreme, and that noth- 
 ing but war and rumours of war were in the air. Little 
 did he dream that he was still within the nest of a 
 hornet, almost the only man of his colour still alive so 
 many miles from the coast. How was he to learn 
 that thousands of warriors were on the march, and 
 that the forest paths were teeming with men of 
 Ashanti ? It was enough for him to remember the 
 danger from which he had escaped. The memory of 
 it, and of the successful defence and escape, filled him 
 with glee, and he looked forward to the brush which 
 he might have on his way down the Pra with a light 
 heart which defied all thoughts of failure. 
 
 Two hours later the launch ran in to the bank, and 
 was moored under the trees. Then the books showing 
 the amounts due to the miners were produced, for Dick 
 had had the care of these, and had sent them to the 
 launch in one of the bags. There was a pair of scales 
 also, and very soon the portions were separated, four 
 ounces of gold going to swell each little heap, as a 
 special reward for the manner in which the men had 
 fought. Then each of the heaps was sewn up in a 
 piece of canvas, and secreted upon the person of the 
 owner. The remainder of the dust was stored in the 
 cabin again, and, that done, the launch put out from 
 the bank, and ran to the far side of the river. Then, 
 with many a cheer and shout, the Ashanti gold-miners 
 — excellent fellows all, and very different from their 
 
lyo With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 warlike brethren — stepped ashore, and made off into 
 the bush. Dick and Johnnie felt quite lonely when 
 they had gone. They pushed off into the stream and 
 steamed away. 
 
 "Better leab um boat behind," said the native, sud- 
 denly, after some minutes' silence. "Suppose hab to 
 run, den boat hold um back. P'raps mean um dead." 
 
 It was an excellent idea, showing again that there 
 is wisdom to be found in a native, and that Johnnie, 
 for all his quaint looks and merry ways, was a thinker. 
 
 "We'll do so certainly," said Dick, at once adopting 
 the advice. "Look for a spot where we can hide her, 
 and which we can pick out again should we require her. 
 It must be on this bank, too, so we will keep within 
 easy distance." 
 
 It was not until an hour had passed that they hit 
 upon a suitable place. Then, at a nod from the leader, 
 the launch swung in closer to the bank, while Johnnie 
 ran to the stern and drew in the painter. He ran the 
 native craft up alongside the launch, and hopped lightly 
 into her. Then, as Dick put the propeller astern — for 
 the stream ran fairly strong here — the native pushed 
 off, and guided the boat into the shallows. There was 
 a massive tree there — a species of fern, growing to 
 the height of thirty or forty feet perhaps, and dropping 
 its abundant spreading foliage like an umbrella all 
 round till the tips trailed in the water. Johnnie pushed 
 boldly in, and Dick could see the big fronds shaking. 
 Then he edged the launch closer in till her nose dipped 
 under the leaves, and he heard her grate against the 
 side of the native craft. 
 
 "Gk)t um fast front and back," sang out the native. 
 
A Native Fleet i 7 1 
 
 "Xo move um. whateber happen. She fill witl water, 
 and not sink. Tree hold um up nicely. Yes, and no 
 one know um dere. Whole army pass, and neljer 
 guess. Golly, massa, de berry place!" 
 
 "And one to find easily." answered Dick. ''Now, 
 hop along, and let us get off. We've plenty of steam, 
 and I think we'll put her hard at it. The tales of these 
 warriors of King Koffee make me uneasy, and I'm 
 anxious to get down to the coast." 
 
 \'ery soon Johnnie appeared from amidst the leaves, 
 and they pushed off into the stream till they reached 
 the centre. And there they remained throughout the 
 day, reeling the miles off rapidly, for they had the 
 stream to help them. 
 
 ''We'll keep on without a single halt right down to 
 the sea," said Dick, as he sat on the edge of the engine- 
 well, eating a meal which the native had just cooked. 
 "We know there will be a moon, and now that the 
 river is broader we shall be able to see easily. We'll 
 chance sandbanks, and hope that none will come in our 
 path. By to-morrow morning the natives should be 
 left behind, and we should be within reach of friends. 
 Good coffee, Johnnie. You are a capital hand at other 
 thing besides making war !" 
 
 The native stoker grinned his delight as he turned to 
 face his master. 
 
 "When me so high me learn to cook," he said, with 
 a merry laugh, holding his hand out some three feet 
 from the deck. "In my country de women and de 
 children see to de food while de men smoke and sleep, 
 and get strength for de fight." 
 
 "A queer way of getting up one's muscle," laughed 
 
172 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 our hero. "Just fancy training for school sports, or a 
 gymnastic competition, in a similar manner ! One 
 would be rather soft, and hardly in the best condition." 
 
 "Dere where Johnnie learn to fight," went on the 
 stoker. "Me go out when me not yet a man, and in 
 de first battle me kill an enemy. He rush so" — he 
 clambered from the well, and demonstrated the method 
 of attack with such energy that the launch rolled — "he 
 make stroke at Johnnie's head, and miss um mark, 
 golly! by de inch. Den me answer. Me hit wid all 
 de strength wid um club, and he go whop ! He fall 
 dead on de ground. Den me take um head, and shout 
 de war cry." 
 
 He made another attempt to bring the last in reality 
 before his master, and set the forests ringing. Dick 
 clapped a hand over his mouth, and pushed him into 
 the well. 
 
 "Steady, my lad," he said. "There may be an 
 Ashanti army within hearing of that call, and then 
 what will happen? Spin your yarn if you wish, but 
 do it quietly. How's steam ?" 
 
 A little abashed, but yet glowing with the memory 
 of his victory, the native stepped to the gauge and read 
 off the pressure. Then he shovelled a heap of coal 
 from the bunker. 
 
 "Come night, and not see so well," he said, "Hab 
 plenty ready to run wid." 
 
 About three hours after that, dusk began to fall, and 
 for a little while the fugitives were compelled to lie in 
 close to the bank of the river, for it was densely dark. 
 But the time passed pleasantly enough, for Dick had 
 his pipe alight for the first time since the previous day, 
 
A Native Fleet 173 
 
 and as he smoked it, watching tlie glow of the bowl, 
 and looking across to a similar glow proceeding from 
 the clay gripped Ijetween the white teeth of the native, 
 his thoughts returned to the stockade. He went over 
 all the scenes again, his nearness to James Langdon, 
 and the luck he had had then. His successful attempt 
 to reach the stockade, and the desperate fight he had 
 had on the way. And, later, the retreat, with all its 
 numerous incidents. He was still thinking of it when 
 the moon came up in all her splendour, flooding the 
 river till it was almost as light as day. And then, for 
 the tirst time for many an hour, he looked at himself, 
 and was horrified. His hands were cut and scratched 
 in all directions, as doubtless was his face also. His 
 clothes hung in ribbons about him, while, by the stains 
 upon the breast of his coat and upon his shirt, one 
 would have thought that he had been badly hit. But 
 that he certainly was not ; and now he remembered how 
 the wretch who had first attacked him outside the 
 stockade, had fallen under his own sword — fallen 
 against the one who struck the blow. 
 
 "Time to move," he said, springing to his feet. 
 "Steady ahead. More. Let her have it." 
 
 The native grinned. He wiped his hands with a 
 piece of waste extracted from his pocket, and then 
 opened the throttle. And once he had the launch mov- 
 ing at full speed he leaned back in contentment, watch- 
 ing his master with one eye, while with the other he 
 looked at the smoke curling up from his pipe. 
 
 An hour later, as they swung rmmd a bend in the 
 river, and came into a long, straight stretch, a cry of 
 amazement escaped them. The water on the left bank 
 
174 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 was black with native craft, while the hubbub of some 
 thousands of voices came to their ears. But that was 
 as nothing to the shouts which greeted the appearance 
 of the launch when she came into the straight. There 
 was a deafening burst of shouting. Tom-toms and 
 drums were beaten in all directions, while the deep note 
 of many a native war-horn was heard. For crossing 
 the stream was one division of King Koffee's army, 
 €71 route for the Fanti country. And of this division, 
 amounting to some ten thousand men, not more than 
 a tenth were on the water, for there were insufficient 
 boats within a radius of many miles to carry more. 
 The passage was being made by detachments, and the 
 first crossing had just commenced. That there were 
 more of the warriors ashore Dick quickly learned, for 
 if there had been shouting from the men on the water, 
 the noise from the jungle was vastly more pronounced. 
 And then the firing commenced, though the launch was 
 beyond the range of the cheap. Birmingham-made guns 
 owned by the natives. Still, the loud reports issuing 
 from the bush were sufficient tO' show what was hap- 
 pening, while any doubt that there could possibly have 
 been was set at rest by the manner in which the surface 
 of the river was struck and thrashed by the bullets. 
 They splashed in all directions, bullets ricocheting and 
 screaming, slugs and buck-shot of native manufacture 
 dropping heavily into the water, while the numerous 
 pebbles which were fired sank out of sight at once. 
 
 Dick smiled grimly, once he had overcome his first 
 feelings of consternation and astonishment. He 
 stretched out from his position at the tiller and caught 
 up a rifle. Another movement and he had three of 
 
A Nati\c Fleet 175 
 
 tlic weapons at hand, f(ir there was a good supply on 
 hoard. And while he held the tiller l^etween his knees, 
 he jerked cartridges into the hreeches. As for Johnnie, 
 his niouth had opened in one vast expression of aston- 
 ishment as the natives canic into \iew. and for an 
 instant he had changed ct^lour under the dark pigment 
 of his skin. Then, glancing at his leader, and seeing 
 how he was engaged, the little fellow gripped his pipe 
 the tighter and threw himself upou his shovel. The 
 door of tlie furnace swung open with a clatter, and 
 Dick heard the grating of the shovel on the narrow 
 iron floor of the engine-well. A flash lit up the stoker's 
 figure, and Dick caught sight of a roaring fire, 
 quenched a second later with a mass of coal. Then a 
 dense volume of black smoke swept out of the low 
 funnel and went trailing overhead till it merged with 
 the clouds and the trees. He glanced at the pressure 
 gauge, and by the help of the moon saw that it stood 
 at sixty. Johnnie turned to it also and pointed. 
 
 "Hab plenty more soon, massa." he said. "Make 
 water bubble and fizz. Boiler go bur-r-r-r-r wid de 
 pressure. Chimney velly hot. Golly ! Look at um !" 
 
 "Time to think about a shot or two." answered 
 Dick, quietly. "Get a couple of rifles and some cart- 
 ridges, and load. Keep them handy to the engine. 
 Then go on stoking. By the way. have we a fender 
 aboard?" 
 
 "Big one forard. sar. Where hab him?" 
 
 "Right on the bows, rather low down. Slij^py. my 
 lad." 
 
 They had little time for chatter, and botli knew it. 
 The native crawled on his hands and knees along the 
 
176 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 deck, and swung a large rope fender over the bows, 
 securing it on the very stem of the launch. Then he 
 ran back, and the furnace door swung open again. By 
 now the steam pressure had risen to sixty-four, and the 
 needle was slowly jerking up. The funnel vomited 
 even more inky-black smoke, while flames and small 
 particles of coal flew into the air, the latter raining 
 down on the deck. Meanwhile the natives had not 
 been idle, for after the first shouts of surprise, and the 
 salvo of bullets and slugs, the whole mass of canoes 
 had set off across the river to intercept the launch. 
 The consequent confusion can be well imagined. There 
 were then screams and shouts of anger. Boats became 
 locked together, and Dick saw some of the crews strik- 
 ing at one another in their rage and in their anxiety to 
 get clear of their neighbours, and have a share in the 
 capture. 
 
 "That gives us a chance/' he said. "If they had 
 started from the outside line there would have been no 
 doubt about the issue. Now it's touch and go. They 
 may be lined across our way, or they may not. De- 
 pends on the crews. As for their firing, I don't care a 
 rap alx)ut it. Those guns don't carry overfar, and 
 from what I saw at the stockade I should say that at a 
 little more than a hundred yards one would only expe- 
 rience a heavy blow. At fifty the slugs would pene- 
 trate. Hullo ! I don't like those beggars." 
 
 As he spoke there was greater commotion amidst the 
 canoes, all of which were now under weigh, while those 
 on the outside, the river side of the fleet, had broken 
 clear of their comrades and were pushing for the centre 
 of the stream. This, however, was not what attracted 
 
A Native Fleet 177 
 
 Dick's attention, and drew the remark from him. Jt 
 was the sight of two native craft of larger size which 
 suddenly pushed from the shadow of the bank. They 
 were crammed to overtlowing, and carried big crews, 
 who knelt in a line along each side. In the centre 
 stood the warriors, shouting and gesticulating, and 
 fighting their way through the mob. Small considera- 
 tion did they give to those who were in their way. 
 Dick saw the warriors strike at their comrades with the 
 butts of their firelocks, and watched as more than one 
 of the smaller craft was overturned. Then he sat 
 down and took up a rifle. 
 
 "A shot might help." he said quietly. "How's 
 steam?" 
 
 Johnnie pointed to the indicator and looked proud. 
 
 "Hab plenty," he said. "Stoke um more and perhaps 
 um bust. Plenty steam in de biler." 
 
 "Then get your rifle, and aim at the rowers in the 
 first of those two boats. Don't leave her alone. Keep 
 on all the while unless you have to stoke again." 
 
 "Not want to. Hab plenty steam and big fire." 
 answered Johnnie, with a satisfied nod. "Not hab any 
 more coal till half-hour. By den p'raps not hab 
 steamer." 
 
 "Perhaps." answered Dick, with a smile. "We're 
 going to see to that. Out with your rifle." 
 
 Still gripping the tiller between his knees, while he 
 sat on the edge of the well, he took a long and careful 
 aim at the first of the paddlers, the one who set the 
 stroke to the boat, and pressed the trigger when the 
 sights were on him. Instantly there was a howl of 
 rage, and the man dropped back on to the rower behind 
 
178 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 him, while the whole lot came to a halt. But it was 
 only for a quarter of a minute. One of the warriors 
 who stood close by lifted the body and hove it over- 
 board without ceremony. Then he seized the paddle 
 and thrust it into the water. Crack! Dick's rifle broke 
 the stillness which had followed the shout, and the man 
 who had just knelt crumpled into a mass, the same dis- 
 order following. 
 
 "Fi^'e hundred yards I make it," said our hero quiet- 
 ly. "Give them a full sight, Johnnie, and aim for the 
 centre of the body. Ah ! A good one. I think you 
 hit the side of the boat first, and then the man. They 
 don't waste time aboard those craft, and human life 
 does not seem to be over-valuable." 
 
 By now the launch and the fleet had sensibly de- 
 creased the intervening distance, the latter making di- 
 rectly across the river Pra, while the former raced 
 down the centre of the river. It had become more 
 than ever a question of time, and the thought made 
 Dick redouble his efforts. And thanks to his shooting, 
 the progress of the two war boats was greatly delayed, 
 his bullet singling out the leading paddler every time 
 the place was filled, till there was a panic in that part 
 of the vessel. Then suddenly an unexpected thing 
 happened. The two aboard the launch had taken little 
 notice of the firing which still went on from the bank 
 and from a number of the canoes, and which was of 
 greater danger to the enemy than to them, for the 
 range of the enemy's firearms was inconsiderable. 
 Now, however, a shot attracted their attention. There 
 was a louder report than usual, and a bullet of large 
 size sped from the fleet, and striking the funnel, bored 
 
A Native Fleet i 79 
 
 clean through it, the puncture l)eing plainly di^cernihle 
 by the flames and smoke which instantly emerged. 
 Dick started forward, till he was stretched across the 
 after-well, the tip of the tiller in his hand, and almost 
 at once there was a second shot, followed by a heavy 
 thud behind him. and finally by a splash out in the 
 river. He turned to find the tiller loose in his hand, 
 splintered by the missile, the fracture of the shaft hav- 
 ing taken place an inch or two in front of the slot cut 
 for it in the rudder. The steering gear was cut adrift, 
 and as he looked at the shaft in his hand the launch 
 went ofif her course. She shot to the right, away from 
 the enemy, causing a scream of rage to rise from a 
 thousand throats. Then, as suddenly, she swerved to 
 the other side, till those aboard her were almost rolled 
 into the water. She seemed to see the enemy before 
 her, for she took the bit in her teeth, and. with her 
 propeller thrashing the water behind her, went directly 
 towards them, a bow wave splashing up on either hand. 
 And then the tone of the Ashantis changed. Whatever 
 they were, they were men of courage, and not to be 
 frightened by a monster of this sort speeding down 
 upon them. They had, for the most part, never seen 
 a launch before, and those who had. had probably never 
 seen one in full flight. Yet they did not flinch. They 
 stood in their boats, and such a shout of triumph went 
 up that the woods rang and rang a.gain. Then their 
 guns opened with a vengeance, and a perfect storm of 
 missiles hurtled towards the launch. They did not 
 stop her. She did not seem to notice the bullets splash- 
 ing on either hand and tumbling on her deck. The 
 launch had got out of hand, and as if she were tired of 
 
i8o With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 life and roused to desperation by the pressure of steam 
 which she carried, she went on her mad course, rushing 
 down to doom and destruction. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 Running the Gauntlet 
 
 "That stoking bar, Johnnie! Quick! For your 
 life!" • 
 
 Dick could not wait to explain, for the situation 
 was one which demanded instant action. When he 
 had recovered from his amazement at the result of the 
 unlucky shot from the forest, and had seen that the 
 tiller was broken, he had no time to reflect that but for 
 the movement which he had made a moment before he 
 would have been killed by the very bullet which had 
 wrought the mischief. Action, instant and effectual, 
 was required, and his eye had at once sought for a 
 substitute. Suddenly he remembered the iron bar used 
 for stoking the fire, and as he shouted for it he pre- 
 pared to place it in position. With a bound he was 
 on the deck right aft. and kicking the butt of the frac- 
 tured shaft from behind, shut it out of its socket. Then 
 he gripped the rudder post and twisted it with all his 
 strength, contriving to head the launch for the centre 
 of the stream. Two or three seconds later the native 
 was beside him, and as Dick held the post the bar was 
 pushed into the socket. 
 
I 82 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "Hab um now ! Get over oder side plenty quick. 
 Put um over, massa." 
 
 Dick did so. with a heave which again caused the 
 launch to roll till water spurted through her scuppers, 
 while the two aboard crouched on the deck and held on 
 for their lives. Then he set her on a new course, turn- 
 ing her head diagonally across the stream. 
 
 "Get to the rifle," he said sharply. ''And first lay 
 mine here so that I can grip them. That's right. 
 Crouch in your engine well so as to avoid the bullets. 
 Do you hear ? Go !" 
 
 Johnnie's eyes had asked a question. He had as 
 good as said to his master when the caution to sit in 
 the engine well had been given, "And what massa do? 
 He not crouch. Plenty ob cover for Johnnie, but what 
 about massa?" But Dick brushed aside his question 
 with one word, and proceeded to fix the bar between 
 his knees, as he had done with the wooden tiller, 
 
 "Let 'em shoot at it again," he said, "and I guess 
 the bullet won't do much harm. In any case it was a 
 fluke, and not a bad attempt to pot me. Hah ! That 
 got one fellow. I shall have to play with these 
 men." 
 
 As he ran the launch across towards the far bank, 
 slanting her down stream all the while, he had seen 
 that the fleet of canoes was now spread out across the 
 river, and though there were fewer of their boats on 
 the far side, and a narrow opening still remained there, 
 yet the path to the sea was barred. He therefore 
 steered for the far side. But a plan to get free was 
 forming in his brain, and he watched for a chance to 
 carry it out, his eye riveted on the two war canoes. 
 
Running the Gauntlet 183 
 
 ''It's those fellows I want t<^ (lo(lo;c," he said. "I 
 wonder how we sliould fare if we ran into one of 
 them." 
 
 He was thinking of charging 04ie, and measured the 
 size of the stout launch against that of each one of the 
 nati\e craft. 
 
 "We're about the same length." he said, "and as to 
 weight it's a toss-up. She's crammed with men. and 
 we've engines and a boiler aboard. There's nothing 
 in it. All depends on how we hit her. All right!" 
 
 There was something ominous in those last two 
 words. They meant much, and the quiet way in which 
 the helmsman of the launch looked round, the set ex- 
 pression of his face, showed that he meant to choose 
 well and make the most of his opportunities. 
 
 "We've steam to drive us, and plenty of it," he 
 thought. "That gives us an advantage." 
 
 Once more he put up his rifle, and for three or four 
 minutes peppered the enemy. But on this occasion 
 he directed his shots to the boats at the far side of the 
 river, now very close at hand. 
 
 On the part of the enemy there had been a wild 
 endeavour to close in as the launch, with her tiller shot 
 away, ran down towards the near bank, and this rush 
 had resulted in some of the craft being upset. Then, 
 as Dick fitted the iron bar and steered away again, a 
 still madder rush was made for the far side. And in 
 this the two war canoes were hardly as successful as 
 they had been. They were too much hampered by 
 their comrades, and so it happened that they were sep- 
 arated widely from one another, one only being well 
 on its way across the stream. The second had barely 
 
184 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 reached the middle, and as he fired Dick turned his eye 
 to it every now and again. 
 
 "We shall have our chance," he thought. "She's 
 got away, and as she paddles faster than the smaller 
 fry, she's leaving an opening behind her. I'll give her 
 a minute more, and then " 
 
 "See that boat?" he called out to Johnnie. "Well, 
 watch. I shall swing round in a few seconds and 
 steer in behind her. Let her crew know that you have 
 a rifle. Keep at it without ceasing, even after we've 
 passed, for I have to work the tiller. Ready? Over 
 she goes !" 
 
 He might have been running his launch in a regatta 
 race, so calm was he. There was a smile on his face, 
 for Dick had long got over the sensation of fear which 
 the sight of the enemy had at first caused him. The 
 difficulty with the tiller had roused him, and now, for 
 the life of him, he could only look upon the whole ad- 
 venture as a race, a race, it is true, which meant life or 
 death for him, but one nevertheless which stirred his 
 blood and brought all the sporting instincts of the 
 Englishman within him to the surface. 
 
 "A close thing. Any one's game!" he said, as he 
 swung the tiller over, and turned the launch on her 
 heel, spinning her round till the water on either side 
 was white with foam. "Now for it!" 
 
 The little vessel had obeyed the movement of her 
 new tiller with remarkable celerity. She might have 
 been a torpedo lx»at by the way in which she behaved. 
 She felt the pull of her rudder, and as if she were a liv- 
 ing thing she spun round in a sharp curve, the weight 
 of her engines and deck hamper causing her to roll 
 
Running tlic Gauntlet 185 
 
 henvily. 'I'hen she ri^^hted as she ran, and her nose 
 soii.srlit for the narrow opening left in the very centre 
 of the fleet. It was a most exciting moment. The 
 air trembled with shouting, while if there had been a 
 hail of bullets before, there was a torrent now, aimed 
 with all the carelessness of the native, some overhead, 
 some astern, and some even into the middle of com- 
 rades. And to these one rifle responded — that of the 
 native stoker. He lay in the engine well, his head 
 nicely clear, and his snider spat out a stinging rain 
 which caused many an enemy to fall in his boat, or 
 overbalance and slip into the river. But though he 
 jerked the cartridges from the breech as rapidly as 
 possible, he could make little impression on the crew of 
 the war vessel. At the first movement of the launch 
 there had been a shout, and as if by magic each one of 
 the paddlers got to his feet and changing round knelt 
 again. Then the paddles dipped and the big craft 
 came surging back. 
 
 "She'll be across our track !" sang out Dick. "Get 
 below, Johnnie. Keep down! look out for those who 
 manage to get aboard the launch." 
 
 At once the native slipped completely into his engine 
 well, where he lay. rifle in hand. As for our hero he 
 could not afford to take cover just yet, for he had to 
 direct the course of the launch. And magnificently he 
 stuck to his post. A slug struck him on the point of 
 the knee as he sat, and caused him anguish. A second, 
 fired at the same close range, thudded against his ribs 
 and dropped to the deck, while another from the same 
 discharge carried away his hat. But he stuck grimly 
 to the tiller. His eye was glued on the war vessel, 
 
1 86 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 and he watched her Hke a cat. She was just beginning 
 to cross his track, but the angle at which she moved 
 would bring the two boats almost alongside one an- 
 other, and then 
 
 "They would hang on and be aboard before we could 
 look round. No, thank you. We'll try some other 
 plan." 
 
 The muscles in his steering arm were like steel 
 bands. There was a look of determination on his face. 
 He moved the arm with a sudden jerk, and sent the 
 launch over when she was within thirty feet of the 
 enemy. A second later he was bearing down upon 
 her broadside. Then, indeed, there were shouts. The 
 natives saw their danger and paddled furiously in the 
 vain endeavour to alter their position. But they had 
 no chance, for the steersman aboard the launch, con- 
 scious of the superiority which steam gave him, coun- 
 tered every move instantly. It was a matter of seconds. 
 He was within five feet of them, going full speed. The 
 natives saw now that they had no chance of coming 
 alongside, and Dick watched them drop their rifles, 
 draw their swords and crush to the centre of the boat. 
 He moved the tiller again, ever so little, and bore right 
 down upon the huddling group. Then he dived into 
 his well and sat on the boards, one hand still gripping 
 the tiller, while the fingers of the other sought for his 
 revolver. 
 
 Crash ! The launch shuddered, and stopped on her 
 way. But she had weight behind her, and her frame 
 was of sound construction. Also she was running at 
 full pace, and her propeller never ceased to grip the 
 water. She moved again, rose at the bows for a sec- 
 
Running tlic Gauntlet 187 
 
 ond or so. and then subsided attain. t(3 the accompani- 
 ment of shouts and the sounds of sphntering \vf3od. 
 Dick heard tlie scraping as the native boat passed be- 
 neatli the keel, and there was a gentle thud as the pro- 
 peller blade struck a portion oi the wreck. 
 
 "Right over her! \\'hat luck!"' 
 
 That was all he could say. for other matters engaged 
 his attention. Of the huddled group in the centre of 
 the native boat half a dozen had managed to gain the 
 launch, while their comrades were already far l^ehind 
 struggling in the water. And these men who had been 
 able to reach her had not all contrived to get aboard. 
 Two reached the deck of the steam craft at once, while 
 the remainder clung to her side, and were now clamber- 
 ing up, no easy task considering the speed of the ves- 
 sel. A rifle cracked and one of the men atoard fell 
 on his face. Then Dick saw Johnnie lift his weapon 
 again and aim. He pressed the trigger as the man 
 leaped to one side. As he opened the breech and 
 stretched out for another cartridge, the native ran at 
 him waving his short sword above his head. Dick's 
 arm went up from the well, he rested the muzzle of his 
 weapon on the edge, and took a rapid aim. A moment 
 later the Ashanti fell headlong across the boiler, while 
 his sword clattered on the iron floor of the miniature 
 stokehold. 
 
 "Soon settle um hash !" shouted Johnnie, as he 
 leaped to the deck and ran forward, armed with 
 his shovel. "Hah ! off yo's go. To de riber wid 
 you." 
 
 He leaned over the side, and one by one he beat the 
 Ashantis into the water. Then he returned to his 
 
I 88 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 engine, and our hero heard the furnace door open once 
 more. 
 
 "Steady," he called out with a laugh, which showed 
 the relief he felt. "Go easy, my lad, for we are out 
 of the wood, and must husband coal. How's the 
 store?" 
 
 "Plenty black stone, sar. Steam from here to Cape 
 Coast Castle, I tink. Golly! Um hot!" 
 
 He groped in the pocket of his greasy jacket and 
 produced a piece of waste with which he mopped his 
 face. Then he turned his attention to the enemy and 
 put up his rifle. Dick followed suit, and together the 
 shots rang out. 
 
 "That's where the big gun is," said Dick, as he fired 
 at the second of the two large boats, from which had 
 come the bellow of the large piece which had accounted 
 for the fracture of the tiller. "That fellow has got 
 hold of an elephant gim, I think, and he is making good 
 shooting. Whereabouts is he?" 
 
 "You w-atch, Massa Dick. You see dat man near 
 far end of boat? Dat de feller. You watch um while 
 me pot. See um go splash into de water." 
 
 There was a malicious gleam in Johnnie's eye, for a 
 second or so before the hopes of escape which filled 
 the minds of the fugitives had been suddenly upset by 
 the boom of the heavy piece owned by the enemy, and 
 by the hum of a bullet along the deck of the launch. 
 There was a steady arm holding the gun, and had they 
 but known it this native was one of King Koffee's chief 
 marksmen, an old hunter from the interior, who held 
 a high place in the army mainly because of his prowess 
 with the rifle in question. And the boat in which he 
 
Running the Gauntlet 189 
 
 sat, or knelt, was not so far behind that he was out of 
 range, or even nearly so. Indeed, barely a minute 
 had passed since the launch had overmn the first of 
 the big war boats, and had sent her to the bottom. It 
 was only a few seconds since Johnnie had plied his 
 shovel to such good effect, and the enemy were still 
 at close quarters. Xor were they minded to permit 
 these audacious strangers to escape so easily. A yell, 
 a discordant shriek of indignation had gone up as the 
 launch dashed into and splintered the native craft, 
 and that had been followed by a babel of shouts, by 
 the clash of many a war drum, and the blowing of 
 horns, while instantly the whole fleet had swung round 
 and had followed, their guns pouring slugs after the 
 launch. Dick could see them clearly, the paddlers ply- 
 ing their blades with terrific energy, and the fight- 
 ing men standing or kneeling, ramming charges 
 into their muzzle-loaders in desperate haste. Then 
 had come that boom followed by the hum of the 
 big bullet. 
 
 "Dat de man," said Johnnie, as he held his rifle to 
 his shoulder. "He just 'bout to stand and fire um gun. 
 See um drop de villain." 
 
 At once our hero's rifle went to his shoulder, and, 
 having waited to hear the snap of his comrade's, and 
 note that he had failed to hit the mark, he pressed his 
 trigger gently, holding his weapon as rigidly as the 
 trembling of the launch would allow. Instantly there 
 was an answering report from the native boat, and he 
 felt tlie breath of the shot as it raged past his cheek 
 and flew on ahead. Then the man Avho had fired stag- 
 gered, drew himself up and, holding his huge weapon 
 
190 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 above his head, toppled and fell like a stone into the 
 river. 
 
 "Got um ! By gum ! but dat a fine shot ! Johnnie's 
 no good. Bad. Velly bad. Hear um shout. No 
 more pills ob dat size come after us." 
 
 "It was a lucky shot and may save our lives. The 
 beggar meant potting us, and there is no- doubt that he 
 was a fine shot, and knew his weapon. If one of his 
 bullets had hit either of us I imagine that we should 
 have been killed instantly. It must have been like a 
 young cannon firing a very big charge, for did you see 
 how the recoil shook him?" 
 
 The stoker nodded emphatically. "Not like shoot 
 such gun often," he said. "Make shoulder sore. But 
 what massa do now ? Stop here and fire, sO' as make 
 dem sorry dey get in de way ?" 
 
 "No, thank you," was the dry answer. "I have seen 
 enough of these Ashantis to last me for a long time. 
 A more fierce and cruel lot of beggars I never saw 
 before, and you don't catch me waiting to fight with 
 an army. We might burst a steam-pipe or break a 
 connecting-rod and then where should we be? Look 
 at that beggar lying over the boiler, and think whether 
 you would like to become a prisoner." 
 
 "No, tanks, massa," grinned Johnnie, casting his eye 
 at the native. "But s'pose we move 'um. Him berry 
 fine feller, but though him dead him not like de heat. 
 Golly! Make 'um hop to put de finger dere, on de 
 biler. Him cook nicely if we leab um." 
 
 Things had occurred so rapidly that neither had 
 given a thought to this matter before, but now that 
 they had killed the most dangerous of their enemies, 
 
Running the Gauntlet 191 
 
 and the battle with the army of Ashanti had developed 
 into a chase between a steam launch, with ample power, 
 and a fleet of unwieldy boats, they had time to look 
 about them, and to observe their own condition. As 
 the stoker had said, the native who had fallen to Dick's 
 revolver-shot lay across the boiler, and it was more 
 than hot there, for out in this tropical country there 
 was no great need for lagging (a covering of asbestos 
 and wood, often held in position by sheet iron, and com- 
 monlv applied to boilers in this country to help to re- 
 tain their heat, and so make steaming easier), and 
 this launch boiler was exposed to the air and weather. 
 In consequence, the unhappy wretch who had fallen 
 was literally cooking, and Dick was thankful when his 
 dusky companion caught the body by one arm, and 
 dragging it to the side hove it overboard. Johnnie 
 had little sentiment. An enemy was an enemy, whether 
 dead or alive, and he made no secret of his delight that 
 here was another native who had fallen to their 
 weapons. 
 
 "Good-bye yo," he shouted, as the body splashed 
 into the river and sank from sight. "Yo foolish man 
 come aboard dis vessel. Not hab invite to do so, and 
 not wanted, not 't all. So jest yo go' 'way 'gain. Yo 
 hab self to tank for all dis trouble." 
 
 He turned to Dick with a laugh, which was not les- 
 sened when he saw^ the serious expression on his mas- 
 ter's face. For Dick had his own ideas as to how an 
 enemy should be treated, whether dead or alive, and 
 had tlie task been his he would have endeavoured to do 
 the work decorously. But he had to admit to himself 
 that one of these Ashantis, when dead, was a repulsive- 
 
192 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 looking object, and that Johnnie was probably jus- 
 tified. 
 
 "What does he care?" he asked himself. "He has, 
 no doubt, still a large share of his savage nature left, 
 and he knows that these men would cut him to pieces 
 when alive if they could capture him. So he treats 
 them, dead or alive, with the same ferocity. Well, 
 we've cleared decks, and I'm not sorry. As for those 
 beggars behind, they might just as w^ell stop and save 
 their powder; they cannot hurt us more." 
 
 There was little doubt on this point, for since the 
 native wnth the big elephant gun had toppled over- 
 board, hardly a shot had reached the launch, though 
 showers of slugs cut up the water in the rear. It was 
 the turn of those aboard the launch to smile and enjoy 
 the situation. As they ran down the stream, with the 
 throttle now half closed, for steam might be wanted 
 for another emergency, they could look back at the fast- 
 receding fleet of boats and take full stock of them. 
 Also they could watch the dusky figures bounding 
 through the bush, some still abreast of the launch or 
 even farther down the stream. They could jeer at the 
 frantic shout.^, could wave back jubilantly to the angry 
 signals of the enemy, and they could afford to mock at 
 the men who tore through the jungle, firing aimlessly 
 into the w^ater. 
 
 "Good as firework !" laughed the light-hearted John- 
 nie. "Moon not so bright now, me tink, and de gun 
 go pop ! pop ! wid a splosh of fire. Fine sight, massa ! 
 Make de heart young and gay." 
 
 "Because we have something to be thankful for. 
 But don't you make any mistake about the action, my 
 
Running the Gauntlet 193 
 
 lad ; it was a close thing, a precious close piece of busi- 
 ness, and if it hadn't been for that gap, why, where 
 should we be? That reminds me. How are we 
 for'ard? What's the damage?" 
 
 Tiie native leaped from his well and went scrambling 
 along the deck, the movement giving cause for an in- 
 creased outburst of shouting and beating of the drums; 
 for the enemy still watched the retreating launch like 
 cats, hoping against hope that she would stop, that 
 their fetish, to which they sacrificed victims innumera- 
 ble during the year, would step in in time to arrest the 
 flight and hand over the white man. Presently Johnnie 
 came back with a piece of wood in his hand. 
 
 "All dat remain," he said, with a laugh. "De bow 
 hit right into boat, and brake um. Dis stick to de 
 fender. Xoding hurt. Launch same as before, only 
 bullet mark eberywhere, I 'spect." 
 
 "Then we'll look to ourselves. What damages, 
 Johnnie?" 
 
 "Golly ! I forget um. Tink soon be killed by dem 
 debils and den no matter. But feel um now. Look 
 dar! Johnnie kill dat man if he catch um ! What he 
 want to fire so to spoil de beauty? Johnnie's wife not 
 like dat 't all !" 
 
 Here was a genuine grievance, and the native made 
 the most of it as he showed Dick his wound. For a 
 slug had struck him on the cheek, just below the orbit, 
 and had lacerated the flesh, so that there was every 
 prospect of much scarring; while the bleeding, as in 
 all face wounds, had been excessive, and his coat and 
 breast were covered with blood. 
 
 "An honourable wound," said Dick, with a chuckle, 
 
194 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 for this little native amused him vastly, and considermg 
 his want of good looks, it was rather amazing to hear 
 him talking of lost beauty. "Honourable scars, John- 
 nie. You will be able to point to that wound and say 
 to your wife and friends, 'Johnnie get that when he 
 fight whole Ashanti army. Yes, he hab one man only 
 wid him. He fight army alone and kill plenty. Den 
 he wave de hand and leab.' How's that, Johnnie?" 
 
 They sat opposite one another now, the enemy 
 almost forgotten, and they laughed till Dick had to 
 hold his sides. For the expression on the stoker's face 
 as Dick took note of his grievance was ludicrous. He 
 looked surprised and grieved at first, and then utterly 
 indignant. Then, as our hero proceeded with the tale, 
 he saw his point, and commenced to smile. 
 
 "Yo make um ache, massa," he cried. "Yes, John- 
 nie say all dat. He forget. Dis wound show him to 
 be brave man. He fight whole army, alone. He kill 
 heap. He glad dat man hit um here. Dat man friend 
 of him for life !" 
 
 It was natural that the two should make the most 
 of the matter and enjoy it to their heart's content, for 
 the reader must recollect that a few minutes before 
 death stared them in the face, that for a quarter of an 
 hour the odds against their escape had been desperate, 
 and that during all that time they had been working 
 with hand and brain and fighting at full pressure. And 
 as if the danger had been a stone hung about their 
 necks by a cord, it had dropped now that the cord was 
 cut. They had burst their way through the band 
 swung across the river, and they had killed the most 
 dangerous of their enemies. The relief was immense^ 
 
Running the Gauntlet 195 
 
 and they showed it by giddy laughter, by gripping 
 hands, and by shouting and gesticulating. 
 
 "You stuck to me like a good 'un," said Dick, in 
 grateful tones. "Had you funked we should have 
 been taken. I will rep<irt to Mr. Pepson." 
 
 "And massa save Johnnie. Look at man me jest 
 throw to de tishes. He kill me sure as egg if massa 
 not fire. Fine shot. Big sportman, massa ; and John- 
 nie say so to all de town when him back. But what 
 part you hit? Look! Blood here and dere, and dere. 
 Eberywhere !" 
 
 He held up his hands in consternation, for our hero 
 was indeed in a sorry plight. He had been little better 
 than a scarecrow after his dash through the bush, and 
 his escape from the stockade, and the few hours aboard 
 the launch had not improved matters. He was as 
 black as a sweep, for the soot from the funnel had 
 played upon him as the launch bounded forward, while 
 the perspiration had helped it to adhere. Then he had 
 been struck in no fewer than six places by the slugs 
 of the enemy, and in each case his tattered clothes told 
 the tale. Not that the bleeding had been severe. On 
 the contrary, none of the slugs had penetrated far, and 
 in three of the wounds there was merely a large red 
 bruise, now getting more discoloured. The skin had 
 not been broken, and where there had been penetration 
 it had been so slight that the missiles had fallen out into 
 his clothing. Still one cannot stop a slug without 
 feeling the effect, and Dick felt as if he had been play- 
 ing a very hard and rough game of football. He 
 limped owing to the wound on his knee. When he 
 breathed he suffered considerable pain, for he had had 
 
196 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 a hard rap over the ribs, while his shoulders were so 
 stiff from a wound just below the neck that he might 
 well have fallen in the scrum and had half a dozen 
 lusty fellows tumbling on him. 
 
 "All's well that ends well," he cried cheerily. "And 
 that reminds me that I'm hungry again. I have come 
 to the conclusion that fighting is hungry work. What 
 stores are there, my lad ?" 
 
 "Find plenty, sar. Massa say tree week ago, 'Yo 
 go down to launch and put dis and dat aboard. Den 
 s'pose nigger come 'long, all right for us. Get to 
 launch and steam 'way. Hab grub to fill de tumock.' 
 Johnnie plenty hungry, too." 
 
 "Then off you go and lay a spread. I'm ravenous." 
 
 Thanks to the fact that the engine well and the one 
 aft from which the steersman guided the launch were 
 close together, the two comrades, for they were that 
 on this occasion if on no other, were able to see to the 
 management of the launch and enjoy a meal at the 
 same time. The attack they made upon the food which 
 Johnnie brought from the cabin was almost as fierce 
 as that which James Langdon had made upon the 
 stockade. They washed the repast down with good 
 hot coffee, which Johnnie made at the furnace door, 
 drawing water from the river. Then they lounged in 
 the easiest position and smoked, the stoker his short 
 clay, which one so often sees gripped between the shin- 
 ing teeth of negro stokers, and Dick his briar, at peace 
 for the time being with all the world, content with the 
 good fortune which had befallen him. 
 
 "I've a good report to hand in," Dick said to himself, 
 as he reflected. "The mine has been disturbed, but 
 
Running the Gauntlet 197 
 
 that was not my fault, and from what I have heard 
 and seen since, I fancy those at the coast will not be 
 surprised at the news. I rather expect that they will 
 hardly hope to see me again, for these Ashantis seem to 
 have gone out to war rather suddenly some little time 
 ago. But the mines are good for the future, the wages 
 are paid, and the men will return when the time comes, 
 and in addition I have a valuable cargo of gold dust 
 and nuggets. Good! The gains are gold dust, and 
 one steam launch saved. The losses are a stockade 
 and two native boats, one destroyed and sunk up the 
 creek to keep the Ashantis from using her, and the 
 other hidden, useless to us for the time being." 
 
 It was pleasant to think of his success, and he passed 
 the hours till dawn came, wondering what would hap- 
 pen at his meeting with his employers. And as the 
 moon waned the dawn spread over the sky, at first a 
 mere rose pink blush, the promise of a fine day. Then 
 the sun got up and peeped at the wanderers out of the 
 river mist, till it looked like another moon. Three 
 hours later the increasing width of the river warned 
 them that they were now approaching the mouth, and 
 presently they were amidst the sandbanks and up- 
 heavals of mud which form its delta. Dick still clasped 
 the iron make-shift tiller in his hand, and looked wear- 
 ily for the central passage, while Johnnie now and 
 again stoked his furnace and looked mechanically to 
 the indicator and the water-gauge. For they were 
 both utterly done up and weary. They had been awake, 
 and active for many hours, and the flight and the fight 
 with the natives had helped to exhaust them. It was 
 therefore with little show of excitement that Dick 
 
198 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 nodded ahead and pointed to a ship lying off the mouth 
 of the river. 
 
 "British war vessel," he said sleepily. "What's she 
 doing here?" 
 
 "Tink she make signal to us, sar," said Johnnie after 
 some minutes. "She wave de flag and send dem aloft." 
 
 "And there goes a gun. Looks as though she wanted 
 to speak us. If she'd give us a bed, where we could 
 rest without caring about the launch and our store of 
 gold, I'd be thankful. I'd be asleep in a jiffy if it 
 weren't for the thought that I've a big store aboard, 
 and that it might be stolen. Hullo ! It must be a 
 signal for us." 
 
 They were still some little distance from the war 
 vessel, which lay to, at anchor off the coast, rolling 
 with the swell. And as there was no one else alx)ut 
 and no other vessel, it seemed more than probable that 
 the flags were meant for the man in command of the 
 launch. But how was Dick to tell when he knew noth- 
 ing of the signalling code? However, his doubts were 
 soon set at rest, for a figure in white suddenly leaped 
 on to the rail of the vessel, and held a big speaking 
 trumpet to his lips. 
 
 "Launch ahoy ! Launch ahoy !" 
 
 Dick waved his grimy hand. 
 
 "Come alongside at once. The Commodore wants 
 to see you. Where are you from ? Have you seen any 
 of the enemy?" 
 
 "Enemy ! Then they did know of the trouble at the 
 coast. Perhaps they had already had a brush with the 
 Ashantis." 
 
 Dick stood up in the well and waved again. Then 
 
illKV -iM.lll A liKIIISII WAK-VKSSEL 
 
Running the Gauntlet 199 
 
 he steered the launch towards the g-angway, while 
 Johnnie, awakening- to the fact that he was about to 
 run alongside a nian-o'-war, with all its sparkle and 
 polish, managed for a few seconds to siunnion suffi- 
 cient energy to look to his engine. He rubbed with 
 energy at the metal work till the launch was almost 
 alongside. 
 
 "Stand ready." cried Dick, sleepily. "Hook on. 
 Steady. Back her. Stop her!'' 
 
 They were hanging to the hroad gangway of the war 
 vessel, while a sea of faces looked down upon them. 
 A British tar, bearded and full of strength, stood in 
 his white ducks at the foot of the ladder, his bare feet 
 splashed in the water, while he stared at the strangers 
 in amazement. Up above Dick caught a fleeting glance 
 of a sentry, all in white, marching to and fro under the 
 awning, and looking as though he would have given 
 much for the privilege of leaving his beat for one 
 glance over the side. Then his eye focussed itself 
 sleepily on two officers leaning over the rail, both with 
 medal ribbons upon their white coats, while one car- 
 ried his speaking trumpet. 
 
 "Where from?" he asked politely. "We've recently 
 had a brush with the natives. Can you give us news?" 
 
 "They've been in the thick of it," suddenly exclaimed 
 the other. "Look at the young fellow. He's covered 
 with blood, and the boat's cut to pieces ; the sides are in 
 ribbons. Why, it must be young Stapleton, al>3ut 
 whose safety there has been such a commotion." 
 
 "And the fellow's done, done altogether," said the 
 other. "Who are you, sir?" 
 
 "Dick Stapleton, sir. Just got through from up 
 
2 00 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 country. We met a whole army, about to cross the 
 Prahsu. We got through with some difficulty, as they 
 were already alioat. We're dead beat, sir, but I can't 
 sleep till my store of gold is looked to. It's worth 
 something. Can you help ?" 
 
 Dick was weary and done up. He had realized that 
 long ago, but the need for effort had kept both pluckily 
 at their posts. Now, however, with the all-protecting 
 arm of the British Navy to watch over them, the desire 
 for sleep was irresistible. Their eyes were more than 
 half closed. And they winked suspiciously when they 
 attempted to look at any one object for long. 
 
 "Sergeant of the guard ! Put a couple of men 
 aboard at once," came the order. "Mr. Hilden, oblige 
 by going down to the launch and making an inventory. 
 Glad to see you, Mr. Stapleton. We'll talk later. 
 Meanwhile come aboard and leave the gold. It shall 
 be well taken care of. Help him up, my man, and 
 bring him along under the awnings." 
 
 A friendly and firm arm helped Dick from the 
 launch, while another tar took Johnnie in charge. Our 
 hero was almost carried to the deck above and was 
 straightway popped into a hammock. Then some one 
 held a glass to his lips. He drank, and at once fell 
 asleep. He had earned a rest and determined to 
 enjoy it. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 In Home Waters 
 
 " 'Ello ! Awake, me 'earty ! Blow me, but you've 
 jest slept the clock right round! What time o' day is 
 it? Nine o'clock, or thereabouts. 'Taint no use a 
 givin' it to yer in bells, 'cos you ain't no sailor. You've 
 slept the clock round, Air. Stapleton, and you've laid 
 there since yesterday mornin', a-sleepin' like a infant. 
 'Twasn't no use a-tryin' to stir yer up, though the 
 skipper — the Commodore that is — did 'ave a try. 'E's 
 jest jumpin' to get yer news about these darkies. But 
 yer wouldn't stir. Yer jest kind er growl, and then 
 yer was off agin. Swop me, but yer must 'ave been 
 tired !" 
 
 ''I was — dead beat," agreed Dick, looking out from 
 the hammock, and noticing that he was aboard the war 
 vessel, and still lying under an awning. Indeed, at 
 first he could recollect nothing, not even the fight with 
 the Ashantis, to such a point had exhaustion carried 
 him. And now. when he stirred and opened his eyes, 
 it was to see a burly sailor, a British Jack tar, staring 
 at him with a huge smile on his good-humoured face. 
 
 "Thet's jest wiiat the skipper says. He sees it 
 
2 02 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 ain't no use a botherin' yer, and so 'e jest leaves yer 
 to jt. 'Put a nurse on him,' he calls out to the chief. 
 'See as 'e's taken care of.' And so 'ere I am, actin' 
 kind of nurse. 'Ow do yer feel, Mr. Stapleton, sir?" 
 
 "Hungry! My word, I am hungry. You say I've 
 slept the clock round. Then there's no wonder that I 
 want something. How's the launch?" 
 
 "Safe and sound, sir, and the gold, too. Swop me, 
 but where did it all come from? You must 'ave been 
 busy to dig all that. But you're 'ungry. I'll send 
 down to the gimroom. Officers is 'aving their break- 
 fast, and there'll be a peck for you." 
 
 He was an amusing fellow, this rough salt, and a 
 capital nurse he had made. He went to the rail of the 
 upper deck, and sang out to the sergeant of the guard, 
 a marine, whose man paced the beat below. 
 
 "Mr. Stapleton's compliments," he called out. "He's 
 awake and feels mighty hungry." 
 
 Dick heard the sergeant turn away, and then crawled 
 from his hammock. Only then did he look at his 
 clothing and his hands, and he was horrified, for he 
 was still the grimy object he had been when, twenty- 
 four hours before, he had come aboard the vessel. He 
 was stiff and sore all over. He limped to the rails, 
 and looked down on to the lower deck. Scores of 
 marines and sailors were tumbling up, chattering and 
 calling to one another, and amongst them was Johnnie, 
 as lively as a sand-boy, and quite at home with all the 
 crew. Indeed, he was in a small way a hero, and had 
 made the most of his wakeful hours, yarning to the 
 tars. Dick nodded down to him, and returned the 
 salutes of the men as they touched their caps to him. 
 
In Home Waters 203 
 
 Then he turned rctl under the grime, for a histy fellow 
 jumped to the railings and seized his cap. 
 
 "Three cheers for Mr. Stapleton, the gentleman 
 what's jest come down the Pra all alone." he cried. 
 "Three of them, boys, and heartily !" 
 
 "Silence, please. Higgens, direct Mr. Stapleton to 
 the spare cabin and see to him. Thank you. lads, we 
 like to see a plucky act recognized." 
 
 It was an officer who spoke, and at his word the men 
 gave another cheer and departed, while Dick, still 
 somewhat overcome at the honour done him, followed 
 the mess servant who had appeared, and went down 
 to a cabin. Here he stripped off his rags, and was in- 
 vited to pass through a narrow doorway to the bath. 
 When he emerged, dripping and feeling wonderfully 
 fresh, there was the mess servant waiting to give him 
 a rub-down, and to help him to dress, for his shoulders 
 were now excessively stiff, while his knee was very 
 painful. He was, in fact, sore all over. But his joy 
 at being amongst friends was great, and he made light 
 of the pain. 
 
 "Mr. Hilden's compliments, sir, and he thinks these 
 garments will be about the size. He hopes you will 
 make use of them." 
 
 The servant, who was one of the marines, held out 
 a suit of white, and Dick gladly availed himself of the 
 clothing. There was a complete change of linen also, 
 and when at length he hobbled from the cabin he was 
 looking spruce and neat again — a clean young English- 
 man, modest of manner, well grown, and with that air 
 of quiet determination which is so common to young 
 men of our race, and which sat so well on him. No 
 
2 04 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 one would have thought that this young fellow had 
 been up-country in a responsible position, and that he 
 had so recently had such a tussle with the natives. 
 
 "What shall I do with these?" asked the servant, 
 politely, smothering a smile as he pointed to Dick's 
 discarded rags. 
 
 "Throw them overboard, or burn them, please," was 
 the smiling answer, "and — er — er " 
 
 "James, sir." 
 
 "Well, James, is there anything ?" 
 
 "Breakfast waiting, sir. Yes, sir. This way. The 
 officers are waiting." 
 
 He led the way to the gimroom, and in another 
 minute our hero was limping across the polished 
 boards to where a long table was placed between two 
 of the guns. There were a dozen officers there, more 
 or less, and they at once rose to greet him. 
 
 "Glad to see you about again, Stapleton," said one, 
 who looked as if he were the senior. "Let me intro- 
 duce my friends. Officers of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Mr. 
 Stapleton; Dick Stapleton, I think." 
 
 He said the last with a pleasant smile, while Dick 
 bowed to those present. 
 
 "Dick Stapleton, I think," repeated the officer. "We 
 all know that. The ship rings with the name. That 
 dark fellow of yours has been telling some secrets. Let 
 me congratulate you. It is seldom we hear of such an 
 escape, and it is fine to come across a young fellow 
 who, alone up-country, has been able to hold his own 
 so handsomely. 'Pon my v/ord, you've done well." 
 
 Dick went as red as the cummerbund about his waist, 
 and felt horribly confused. Then, at the invitation of 
 
In Home Waters 205 
 
 the officers, he sat down, and forgetting all else for 
 the moment enjoyed the good things put before him, 
 and the excellent company in which he found himself. 
 For there are none jollier than naval officers, none 
 more hospitable. Their gallantry has long, long ago 
 been proved to all the world. 
 
 "As soon as you are ready we will go to the Com- 
 modore." said the officer who had before addressed 
 himself to Dick. "I may say that he is simply itching 
 to hear your news. You see, it's important. We've 
 harl a brush with the natives, and it has been a nasty 
 business. There's a big disturbance going on. and the 
 war has regularly started. We expect Wolseley here 
 very soon — General Sir Garnet Wolseley, you know. 
 A fine soldier, and just the officer for a job of this 
 kind." 
 
 Dick opened his eyes in astonishment. He had 
 already gathered that there was some trouble afoot. 
 Indeed, when he sailed up the Pra with Mr. Pepson 
 there had been ugly rumours in the air. Some had 
 warned the members of the expedition that it would 
 be folly to go just then. Others had said that there 
 was always trouble threatening; that it was a condition 
 which had become practically chronic on the Gold Coast, 
 and that King Koffee was always a thorn in the flesh, 
 feared by Fantis and white men alike, and always liable 
 to make a raid on the coast. So it had been for a 
 long while, and he who hesitated to march into the 
 forest on that account was weak. But from his own 
 experience he knew that they had actually gone on the 
 war-path, and now he heard that the Xavy had had an 
 action with them. 
 
2o6 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "And there is to be a regular war?" he asked in 
 amazement. "Sir Garnet Wolseley is coming, and 
 troops, too, I suppose?" 
 
 "Yes, there will be troops, and some are already 
 here. It is to be a regular invasion. This fellow, 
 King Koffee, has become too troublesome and too for- 
 midable. His men are here on the coast, and the 
 neighbourhood of Elmina is in his hands. We are in 
 a tight corner, and shall remain so till the reinforce- 
 ments arrive. Then we shall march to Kumasi and 
 burn the wasp out. That's it precisely, Mr. Stapleton. 
 This king thinks that he can dictate terms to the white 
 men. He has a few captives, and thinks that because 
 he beat a white force years ago, he can repeat the 
 process. He wants a lesson, and we're here to give it 
 to him. Have you finished? Please do not let me 
 hurry you, but if you only knew the anxiety of our 
 Commodore, I think you would forgive any undue 
 haste on our part. Our Commodore has been fretting 
 at the unavoidable delay. Of course you could not 
 help that. Any one could see that you were dog tired. 
 Yes, this w-ay, now up the ladder and along the deck. 
 Sentry, my compliments to the Commodore, and say 
 that I have brought Mr. Stapleton." 
 
 A few seconds later the two were ushered into the 
 wardroom of the Rattlesnake, and Dick found himself 
 bowing before the Commodore, J. E. Commerell, V.C, 
 C.B., who came forward to shake him by the hand. 
 There were two other officers present, and it was evi- 
 dent by the expression on their faces that they were 
 eagerly awaiting news from the interior. 
 
 "This is a serious business, Mr. Stapleton," said the 
 
In Home Waters 207 
 
 Commodore, motioning Dick to a scat at the wardroom 
 table. "I heard that you have encountered an Ashanti 
 army, and I have information that they were on their 
 way to attack the Assims, a tribe friendly to ourselves. 
 Tell me all about this meeting, please, and also what 
 other frays you may have had with the enemy; for I 
 have also had mentioned to me the fact that you have 
 had more than one skirmish." 
 
 "I'll do my best, sir," answered Dick. "I went up- 
 country some weeks ago with my employers and some 
 Fanti boatmen. Also we took a native stoker, Johnnie, 
 who is here now. and has proved a splendid fellow. 
 We were attacked by Ashanti robbers on the way up, 
 and our Fanti s were in league with them. We beat 
 them off and went on to the mine for which we were 
 making. There was a stockade there, and as soon as 
 we had settled matters I was left in charge of the place 
 and of the miners. A few days ago, I cannot exactly 
 rememl^er how many, for after being awake so long 
 and then sleeping the clock round I am rather confused 
 —still, it is only a few days ago that the same leader 
 who had previously attacked our boats, made an at- 
 tempt to take the stockade, and failed owing to the 
 pluck of the miners and to the watchfulness of Johnnie. 
 But they hemmed us in. and we knew that they expect- 
 ed two hundred Ashantis to reinforce them." 
 
 "You knew? Excuse me. Mr. Stapleton, but how 
 could you know that when you were, according to your 
 own description, hemmed in the stockade? Did they 
 shout the news so as to frighten your men?" 
 
 The Commodore leaned across the table, and put the 
 question, while he looked closely at his guest. Dick 
 
2o8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 flushed again, for he felt ill at ease in this atmosphere 
 of the wardroom, with officers listening so intently to 
 his words. 
 
 "It was through an accident, you see, sir," he said. 
 "It happened that when the attack was made, I was 
 out in the forest scouting for the enemy, for we had 
 seen a small force in our neighbourhood a little time 
 before." 
 
 "Then you had taken precautions against attack, I 
 imagine?" interrupted the Commodore. "You had set 
 a watch, so as not to be taken unawares?" 
 
 "And yet they took me by surprise, sir. They came 
 up from the other side, and as I was in the forest I did 
 not know of their presence till I heard firing. Yes, 
 we had taken precautions. Johnnie was on the watch 
 at the stockade, and the men had been warned, and 
 had been trained as to their action in case of attack. 
 A tom-tom was beaten, and they simply ran to the 
 stockade and banged the door. Then they peppered 
 the enemy, with excellent results." 
 
 "Meanwhile you were in the forest, cut off from 
 your men?" 
 
 "Yes, sir. But I managed to creep through during 
 the night, and, thanks to the fact that I can now under- 
 stand the Ashanti tongue and speak it a little, I learned 
 of these reinforcements on my way through." 
 
 "And you got through without incident?" 
 
 "Hardly," admitted Dick, telling them quietly how 
 he had been followed, and had had to fight for his 
 life, and how he had been rescued when on the point 
 of being dragged away to captivity. "After that we 
 fooled them," he said easily. "We sent out a party to 
 
In Home Waters 209 
 
 the front, the direction from which their attack had 
 come, while we made preparations to slink ofif in the 
 opposite direction. The party retired over the hill 
 with the gold, while I went on firing for a time. We 
 had our launch in hiding in a creek some httle distance 
 away, and we got safely ahoard her and set off down 
 the river, towing the men in a native boat. Later we 
 paid ofT our men and hid the boat. Then we steamed 
 down-stream and had the bad luck to meet with an 
 Ashanti army. They peppered us hotly, and, in fact, 
 nearly cut us off. There were tw'O big war boats 
 which were the greatest danger, and aboard one was a 
 native with a big gun. firing a heavy bullet. He shot 
 our tiller away at a critical moment. But we used the 
 stoking rod, and — and here we are." 
 
 "Quite so. 'Sir. Stapleton. here you are," said the 
 Commodore, with a pleasant little smile. "But you 
 will excuse me. As a naval officer, I would like to 
 hear how it is that you are here at all. You had an 
 army to contend with. They were in boats. There 
 were two large war craft, and a man with an elephant 
 gun, a small cannon in fact. Your tiller was shot 
 away, and I have noticed that your funnel is perforated. 
 Your boat is marked with slugs from bow to stem, 
 and there are some pounds of slugs and pebbles on 
 the decks or embedded in the woodwork. You had 
 one stoker with you. Two for a crew to man the 
 vessel and fight her. This requires a little more expla- 
 nation." 
 
 Willingly would Dick have escaped further conver- 
 sation, for the reader must recollect that he was un- 
 used to this official atmosphere, and felt more than 
 
2IO With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 overawed by the presence of the officers, looking so 
 keen and spruce. However, there were friendly smiles 
 to encourage him, and he blurted out his news. 
 
 "Oh, we ran for the far side of the river, firing as 
 we went," he said. ''Then there was a chance. A 
 war boat left a gap behind her and we slipped into it. 
 But they can back their boats by simply turning on 
 their heels and reversing their paddles, and so she came 
 right across us. But we let 'em have it broadside on 
 and crumpled 'em up. A few clung to us or jumped 
 aboard, but we shot one or two, and Johnnie hit the rest 
 over the head with his shovel. Then the fellow with 
 the gun got our range again, and it looked a little 
 nasty for a while. But we shot him, and then — well, 
 here we are." 
 
 There was a hearty laugh at his words and at the 
 obvious confusion under which he laboured. But the 
 Commodore soon straightened his features and again 
 asked a very pertinent question. 
 
 "If you please," he said sweetly, "who are 'we'? 
 You say 'we' all the way through. We left the stock- 
 ade ; we paid the men off ; we fitted the stoking bar as a 
 tiller; we steered the launch over the war boat; and 
 we shot the man with the gun when things began to 
 look nasty. Do you mean that you and Johnnie did 
 these things together?" 
 
 Then our hero was compelled to give the details, 
 while the perspiration poured from his forehead. For 
 if he was brave, he was undoubtedly modest. 
 
 "And now I will tell you what has happened here," 
 said the Commodore. "But first I must thank you for 
 very valuable information, and at the same time con- 
 
In Home Waters 2 i i 
 
 gratulate you on your very plucky conduct. 'Pon my 
 word, gentlemen, we should be delighted had he been 
 one of our service. It would have been a fine feather 
 in our caps to be able to send such a report home to the 
 authorities. But now. my news. You may have seen 
 some of us wearing slings and bandages. We have 
 good reason for doing so, for three weeks ago we went 
 up the river Pra to discuss matters with some of these 
 natives who seemed inclined to be turbulent. They 
 met us in a friendly manner, but higher up, as our 
 boats were being towed closer to the bank and within 
 easy range, an ambush of some thousand natives 
 opened fire upon us. We were in a hopeless condition, 
 for we could not attack, and could hardly retire. But 
 we managed to draw away, and returned to the ship 
 with many poor fellows injured. Later we shelled the 
 town where the ambush had been laid and smashed it 
 to pieces. About the same time some of our men were 
 ill-treated by the natives higher up the river, and I 
 regret to say that in all wc lost four of our brave fel- 
 lows, while twenty of us were wounded, including six 
 officers. However, we are all recovering. But the 
 range was close, and a blow on the ribs is no laughing 
 matter." 
 
 The Commodore moved uneasily, and it was then 
 that Dick noticed an unusual bulging of his coat and 
 shirt, for in these hot parts all wore the lightest cloth- 
 ing. In fact, the Commodore had 1)een very seriously 
 injured by the murderous fire of the natives. 
 
 "There has been more troulile since." went on the 
 Commodr.re, "but we have not had the worst of it. We 
 have realized that the time for talking has passed, and 
 
2 12 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 we have given these unfriendly natives a sample of 
 our wares. We have shelled towns and villages where 
 the people were hostile. But they are that everywhere. 
 The bush swarms with enemies, and there can be no 
 doubt that we are face to face with a war of moderate 
 proportions. In that war, Air. Stapleton, you will be 
 able to play a prominent part, for you can speak both 
 the Fanti and Ashanti dialects, and you have some 
 knowledge of the country. I shall ask you to take a 
 letter to the Lieutenant-Governor at Cape Coast Castle, 
 in which I will repeat what I have just said. But per- 
 haps you would rather not aid the troops ; perhaps you 
 will want to return home, in which case Her Majesty's 
 forces will be the losers." 
 
 "I cannot say, sir," was the answer. "Till I see my 
 friends and ascertain their wishes I am unable to de- 
 cide. Indeed, I am not my own master. May I press 
 on at once, for I am anxious to get to them and hand 
 over the gold. Besides, when they hear of this trouble, 
 they will be wondering what has happened to their 
 mine." 
 
 "And I think also to the young manager who was 
 put in charge. Certainly, Mr. Stapleton, you are at 
 liberty to push on any time. I have had your launch 
 replenished with coal, and provisions shall be placed 
 aboard her. You will hardly need a crew, I should 
 say, seeing that you have brought her all this way with 
 one man only and have now no enemies to fear. But 
 let me warn you. You must on no account put into 
 Elmina. The neighbourhood is in the hands of the 
 enemy. The Elminas there have proved false, and 
 have thrown in their lot with the enemy. An attack 
 
Ill Home Waters 213 
 
 in force was niatle un the town and beaten off, five 
 hundred of the enemy being killed. Vou would be 
 fired on, not that that would matter much now, for you 
 must be used to the experience, but it might be awk- 
 ward. Push straight on for Cape Coast Castle." 
 
 He said the words with a friendly smile and a 
 twinkle of amusement, while he gripped Dick by the 
 hand. There was no doubt, in fact, that he was as 
 impressed with the modestly described tale of Dick's 
 atlventures as were the crew with the lurid accounts 
 which Johnnie had given them. And his comrades in 
 ward and gun rooms endorsed his opinion. It was 
 long since they had met with such pluck and deter- 
 mination, or with one who carried his honours so easily 
 and unconsciously. 
 
 "It's what I like to see," said the Commodore, as 
 his guest left the cabin. "Xo side, like some of these 
 civilians of youthful age. Xo pomposity when speak- 
 ing of the natives or of men in a lower station. Good 
 sense all through. Politeness and good temper, which 
 show the gentleman; and plenty of grit. My word, 
 Hilden, a fellow in our service would deserve promo- 
 tion for such conduct." 
 
 Plalf an hour afterwards there was a commotion 
 aboard the Rutllcsiiakc as Dick prepared to leave. A 
 right hearty farewell was given him, and numerous 
 invitations to come again, such is the geniality and 
 hospitality of the Xavy. The sailors and marines had 
 again congregated on the deck, for they love to see 
 an officer who has done well, and never spare their 
 praise where it is merited. And down l^elow, stand- 
 ing in the launch, was Johnnie, waving to his bosom 
 
2 14 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 friends above, his short clay pipe gripped between his 
 sharp white teeth, and emitting now the aroma of a 
 different brand of tobacco, the powerful, far-penetrat- 
 ing scent of Navy shag, the smoke which tries the 
 stomach of the raw recruits. Johnnie was unaltered 
 in appearance, save that he had had a wash. A bucket 
 and a piece of soap had transformed him sufficiently, 
 and he stood there below in his old clothing, looking 
 just as he did at the stockade, save that the garments 
 were now more ragged and stained, while there was a 
 huge rent extending up one leg to the knee. The 
 wound on his cheek was there, covered with a piece of 
 strapping, which gave it unusual and ghastly propor- 
 tions. Johnnie was undoubtedly proud of that wound, 
 and thought no more of lost beauty. He laughed and 
 chattered, and seeing Dick about to descend, called out 
 a final farewell to his late entertainers. 
 
 "Golly ! you come all to Sierra Leone and see how 
 Johnnie do for yo ! Plenty eat, plenty drink, and all 
 berry glad yo come. Dance and sing, play de banjo 
 or flute. Yes, yo come, and Massa Dick be dere to 
 meet yo. S' long, yo boys; glad we meet." 
 
 There was a roar from the deck above. 
 
 "So long, cocky. If yer get tired o' stokin' that 'ere 
 kettle, jest apply aboard this here ship. Plenty of 
 baccy and grub, cocky, and you'll be welcome. And, 
 Johnnie," one of the voices suddenly broke in, silencing 
 the others, "when yer come again with Mr. Stapleton, 
 jest remember that quids is scarce aboard this here 
 ship. Jest tip 'im the wink and bring aboard a few 
 of them 'ere bags o' gold. We could do with a little 
 extry pay and allowances." 
 
In Home Waters 215 
 
 That brought forth another roar, and a cheer as 
 Dick took his place at the tiller, a tiller which now, 
 thanks to the kindness of the Commodore and tiie skill 
 of the carpenter, had been retitted. 
 
 "Cast ofT!" cried Dick. "Ahead. Let 'er have it. 
 Sound that whistle. Johnnie." 
 
 Thev went away from the side of the Rattlcsuuke 
 with a rush, and were soon steaming along the coast, 
 increasing tlieir distance from their late friends rapidly. 
 Then they set their eyes towards Elmina and Cape 
 Coast Castle, which they hoped to reach before night. 
 Presently they sighted the fort at Elmina. with the 
 native town and tiie expanse of cleared ground, precau- 
 tions which the Dutch had taken against fever, but 
 which, in spite of the example thus set them, and the 
 crying need, the English had not yet attempted at Cape 
 Coast Castle. Then they steamed on along the coast, 
 rising and falling with the swell, while the music of 
 the surf as it fell on the sandy beach came to their 
 ears. In due course they sighted the huge, irregular 
 erection known as the Castle, and very soon the launch 
 was moored off the beach. Dick signalled for a surf- 
 boat and in half an hour had reached the shore, taking 
 with him his store of gold. There were plenty of 
 native porters alxxit. and he hired six. who at once took 
 up the bags. Then the procession set off, and crossing 
 the bridge which separates the native town from the 
 European settlements, turned its steps towards the 
 house in which Mr. Stapleton had lived. No one was 
 out as the party arrived, so Dick had the bags piled 
 on the edge of the verandah. He had a little money 
 with him. and therefore was able to dismiss the car- 
 
2i6 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 riers. Then he pulled at the bell, while he stood on 
 the verandah keeping guard over the gold. There 
 was a shuffling of feet, and a few seconds later a tall, 
 slim figure emerged from the main room, and gave 
 vent to a cry of amazement. 
 
 It was Mr. Pepson, gaunter than ever, with signs 
 of suffering written on his face, which now showed 
 the utmost astonishment and delight. Never had Dick 
 seen him so betray his feelings. He almost shed tears, 
 and gripped our hero's hand so firmly that the fingers 
 ached. Meanwhile Dick noticed that something had 
 happened to his employer, for he wore one arm in a 
 sling, while there was a large strip of plaster at the 
 back of his head. 
 
 "Another wound which I owe to the Ashantis," said 
 Mr. Pepson, breaking the silence. "We were attacked 
 and cut up. But sit down. Fm still very weak, and 
 your unexpected return has staggered me. I never 
 hoped to see you alive again, my boy. I have blamed 
 myself over and over again that the desire to obtain 
 gold from this mine should have induced me to place 
 you in such a dangerous position. And you are 
 wounded, too. Why, you are limping, and there are 
 bandages here and there !" 
 
 Dick admitted the fact, for the surgeon aboard the 
 Rattlesnake had insisted on dressing his wounds. 
 
 "But you, sir, and Meinheer?" he asked. "You 
 were attacked?" 
 
 "Treacherously, and I grieve to say that the agent 
 who was returning with us was killed at the first dis- 
 charge. It was quite near the mouth of the Pra, and 
 we thought that there was nothing more to fear. We 
 
K .\i .1- > I '■> \ " K I 1 i I. i 1 A I I ii I. i I I, - 1 I '1 -' 11 M\i .h 
 
In Home Waters 217 
 
 made a capital trip of it and everything looked well. 
 Suddenly shots were fired at us from the bush, and a 
 boat pushed out toward us. Our agent, as I have said, 
 was killed at the very first discharge, while I was 
 struck on the head, and was almost stunned. Still I 
 managed to seize a paddle, and Meinheer did the same. 
 We paddled for our lives, with the natives in hot pur- 
 suit. I hardly know how it happened afterwards, but 
 think that i^leinheer must have been cramped, and 
 endeavoured to change his position. He slipped, fell 
 against the side of the boat, and — well, you know his 
 size and weight — it capsized us instantly, and we were 
 thrown into the river. I never saw him again. He 
 may have clung to the boat and been captured. On the 
 other hand, it is more than probable that he went 
 straight to the bottom. As for myself, I swam for 
 the bank and scrambled ashore, receiving another 
 wound as I left the water. Then I raced on into the 
 bush with those fiends after me, and finally fell ex- 
 hausted. But they must have given up the chase, for 
 when I regained consciousness there was no one about. 
 I was desperately fagged, but I knew that I should die 
 like a dog if I remained there, so I plunged on through 
 the bush, and finally hit the river. Then I came upon 
 some friendly natives who brought me here. That's 
 all, my boy, and I am more than grieved to have to 
 narrate it. Poor Meinheer is gone, and if you had 
 been killed also 1 should have been heart-broken: I 
 thank Heaven that you are safe. Now sit down and 
 tell me how you managed to win through." 
 
 "First of all, what shall be done with these bags?" 
 asked Uick. "They contain gold dust and nuggets. 
 
2 1 8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 The mine was doing very well, and there were rich 
 finds, so that I have been able to bring you a good 
 return." 
 
 Again there was amazement on Mr. Pepson's face. 
 He gazed at his young agent as though he could not 
 believe his eyes and ears. Then he motioned to him 
 to sit down. 
 
 "I care more for your story," he said. "The gold 
 is nothing to me till I hear that. Sit down, and let me 
 hear all about your doings." 
 
 It was late that night when the two turned in, and 
 on the following morning, when the gold had been 
 safely deposited at the bank, they resumed the conver- 
 sation, for Dick had a question to put. His heart was 
 in the country, and he desired above all things to see 
 the war through. Besides, the idea of taking part in 
 a campaign fascinated him, and he longed to go up- 
 country to Kumasi with the troops. 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 On Special Service 
 
 "Here is the letter, sir, which the Commodore gave me 
 to carry to the Governor," said Dick, as he and Air. 
 Pepson took up the conversation of the previous day. 
 "He offered me a post with the expedition which will 
 be sent to Kumasi, and I dechned it until I had seen 
 my employers. What are your wishes in the matter?" 
 
 "That you should go," was the prompt reply. "My 
 inclination at first when I returned here was to go 
 back to England at once, for I began to hate this coun- 
 try. But I thought of you, and I stayed on the chance 
 of your turning up. Now I think of Meinheer. I 
 give you full permission to take this post, with the 
 agreement that you still remain my agent, and draw 
 your salary. That will be a retaining fee. for when 
 the war is over I shall want you again. There, you 
 are free to go, and I am sure you will do much for our 
 cause." 
 
 That afternoon Dick appeared at Government 
 House, a familiar place to him, and handed his letter 
 to the Governor, who was delighted to see him. 
 
 "Of course we shall be glad to have you," he said, 
 219 
 
2 20 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "and I will send along an official appointment this 
 evening, stating your pay and allowance. For the 
 present there is nothing for you to do, save perhaps 
 to ascertain from the natives what is the present where- 
 abouts of the Ashantis. When Sir Garnet Wolseley 
 arrives he will no doubt have work for you. You 
 look thin and pale. Take a rest, my boy. A white 
 man cannot work for so long out here in the forest 
 without feeling the effects of the climate." 
 
 But Dick Stapleton was young and inclined at times 
 to be foolhardy. He had the objection to remaining 
 still common to every lad of his age. He loathed 
 molly-coddling, and though at times he felt feverish, 
 his stubborn nature would not let him give in, lest he 
 should be thought to be shamming. And so, within a 
 few days of his arrival back at the coast, he was ex- 
 ploring the mouth of the Pra once more, with Johnnie 
 as stoker, and a crew of ten bluejackets from the Rat- 
 tlesnake, all intent upon a brush with the enemy. 
 
 "Pending the arrival of Sir Garnet and the troops, 
 you will do your utmost to obtain tidings of the 
 enemy," said the Commodore, as he bade farewell to 
 our hero.. "And above all, Dick, no meetings with 
 armies, if you please. You have as complete a selec- 
 tion of stores atoard as we could think of, and your 
 crew are all picked men. Make the Rattlesnake your 
 headquarters, returning here with news whenever you 
 can." 
 
 And so Dick set off, in command of an expedition 
 for the first time, and a proud man he felt, too, as he 
 sat at the tiller, with his eye on his fine crew. But he 
 had only ascended a very few miles of the river Pra 
 
On Special Service 221 
 
 when he met witli an enemy even more dangerous than 
 tlie Ashantis. One morning, as he sprawled on the 
 deck to eat his hreakfast, he was seized with a curious 
 sensation. 
 
 "What is there, Johnnie?" he asked hstlessly, toying 
 witli the pocket fork and knife which all campaigners 
 carry. 
 
 "liot coffee, massa, berry hot; and golly! look at 
 dem tinned sausages ! Johnnie take dem from de tin 
 jest now, and look how dey frizzle!" 
 
 Dick did look, and on another occasion he would 
 have fallen upon the food with eagerness, for an expe- 
 dition of any sort encourages a healthy appetite. But 
 this morning, strangely enough, he could not eat. 
 The sight of food sickened him. He pushed his plate 
 away and took to his pipe. Even that did not please 
 him. The taste was all wrong, and he sat down, look- 
 ing dejected, for the first time for many a day. Then 
 he commenced to shiver, till his teeth rattled together 
 like castanets. 
 
 " 'E's got it, sure enough," whispered one of the 
 salts, an old hand on the coast. "This cruise 'as come 
 to a end, chummies. Look at 'im shivcrin'. It's a bit 
 of bad luck, mates, 'cos 'e was the boy to show us some 
 fun. Beg pardon, sir," he went on, coming to Dick's 
 side, "but ain't ycr feeling quite up to it? Let's feel 
 yer 'and." 
 
 Without further ceremony he took the hand which 
 hung listlessly at his young commander's side, and 
 put his finger on the pulse, at the wrist, for this tar 
 had had some instruction, and was an intelligent fel- 
 low. Then he turned to one of his mates. 
 
222 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "Fetch along that 'ere medicine pannier," he said 
 shortly. "Now, then, open it carefully, and jest lift 
 out that 'ere box. If yer please, sir, jest put this under 
 yer tongue." 
 
 With deft fingers he produced a thermometer from 
 the medicine chest, and placed it in Dick's mouth. 
 Three minutes later he inspected it, while the look on 
 his jolly face turned to one of concern. 
 
 "Are yer cold, sir ?" he asked sympathetically. 
 
 "No; but awfully hot. I'm burning all over," was 
 the answer. "And I'm very thirsty." 
 
 "And you've got a temperature. Tom Huggins 
 there, 'bout ship; and, Johnnie, let 'er skip till we're 
 out of the river. The orfficer's got a go of fever, and 
 sooner he's aboard the Rattlesnake and at sea the better 
 for him and all of us. I'll get yer a blanket, sir, and 
 make yer comfortable." 
 
 They w^ere all very good to their young commander, 
 and took care of him as if he were a child, till they 
 reached the open sea and espied the Rattlesnake. An 
 hour later he was lying on the after deck beneath an 
 awning, tossing with fever, and with an orderly from 
 the sick bay told off to keep special watch and ward 
 over him. For Dick had a severe attack. The re- 
 sponsible work at the stockade, the fear of a sudden 
 appearance of the enemy, and the flight had all aided 
 a notoriously bad climate. And at last he was down 
 with malaria, which kept him aboard the ship for a 
 month. 
 
 While he is lying there, with plenty of friends about 
 him to see to his welfare, we will step aside for a little 
 while, and review matters at the coast. War, for 
 
On Special Scnice 223 
 
 \var's sake, is seldom waged, except amongst savage 
 tribes. And even \\itli them there is usually some 
 grievance, some cause which leads to the outbreak of 
 hostilities. It may be that more country is desired, 
 that the men of a certain tribe desire to take wives 
 from another, or that some injury done to a nation 
 or a race years and years before has left a feeling of 
 bitterness and a desire for vengeance; a grudge is 
 owed, and is paid back at the first moment when those 
 who have sustained the injury are strong enough to 
 fight. But Britain does not conduct her wars in that 
 manner. The numerous little expeditions and minor 
 cami)aigns upon which she is so often engaged are 
 almost invariably the direct result of molestation from 
 some race living on her borders. 
 
 For years, perhaps, she has patiently suffered the 
 injury, hoping by diplomacy to put an end to the w^hole 
 trouble. Then, when her patience is exhausted, and 
 diplomacy has failed ; or when the aggressors have 
 become still more audacious, she finds that war is neces- 
 sary, that nothing but armed interference will bring 
 peace to that particular border. Too often her patience 
 and forl^earance have been mistaken by an untutored 
 race for weakness, and thus it happens that the foes she 
 has to meet are more numerous than they might have 
 been. However, the history of these small wars is, 
 as a rule, so very similar that one campaign differs 
 only in detail from another. Troops are sent to the 
 part, there is an invasion, and. most likely, severe fight- 
 ing. \'illagcs are taken and burned, forts are stormed, 
 and men killed and captured. There may Ix; a reverse, 
 for one cannot hope for continued good fortune. But 
 
2 24 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 persistence, good training- and discipline tell in the end. 
 The tribe is conquered, a fine is levied, and in numerous 
 cases the British Commissioner left to aid in the ad- 
 ministration of the country settles down peaceably, and 
 a new order commences to reign. So much so that in 
 time the very race which had been opposed to us begins 
 to see some virtue in our friendship, and when another 
 campaign takes place against some neighbouring chief, 
 old enemies are united in the effort to subdue the com- 
 mon foe. 
 
 Britain had had trouble with the men of Ashanti 
 before this time, when Dick Stapleton had been prac- 
 tically the first to have a brush with them. We had 
 crossed swords with the Ashantis more than once, and 
 with varying success; but, unlike other races, these 
 men inhabiting the forest beyond the coast-line had 
 maintained their independence and their bitterness. 
 For they had always a cause for war, and as the reader 
 will see presently, that cause had been increased since 
 we acquired the town and port of Elmina from the 
 Dutch. The Ashantis were at this time a powerful 
 nation, for the most part trained to war, and it will 
 have been gathered that, owing to the fact that there is 
 ample gold in their country, they were a wealthy nation 
 as compared with many others in a similar condition 
 of civilization. Moreover, the commercial spirit was 
 strong within them. They traded with the interior, 
 and for many years caravans had passed to Kumasi 
 across the country lying still farther from the sea, 
 carrying products of Africa, ivory in large quantities, 
 food-stufifs and cottons, and what was appreciated far 
 more perhaps, slaves in plenty. And in return the 
 
On Special Service 225 
 
 men who brouglit these caravans to Kumasi received 
 gold dust, and the highly prized kola nut. Thus, it 
 will be seen that the Ashantis were unlike many savage 
 races. They were in friendly communication with far- 
 ofif peoples, and, owing to the peculiar resources of 
 their country, to the gold found there, and mainly to 
 the kola nut, which grows in profusion, and which 
 was then extensively cultivated, they were rich and 
 prosperous. It was only natural that, with money to 
 spend and a coast so near, they should desire to have a 
 port where they could trade with other nations, and 
 through which, in exchange for their surplus gold, 
 they could obtain European goods, and, above all, gims 
 and ammunition. For much wealth brings the desire 
 for more. It engenders a feeling of pride and supe- 
 riority in the savage breast, and it is hardly to be won- 
 dered at that the Ashantis, looking about them and 
 comparing their own degree of comfort and civilization 
 with that of their less fortunate neightours, desired to 
 increase their wealth. With guns and powder they 
 could fight, and could conquer neighbouring nations. 
 And with guns they could make sure of a port on the 
 coast. 
 
 It will be realized that with her object gained, 
 Ashanti would hardly look favourably upon any nation 
 which attempted to put a stop to her coast trade, and 
 there is no doubt that it was Britain's determination 
 to arrest the import of guns and ammunition which 
 led to the war which had now commenced. For the 
 reader will recollect that Elmina had just passed into 
 our hands, having been purchased from the Dutch, 
 who had for very many years maintained a trade with 
 
2 26 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 the Ashantis. Now, however, Britain, being in pos- 
 session of this port — if Elmina can be given such a title 
 — determined to put an end to the trade in guns, and 
 indeed to all trade, till matters were satisfactorily set- 
 tled with the King of Ashanti. For if he had a griev- 
 ance, so also had we. For years we had been on bad 
 terms, and now, when Ashanti armies were threatening 
 the coast, and a demand was being made for free trade 
 with Elmina, a request on our part met with refusal. 
 King Kofifee held certain Europeans as captives, and 
 before we would discuss the question of trade with 
 him, we desired the return of those captives, a request 
 which was refused, a large ransom being demanded. 
 Then followed negotiations, till King Kofifee, a despot 
 ruling over an extensive country, and with much 
 hoarded wealth, lost all patience. He was a powerful 
 king, he said to himself, and could put fifty thousand 
 armed and trained men in the field. Why should he 
 take "nay" from a race of white men living on the 
 coast? Why should Ashanti be hemmed within her 
 forests? She was powerful and could eat these white 
 men up. 
 
 Promptly the armies were organized, and while 
 Britain still dallied, the King of Ashanti invaded our 
 protectorate. But still Britain held her hand, for this 
 was a native war, and because the Ashantis had at- 
 tacked the Fantis and other tribes, there was no reason 
 why we should send troops to this notoriously un- 
 healthy coast, and fight their battles. Thus it happened 
 that matters at Cape Coast dragged on, while all trade 
 with the interior ceased. 
 
 If the invasion of the protectorate had ended with 
 
On Special Scr\ice 227 
 
 an attack upon the Fantis and other races, Britain 
 might well have continued her policy of aloofness, for 
 she had nothing to gain by invading Ashanti. She 
 had tried to do so on fonner occasions, and had failed 
 disastrously. And so she was minded now to leave 
 matters till King Koffee and his armies had settled 
 their quarrel with their neighbours, when perhaps there 
 would be a satisfactory ending to the negotiations, and 
 peace would result. Then trade would be reopened, 
 gims and ammunition excepted, and the white men on 
 the coast would have ample opportunities of reaping a 
 harvest, for, as has been said. Ashanti was a wealthy 
 country. However, matters did not stop at invasion 
 of our protectorate. While Dick was at the mine, 
 looking after the affairs of his employers, the forces of 
 King Koffee attacked Elmina. They induced the 
 natives of that town and other places bought by us 
 from the Dutch, to join them, and Britain suddenly 
 awakened to the fact that the enemy was at her very 
 door, and that they meant to wage war with the white 
 man. If there had been any doubt as to the intentions 
 of the Asliantis, the attacks made by their friends and 
 allies on the boats of the Rottlcsiiakc were sufficiently 
 convincing proofs. It was war. and Britain found her- 
 self, as is too often the case, utterly unprepared for it. 
 But she girded on her sword, and preparations were 
 pushed fonvard so as to enable us to drive the Ashantis 
 back, and march on their capital. 
 
 That was the condition of affairs existing when Dick 
 reached the coast, and it was only because of the iso- 
 lated position of the mine that he had failed to hear 
 earlier of the Ashanti invasion. There were few troops 
 
228 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 at Cape Coast Castle, and few officers. There were 
 practically no stores, and certainly insufficient to sup- 
 port an expedition. All was being prepared in Britain, 
 while ships were loading every sort of item likely to be 
 serviceable in the coming campaign. 
 
 Sir Garnet Wolseley, a brilliant officer, and one of 
 our youngest generals, had been chosen to command, 
 while a staff of officers had been appointed who would 
 help him in the campaign and make success as sure as 
 possible. 
 
 And now a few words more before we leave the 
 subject of Ashanti history. Cape Coast Castle was 
 settled by the Portuguese, and was ceded to the Dutch 
 in 1 64 1. In 1655 "^'^ captured it, and it was secured 
 to Britain by treaty. Thus, at the time of this out- 
 break, we had been in possession for more than two 
 hundred years. And what had we done during that 
 time? The reader who is accustomed to the tale of 
 British progress in our Colonies and India, in fact, in 
 any part where men of our race gather, might well 
 expect to find improvement here also. But such was 
 not the case. Cape Coast Castle at this moment was 
 much the same as it had been when we took it from 
 the Dutch. No efforts had been made to clear the 
 forest, and to provide an open space. The town was 
 as unhealthy a place as could well be found. Trade 
 flourished to a certain extent, but might have been 
 vastly improved. And lastly, we might have encour- 
 aged the advances of the powerful Ashantis, and there- 
 by gained a vast trade. We might have opened up 
 roads to the interior, and dredged the rivers, thus 
 enabling our own manufactures to find a market, and 
 
On Special Service 229 
 
 in place of sending numerous presents to the reigning 
 monarch of Ashanti. with a view to concihating him, 
 we might very well have made a treaty with him, 
 wherehy commerce might have been improved on both 
 sides. Both those who ruled British affairs on the 
 Gold Coast practised a short-sighted policy, with the 
 result that we had come into conflict on at least four 
 occasions with the Ashantis, and on nearly all these 
 occasions the question between the two nations was 
 one of commerce. The powerful Ashantis were im- 
 patient of the white man's interference. We blocked 
 the way to the sea. and the people of Kumasi desired 
 a free opening, by means of which they might exchange 
 home products for guns and other items much in 
 re(juest by them. 
 
 And now the position was precisely the same, only 
 the purchase of Elmina had brought matters to a head. 
 King Koffee had demanded the fort there, claiming 
 that" it was his. and had been met with curt refusal. 
 Then, it is said, our Governor on the Gold Coast at- 
 tempted to interfere with the barbanxis customs of the 
 Elminas. a mixed race inhabiting the neighbourhood 
 of the town. This people had never encountered diffi- 
 culty on the same score from the Dutch, and they 
 naturallv resented the action. More than likely also 
 they were bribed by the Ashantis. But, as has been 
 seen, they promptly retaliated by throwing in their lot 
 with King Koffee. and by inviting him to invade the 
 protectorate. An.d that invasion had carried the 
 Ashantis up to the very edge of Cape Coast Castle, 
 and had resulted in a Iwmbardment of Elmina. Then 
 matters had settled for a time, and little was heard of 
 
230 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 the armies of the potentate of Kumasi, till our hero 
 rushed clown upon them on the Prahsu. But for that 
 chance meeting and the outrageous ambush laid for the 
 sailors, those in authority at Cape Coast Castle would 
 have still gone on with the comfortable thought that 
 King Koffee meant no great harm to the white men. 
 True, he had joined with the Elminas, and there had 
 been an incursion of his armies to that place, necessi- 
 tating an attack by the guns of tlie fleet. But he had 
 since disappeared, and though complaints came from 
 the Fantis and others that they were still suffering, 
 there was no evidence of that fact at the coast. It 
 seemed, indeed, as if the trouble were subsiding, and 
 as if King Koffee realized the hopelessness of the 
 struggle. It was thought that he would treat with the 
 Government again, and would hand over the captives ; 
 then a treaty could be made with him, and trade be re- 
 vived. Meanwhile it was risky to ascend the Pra. or 
 enter the country of Ashanti. Think, then, of the as- 
 tonishment of the officials on the coast when Dick re- 
 turned with his news, when, added to the treacherous 
 attack made upon the Navy, resulting in such severe 
 losses, came definite news of a large Ashanti army on 
 the Prahsu. And very soon the advance of this same 
 army was reported by friendly natives, so that there 
 could no longer be any doubt that serious trouble was 
 impending. The eyes of those in authority opened very 
 wide indeed. Already it had been decided that troops 
 were wanted; but now that need was undoubtedly 
 urgent. 
 
 When a month had passed, therefore, and Dick was 
 again out of his hammock, the aspect at the coast had 
 
On Special Service 231 
 
 changed. Where before had been peace and repose, 
 was now the utmost bustle. The Rattlesnake had 
 gone, and other ships had taken her place. Dick him- 
 self was aboard a hospital ship which had been sent to 
 the coast, while in the roads, lying a mile from the 
 shore, with swarms of surf-boats manned by laughing 
 kroomen about them, were transports discharging men 
 and supplies. 
 
 One in particular drew the attention of all eyes, for 
 she was the Ambris;, African mail steamer, and she 
 had just lirought Sir Garnet, together with his staff. 
 Dick looked eagerly at her, wondering whether he 
 would be given an opportunity to meet this famous 
 General, who at this moment had the honours of the 
 Red River Expedition fresh upon him. He wondered, 
 too, whether his appointment would meet with ap- 
 proval, and whether his duties would take him soon 
 into the country of the enemy. 
 
 "I'm fit and well at any rate," he said to himself, as 
 he leaned against the rail. "Tliere's nothing like sea 
 breeze to clear fe\'er away, and though I own that I 
 was as weak as a rat when I was transferred here, I 
 am now, thanks to the excellent rations provided, as fit 
 as I ever was." 
 
 "And depend upon it, you will soon l)e emplin'ed," 
 answered a young officer, who stood beside him, and 
 who, having volunteered for service, had come out 
 with Sir Garnet, only to fall ill on the voyage and l^e 
 sent to the hospital ship within a few hours of reach- 
 ing the coast. "We shall all be at it soon, and I'm 
 glad that I've had this attack now, and not waited till 
 later. Hullo! there comes the Governor's launch." 
 
2 22 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 They watched the tiny vessel steam away from its 
 anchorage just beyond the surf opposite Cape Coast 
 Castle, for, as has been explained, there was no harbour 
 on this coast, nothing- had been done to afford protec- 
 tion to even the smallest shipping. The launch stood 
 away from the shore, and presently arrived at the 
 gangway hanging to the side of the hospital ship. 
 There was a staff officer atoard, and having ascended 
 to the deck, and saluted the medical officer in charge, 
 he descended ^^'ith him to the cabin. A few minutes 
 later he came up again, and his companion pointed to 
 Dick. 
 
 'There he is," he said, with a good-natured smile. 
 "I pass him as fit, and shall be glad to get rid of him, 
 for, 'pon my word, the youngster has been the worry 
 of my life. Every day he has pestered me to allow 
 him to go ashore. Take him and welcome." 
 
 "Then, Mr. Stapleton, the General sends his com- 
 pliments and desires that you Avill call at Government 
 House and see his Chief of the Staff. Will you come 
 now ?" 
 
 Would he come at once? Dick smiled at the very 
 idea, and ran below with all the eagerness of a boy. 
 Soon he appeared again, spruce and neat in his white 
 clothing, and stepped into the launch. 
 
 "Remember me. Dick," sang out the young officer, 
 who had become friendly with him. "If there is a boat 
 expedition or anything going, I am a volunteer. Ask 
 to choose your own staff, and don't forget that I shall 
 be keen." 
 
 Half an hour later the surf-boat had landed them, 
 and our hero felt like a young horse which has been 
 
On Special Scr\ Ice 233 
 
 conveyed oversea, and has not set foot on land for 
 many a day. It was glorious to feel the sand under 
 his shoes, to see the people moving about, the laughing 
 kroomen, the native carriers, the mulattoes of the 
 coast, the white men, English for the most part, with 
 an occasional Dutchman, all husily engaged in checking 
 stores. There were young officers, as young or younger 
 than himself, in their shirt sleeves, with pith helmets 
 tilted to the backs of their heads, perspiring freely, 
 while they saw that the stores were correct. And 
 everywhere, some under tarpaulins, some exposed to 
 the air, were the stores, cases of biscuit, of rice, of 
 pork, and of beef. Huge ovens for field camps, kettles 
 of the standard army pattern, known throughout the 
 service as "dickies." Bales of clothing for native 
 levies, cases of the same for European troops, shells of 
 regulation construction, swords which were sharp on 
 one side and had a saw edge on the reverse, star shells 
 meant to be fired high into the air and light up the sur- 
 roundings, hand grenades and rockets. Dick even 
 noted some barrels labelled "beads," a curious thing to 
 find in such a place. 
 
 "For the niggers and their wives," said the staff 
 officer, with a laugh. "That is the way in which we 
 shall pay our way in some parts, though I fancy it will 
 hardly take us to Kumasi." 
 
 There was a grim smile on his face as he said the 
 words, and he looked closely at Dick. 
 
 "What is your opinion?'' he asked. 
 
 "All depends on the force we have, and on the 
 methods we employ, and the strategy)- adopted by the 
 enemy," answered Dick. "If King Koffee leads his 
 
2 34 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 troops against us and shows up in the open, he will be 
 smashed to pieces. Our rifles would beat down his 
 gun fire, while our shells and gatlings would send his 
 men running. But it will be different." 
 
 "You have seen for yourself? You have been up- 
 country, they tell me." 
 
 "A little. The forest extends for something like 
 two hundred miles, and we shall have no choice but to 
 fight through it. Whether we go by river or road to 
 Prahsu, there we shall have to take to the bush, and it 
 will be difficult work. A man can creep close to one 
 and stab, while rifles are almost useless. Then there's 
 the climate. But we ought to get to Kumasi if we 
 have the troops." 
 
 "What I think and hope. But come along. Here's 
 the office." 
 
 A few moments later Dick was ushered into the 
 large, airy room in which the Staff held their meet- 
 ings, and at once stood at attention, his hat in his 
 hand. By now he had become used to official matters 
 and people, and therefore he felt no nervousness when 
 he discovered that there were four officers present, all 
 of senior rank, while two at least were high up in the 
 service. Instantly Dick's eye was riveted on the figtn-e 
 of one of these officers, moderately tall and exceedingly 
 soldierly in appearance. 
 
 "Sir Garnet," said the other, motioning to him. 
 "Mr. Dick Stapleton, of whom you have heard." 
 
 Dick bowed at the name and stood, awaiting the 
 wishes of those who had summoned him. 
 
 "You are w^ell and strong again, it is reported?" 
 said the chief of the staff. "That is good news, for 
 
On Special Service 235 
 
 tlie General desires some information. Do you con- 
 sider that you are well enough to undertake another 
 journey into the bush ?" 
 
 "Quite." was Dick's emphatic answer. "I am fit 
 and strong- again now, and longing to be off." 
 
 Sir Garnet smiled. The chief of the staff smiled, 
 while the officers present exchanged knowing glances. 
 
 "That is like your spirit." went on the officer, "but 
 I wish you to consider this question before you reply, 
 for the journey upon which we require you to go is one 
 from which some do not return. We have news, more 
 or less reliable, of the movements of the Ashanti 
 armies, news which is sufficient till the troops arrive 
 from England. But in the meanwhile we want to have 
 particulars of the country beyond the Pra, from there 
 to Kumasi, and if possible news of the captives and of 
 King Koffee. Troops are expected at the end of the 
 year, in two months perhaps. So you have that time 
 in which to get this information. But you know, 
 doubtless, the condition of the country. There are at 
 least two Ashanti armies lying in the jungle, and per- 
 haps there are others." 
 
 He ceased speaking and looked questioningly at the 
 young fellow standing hat in hand, as if awaiting an 
 answer, while he desired atove all things to weigh his 
 character, to see for himself whether he were indeed 
 the lad of courage which the Governor had represented 
 him to be. and whether he were a fit person to under- 
 take an expedition of such danger. 
 
 "There will be no mercy from the Ashantis." he 
 added, lifting a warning finger. "You have met them 
 and you should know." 
 
236 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "When can I start? The sooner the better," said 
 Dick, quietly. 
 
 ''Then you will go ?" 
 
 "Yes, sir, and I will get this information for you 
 if it is possible. Wdiat men may I have ? Td like the 
 old launch which I had before. She steams well, and 
 has a stout hull." 
 
 "Choose your own staff and your own methods of 
 proceeding," was the genial answer. "They tell me 
 that you have patrolled the river before, so you must 
 know what is wanted. Come and report here just 
 before you leave. And, er — ]\Ir. Stapleton, there will 
 be a handsome reward for this information." 
 
 Dick was glad that he had heard that after he had 
 accepted the task. 
 
 "After all," he thought, as he left the office, "I 
 would rather work for the fun of the thing and for 
 the good of old England than for money. If, how- 
 ever, there is a reward and I win it, why, all the better. 
 It will be like winning a prize. And now for the prep- 
 arations. I shall want to think it out." 
 
 He bade farewell to the staff officer who had brought 
 him from the ship and went to see ]\Ir. Pepson. A 
 week later he set off on his hazardous journey to 
 Kumasi, to the headquarters of the most ferocious 
 monarch known to Englishmen, to the spot where 
 everything was fetish, where thousands of slaves were 
 butchered in the year, and where the sight of a white 
 man was sufficient to rouse all the inhabitants to a con- 
 dition bordering on insanity. 
 
 "Recollect, my dear lad," said Mr. Pepson, as he 
 bade his young friend good-bye, "that King Koffee is 
 
On Special Service 237 
 
 a wild beast, and that it would be better for you and 
 your men to die fig-hting. or to shoot one another, 
 rather than fall into his hands. Good-bye, and good 
 luck." 
 
 He turned away to hide a tear, this strong man who 
 so seldom showed his feelings. But he was deeply at- 
 tached to Dick, and would gladly have kept him. 
 However, this was duty, duty to his country, and he 
 was forced to let him go. Then he turned and watched 
 as the surf-boat took our hero out to his launch. There 
 was the scream of a whistle, the waving of many hands, 
 and Dick was off — perhaps never to return again. 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 A Brush with the Enemy 
 
 "We will look into Elmina on the way over to the 
 Pra," said Dick, as the launch steamed along the coast, 
 keeping just outside the rollers. "I have news of 
 something, and want to inspect. Later we can go up 
 the Pra and get this other information." 
 
 He was sitting on the roof of the tiny cabin, survey- 
 ing the coast with a critical eye, while every now and 
 again he turned his gaze to his crew with a feeling 
 of satisfaction. For this was some reward for the 
 disappointment occasioned by his illness. He was 
 again on the move, with the very same crew, and in 
 addition there was with him young Emmett, a youth 
 some few months older than himself, tall and straight, 
 and now entirely recovered from the sickness which 
 had prostrated him and sent him to the hospital ship 
 Siuioon. 
 
 Jack Emmett was just the sort of fellow to take our 
 hero's fancy, for he was a genial, high-spirited lad, 
 fond of a joke, and still keener on seeing some fun 
 with the enemy. So far he had done nothing more 
 than inspect the Gold Coast from the sea, for he had 
 
 238 
 
A Brush with the Encmv 239 
 
 fallen ill on the voyage out. But he was eager to meet 
 the enemy, and more than that. Dick found that he 
 took a great interest in the coming operations, intel- 
 ligently following the movements and preparations on 
 our side. More than all. he had a huge admiration for 
 his young leader, who had in so few weeks managed 
 to meet with so much adventure. 
 
 "What is this news?" demanded Jack, for up till 
 now Dick had kept his counsel to himself. "It is new 
 to hear that we are to make into Elmina. Are there 
 any Ashantis there?" 
 
 "You will hear," was the answer. "This I can tell 
 you, that Sir Garnet has had a big palaver since he 
 reached the coast, and called in all the kings of the 
 tribes under British protection. Some came in all 
 state, with umbrellas and tom-toms, and with the ac- 
 companiment of rattling bones and war-drums. Others 
 stayed away, and sent defiant answers. Those fellows 
 live in the neighl)ourhood of Elmina. and it struck me, 
 when I heard the tale, that they would hardly have 
 dared to act as they have done had there not been some 
 sort of encouragement." 
 
 "I follow the argument. Then you think ?" 
 
 "That the Ashantis are somewhere in the neighbour- 
 hood. Yes." responded Dick. "Let's talk to John- 
 nie." 
 
 He sang out for the native stoker, who relinquished 
 his firing shovel, and came trotting along the miniature 
 deck, still clad in his tattered garments, and still with 
 the clay pipe of which he was so fond, gripped between 
 his teeth. But there was a little difference. Johnnie 
 had added dignity. His was a proud mien, and when- 
 
240 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 ever he stopped to speak to a white man or even a 
 black nowadays he always turned his right cheek to 
 the stranger, for there was the scar, livid and red 
 against his dusky skin, an honourable scar which told 
 of fighting, of a battle in which his master had gained 
 a name, and he, Johnnie the stoker, a proportion of the 
 glory. 
 
 "Massa call," he said, raising his hand to his bat- 
 tered cap after the custom of the seamen. "Johnnie 
 here. What yo want?" 
 
 "Repeat this tale of Elmina," said Dick, quietly. 
 "Tell this officer what you told me." 
 
 Johnnie greeted the youth beside his master in simi- 
 lar fashion, with an elaborate salute, and treated him 
 to a critical survey. 
 
 "Johnnie know little ting or two," he began, with 
 a knowing smile. "He 'tend dat he no good, like same 
 as many at de coast. He say, 'Hate white men, and 
 wish Ashanti here.' Johnnie know dere heaps of spies 
 at de Castle, and he listen and open um ear. Soon 
 fellow come and ask him if he find out what going to 
 happen. Me say glad, if plenty gold dust. Den dis 
 fellow he tell Johnnie dat de Ashanti lie in de bush 
 along close to de coast, ready to jump on de white man. 
 Ask me to letum know when time come for de rush. 
 Dat all I know. Johnnie take de dust and perhaps get 
 more later." 
 
 He looked at the two sprawling on the roof of the 
 cabin with a cunning smile, in which they joined. For, 
 after all, though it was not precisely honest, this action 
 of the stoker's, yet all was fair in love and war, and 
 if one of the agents of the enemy came to one of the 
 
A Brush with tlic Enemy 241 
 
 servants of the white men asking for information and 
 ofTering money, was it not in the nature of such a 
 man as Johnnie to keep his information to himself, giv- 
 ing tit-bits of news which were of no importance, while 
 he abstracted information as to the enemy's position, 
 and a reward for himself? 
 
 "And that is all, Johnnie?" demanded Dick. 
 
 "All same as me tell yo. Xoding more." 
 
 "Then you can get back to the engine. Xow, Jack." 
 went on Dick, "supposing it were true that the Ashantis 
 were here, within a few miles of Elmina, and imagined 
 themselves hidden from the English. Wouldn't it be 
 an opportunity to take them by surprise and start the 
 campaign favourably ? There are not many troops at 
 the Coast, I know, but there are marines and blue- 
 jackets aboard, and they should be sufficient." 
 
 "And they could be concentrated here rapidly. Yes ; 
 it would be a golden opportunity, and I see your 
 meaning. Then you will put in at Elmina?" 
 
 "When it is dark," said Dick, "Then we shall not 
 be seen, perhaps. That is why I delayed our de- 
 parture. We are far enough along the coast now, and 
 I propose that we steam out a little and lay to.'' 
 
 The proposal was carried out at once, for they 
 judged that they were now some two hours' steaming 
 from Elmina. and the day was still young. Therefore, 
 it was as well to keep as far out as possible. Accord- 
 ingly, the bows of the launch shot out over the oily sea, 
 which was heaving continuously as it does along this 
 long unbroken African coast, and very soon she lay to, 
 a couple of miles or more from the beach. 
 
 "We'll have the lines out and do a little fishing," 
 
242 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 sang out Dick. "Any one who likes may sleep, save 
 the man on guard. Johnnie, you'll need to bank the 
 fires, for we shall want steam later." 
 
 A canvas awning had been rigged over the deck of 
 the launch, for the heat would otherwise have been 
 almost unbearable. And beneath this the two young 
 officers and their crew stretched themselves at their 
 ease, while each dropped a line overboard, for they had 
 been careful to bring these in case their provisions 
 should run short. 
 
 Some four hours later, just as the day began to 
 draw in, they pulled up their lines and headed for 
 Elmina. It was dark when they arrived off the fort, 
 and they steamed into the river at once, passing beneath 
 the bridge erected by the Dutch. Not a sound was 
 heard aboard. The engines were working dead slow, 
 w^hile a screen of sacks surrounded the funnel, hiding 
 any sparks which might have betrayed the presence of 
 the launch. In the bows stood two of the bluejackets, 
 with long poles in their hands, and presently, as the 
 launch passed beyond the town into the river, they 
 stretched these ahead as far as possible, letting the 
 tips trail in the water. 
 
 "Take her along dead slow," whispered Dick in 
 Johnnie's ear. "There are plenty of sand and mud 
 banks, and we don't want to get stranded. Ah! that 
 must be one." 
 
 Without the slightest warning, the launch came 
 sweetly to a stop, burying her nose in a bank of mud 
 which cropped up in the middle of the river. Even the 
 men who held the poles had not been able to detect the 
 obstruction in time, for their rods simply pierced the 
 
A Brush with the Llncmy 243 
 
 soft material. And now, when they attempted to push 
 the launch off, the same thing happened. 
 
 "All walk aft." saitl Dick. "Xow, Johnnie, reverse 
 the engines, and give her more steam. When I whistle 
 let every man give a jump into the air." 
 
 His orders were given in the lowest tones, and were 
 carried out without confusion, for the British sailor 
 hates fuss and flurry, and can be relied on to act well 
 and discreetly in an emergency. All gathered aft, and 
 as Dick whistled they jumped into the air, shaking the 
 launch as they came to the deck again. But still she 
 clung to her cradle of mud. 
 
 "Then some of us must get overboard. What is 
 the depth ?" asked Dick. 
 
 In the silence he could hear the two bluejackets 
 grope for their poles, and plunge them into the water. 
 Then one of them came to his side. 
 
 "About two feet of water, and three of mud," he 
 said. "If we was to go over the side, we couldn't 
 swim, and the mud would hold us. What about put- 
 ting something at the end of the poles, sir? Some- 
 thing that wouldn't sink so easily. How'd a couple 
 of kegs do?" 
 
 Dick thought for a moment. Then he went to the 
 tiny cabin, and unmasking a lamp, peered closely at 
 the stores. Thanks to the generosity of those in 
 charge of the commissariat, a liberal supply of pro- 
 visions of a mixed character had been handed over to 
 the expedition, and amongst these stores were some 
 kegs of biscuits. Our hero gave vent to a whistle. 
 
 "Bring the two poles down here," he said, as a head 
 was thrust into the cabin. "And let all stand round. 
 
244 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 so as to hide the hght should it show. Now, my lad, 
 rip off the top of this keg." 
 
 One of the sailors had his cutlass out in a moment, 
 and soon contrived to get the lids off two of the kegs, 
 and the contents were poured into an empty provision 
 box. 
 
 "Now, how are we to make them fast?" asked Dick. 
 "You ought to know better than I." 
 
 He looked at the sailors and waited their reply, while 
 they stared at the kegs, uncertain how to act, ifor it is 
 no easy matter to attach an article of this kind to the 
 end of a pole. 
 
 "With a bit of rope and a good fire I'd do it in half 
 an hour," said one of the men at length. "Yer see, 
 by rights, sir, we ought to have a step at the bottom of 
 the keg, and lash the end of a pole down on to it. But 
 yer can't do that 'cause a step needs hammerin', and 
 that 'ud warn the enemy if he's hereabouts. But 
 we've a fire, and a stoking bar, and that 'ud make a fine 
 drill. With a hole through the centre of the lid and 
 the bottom, we could push the pole through, and take a 
 turn of the rope round above and below the keg. That 
 would keep all in place and ship-shape." 
 
 "Then we'll get to the engine," said Dick, promptly. 
 "Bring the kegs and poles while I douse the light. 
 Now, you men," he went on, as he came out on the 
 deck, "stand round the engine well while we finish the 
 job. Johnnie, get that bar heated." 
 
 Some twenty minutes later the four holes had been 
 drilled, and the poles pushed through, and secured with 
 rope. Then the two sailors took their station on the 
 bows, while the remainder went aft. The propeller 
 
A Brush with the Mneiny 245 
 
 was reversed at full speed, while the kegs were placed 
 against the mud bank, and the men holding the poles 
 pushed with all their strength. Dick gave a low whis- 
 tle, the men jumped, and this time with as gentle a 
 motion as when she grounded, the launch left the bank 
 and floated in the open water. Two hours later the 
 boat was brought to a rest some miles up the river, and 
 was pulled beneath an overhanging tree, where she lay 
 till morning dawned. 
 
 "We have a fine place from which to keep watch, 
 and we'll see whether we cannot make a catch." said 
 Dick, as he and Jack Emmett sat down to breakfast. 
 "How do you like the work. Jack?" 
 
 "It's fine." was the answer. "This is what I have 
 been waiting for. And the best part of it all is that 
 we are our own masters, and can therefore enjoy all 
 the more fun. Supposing an army came along, as 
 happened in your case?" 
 
 "We should lie hidden; if they found us we should 
 fight. No more running away for me, particularly 
 when I have a crew like this. Hullo! what's the re- 
 port?" 
 
 One of the sailors had ascended the branches of the 
 tree, from which post he could keep a watch on the 
 river, and at this moment he whistled. Then they saw 
 him come swarming down to drop from a height of 
 fully fifteen feet on to the deck of the launch. He 
 alighted as easily as a cat and came aft to his com- 
 mander. 
 
 "Beg pardon, sir." he said, as he saluted, "but 
 there's a lx)at full of niggers a-coming down-stream, 
 and thev're armed." 
 
246 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 Dick was up in a moment, and taking care to move 
 with the utmost caution he pushed the leaves aside and 
 looked out. The report was accurate, for coming 
 down-stream was a large native boat, with some ten 
 men aboard, on whose shoulders muskets were slung. 
 A glance showed him that some at least were Ashantis, 
 while the others he was not sure about. 
 
 "They must be captured," he said with decision. 
 "We will wait till they are quite close, and will rush 
 out at them. If they fire, four of you give them a 
 volley. That will be sufficient, for we want to make a 
 capture." 
 
 It was an exciting moment for the men of the ex- 
 pedition. Not that they had anything to fear from 
 the men aboard the native boat. But they were now 
 well above Elmina, and who could say whether the 
 enemy w^ere not all round them ? In any case they 
 must be near at hand, so that the attack might very 
 well be followed by a general onslaught on the part of 
 the Ashantis. 
 
 Dick busied himself with telling off the men to their 
 stations, while he bade Jack Emmett take the tiller and 
 steer the launch. Presently the native boat drew 
 opposite their hiding-place, and at once the boughs 
 were parted and the launch shot out into the river. 
 There was a shout from the enemy, and half a dozen 
 dropped their paddles and opened a hot fire, their 
 slugs whistling over the launch. 
 
 "That proves that they are enemies," said Dick, in 
 tones of satisfaction. "Give them a volley, my lads." 
 
 It was high time to return the fire, for as he spoke 
 another burst of flame had come from the boat, and 
 
A Brush with the Enemy 247 
 
 three of the sailors were struck by the skig-s. Not that 
 that made much difference, for the hardy fellows did 
 little more than grunt. There was a quick answering 
 flash, and instantly four of the natives threw up their 
 arms and toppled overboard. 
 
 "Put us at her hard !" shouted Dick, waving to Jack. 
 "Now swing her round and bring us alongside. Keep 
 under cover if you can. my lads, and give them a vol- 
 ley over their heads." 
 
 The whole manoeuvre scarcely t(X)k five minutes. In 
 less time than it takes to tell, the launch had swung out 
 into the stream, had headed for the enemy, and finally 
 had run alongside, a second volley from the rifles of 
 the seamen ripping the air over the heads of the na- 
 tives. And that was sufficient. Within a second they 
 had thrown down their amis and had grovelled on the 
 floor of the boat. 
 
 "Get them all aboard here and lash their arms and 
 legs," sang out Dick. "That's the way. Smartly does 
 it. Now dash a hole in their boat and let her sink. 
 Turn the launch's head to the sea. Jack, and let us be 
 going. Ah, there come the bullets." 
 
 There could be no doubt that there were more ene- 
 mies at hand, and that the firing had attracted their 
 attention, for hardly had three of the bluejackets 
 tumbled aboard the native craft, while their comrades 
 held the two ix)ats together, when a gim bellowed fn-im 
 the low-lying forest on the opposite shore, and a bullet 
 crashed into the stern of the launch. 
 
 "Jest look hvely. me lad, will yer?" sang out one 
 of the salts, as he gripped the shoulder of one of the 
 grovelling enemy. "That's the sort. Yer don't want 
 
248 With Wolseley to KumasI 
 
 to look at me as if I was about to eat yer, but jest hop 
 aboard the launch." 
 
 He used the utmost politeness, while his grip closed 
 about the native like a vise, and with such force that 
 the wretch gave vent to a cry of terror. Then he was 
 lifted bodily aboard the launch, where in spite of the 
 slugs and bullets which were now falling about her, 
 he and his companions were carefully and scientifically 
 secured, Jack Tar not deigning to hasten because the 
 enemy happened to be near at hand. Then one of the 
 salts borrowed the stoking shovel from Johnnie, and 
 in less than a minute the native boat had disappeared 
 beneath the water. Meanwhile the bush on one side 
 of the river echoed to the shouts of the enemy, and the 
 fire which had at first been spasmodic, now became 
 furious, till the surface of the river was lashed with 
 bullets and slugs. 
 
 "Lie down, men, and return their fire," sang out 
 Dick. "Jack, sink into that well, and steer us to the 
 far side. I fancy we shall be out of range there, and 
 I have seen none of the enemy. We will make for the 
 sea now, for we have got all that we want ; at least, we 
 have obtained nearly all. The rest I shall hope to have 
 soon. That's the way, my lads, pepper them well." 
 
 He took a rifle and lay down beside the men, firing 
 at the flashes wliich spurted from the bush. And 
 thanks to their superior weapons, and the skill of the 
 sailors, the shots of the enemy gradually subsided, 
 bursting out here and there afresh as they were silenced 
 in one particular spot. Then Dick whistled to his men 
 to cease fire. 
 
 "We do not wish to kill more of them," he said, 
 
A Brush with the Enemy 249 
 
 "and they cannot hurt us now. Let each of you stand 
 beside one of the prisoners, and if you can impress him 
 with your fierceness without really harming him, all 
 the better." 
 
 There was a knowing grin on the faces of the men 
 as they went to carry out their leader's commands ; for 
 they were beginning to grasp his meaning. And Dick, 
 had he not been so serious, could have roared with 
 laughter at the grimaces of the sailors, for they car- 
 ried out his wishes to the letter till the captives writhed 
 with terror. Meanwhile the launch, ignoring the con- 
 tinued fire of the enemy, kept to the far side of the 
 river and steamed down to Elmina. Soon she passed 
 beneath the bridge, breasted the breakers, and was at 
 sea again, a few gashes on her planks, and a handker- 
 chief or two about the arms of the sailors alone show- 
 ing that she had been in action ; those, and the captives 
 lying upon her deck. 
 
 "Xow, Jack, we will suppose that you can speak and 
 understand the Ashanti tongue as well as I can." said 
 Dick, coolly, as he came aft to the well and sat down 
 beside his friend. "We are about to interrogate the 
 prisoners, and you will pass sentence upon them. At 
 least, I shall say that you are here for that purpose, 
 and you must act the part by looking ven,- severe. W'e 
 will have them up one by one, and abstract all their 
 information. Two of the bluejackets can stand guard 
 over each prisoner as he is brought, while the others 
 will \ye kept out of hearing in the bows. Now, recol- 
 lect, to get information, we must terrorize these men. 
 I don't like to do so, but natives understand no other 
 rpeans of persuasion. If you offer gold they will lie 
 
250 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 and cheat you. Now, bring up the first of the pris- 
 oners." 
 
 It was an informal trial which was held at the stern 
 of the launch and would have caused the laughter of 
 any other group of men. But Dick and his command 
 were bent on obtaining information, and if they could 
 prove the proximity of the Ashantis, they would be 
 doing an incalculable benefit to the commander of the 
 British forces, for thereby he might be enabled to make 
 a surprise attack, and gain a victory, a matter of great 
 importance at this stage of the proceedings. And so, 
 escorted by two of the bluejackets, with their rifles 
 loaded, one of the captives was brought aft and halted 
 just in front of our hero. He was a sturdy fellow, and 
 now that two hours had passed since his capture his 
 fears were beginning to subside. He looked closely at 
 the white officers whom he confronted, noted their 
 youth and at once gained further confidence. His 
 head went up, he put on a defiant look and would have 
 squatted there on the deck had it not been for the 
 sailors. 
 
 "None of yer larks, me son," said one of them, giv- 
 ing the man a hitch which shot him to his feet. "Stand 
 steady where you're put, or " 
 
 There was a menace in the sailor's looks, and the 
 rifle and cutlass with which he was armed supported 
 the threat. The native stood upright, looking perhaps 
 a little disconcerted. 
 
 "Tell me how long you have been near Elmina, and 
 how many of your comrades are there?" asked Dick, in 
 the x\shanti tongue. 
 
 Astonishment was written on the man's face, and 
 
A Brush with the Enemy 251 
 
 Dick noticed an expression of dismay. But it disap- 
 peared at once and the answer came glibly. 
 
 "I have Ijeen there a week. My comrades, all that 
 remain, lie here on this deck. We were bringing our 
 goods to Elmina." 
 
 "That is a lie," said Dick quietly, watching the man 
 closely as he spoke. "You are an Ashanti. That I 
 know for certain. Your comrades fired at us from the 
 shore, and you were not carrying goods. Guns and 
 swords formed your only cargo. Now. listen. You 
 have news to give, and I require it. If you give it, 
 you will be unharmed: if you lie. you will be killed. 
 I will count my fingers over four times, and if at the 
 end you have not spoken the truth you will be shot. 
 That is the decision of my friend who sits beside me." 
 
 At once he began to count, while the native watched 
 him, at first with looks of incredulity, and then with an 
 expression of concern. ]\Ieanwhile there was tense 
 silence amongst the group, save for the muttered words 
 coming from Dick. Tie was nearing the end of his 
 count, and as if to emphasize the fact, and at a nod 
 from our hero, one of the sailors pulled back the lock 
 of his rifie with a click. It was an ugly and an omi- 
 nous sound, and in an instant it had the desired effect. 
 
 "I will speak, white chief," said the prisoner, hastily. 
 "It is true that my comrades are up the river. How 
 many I do not know, but there is an army. We have 
 l:)een there for weeks, and are starving. There is 
 nothing more to tell." 
 
 Dick nodded curtly. "Take him into the cabin and 
 see that he does not communicate with the others," he 
 said. "Now, let us have another prisoner." 
 
252 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 One by one the Ashanti prisoners were brought to 
 the stern of the launch and interrogated, and the story 
 told by all was precisely the same. The Ashantis were 
 in force in the jungle lying within a few miles of El- 
 mina and between that part and the river Pra. They 
 had fraternized with the Elminas and other natives, 
 nominally under our protection, and for the most part 
 they were almost starving. They were awaiting the 
 moment when they might attack the white men. There 
 could be no doubt about the truth of their tale, for they 
 had each said the same, and had had no time to concoct 
 a story. 
 
 "We shall be welcome home again," said Dick, with 
 a smile, as he rose from the well. "It is true that we 
 have not yet gained information of the country beyond 
 the Prahsu, but then there is plenty o£ time, for the 
 troops whO' are to come out will not be here for some 
 six weeks, and there are insufficient here now to make 
 the march to Kumasi. But there may be enough men 
 for this expedition to Elmina. That will, of course, 
 rest with Sir Garnet, but they say he is a dashing 
 leader, and I fancy he will strike a blow. Full steam, 
 Johnnie. The sooner we are back the better." 
 
 Five hours later our hero stood hat in hand in the 
 office at Government House, facing the chief of Sir 
 Garnet's staff. 
 
 "This is very important news which you bring," said 
 the officer, seriously. "Have you told any one what 
 you have learned?" 
 
 He looked anxiously at Dick and waited for his 
 reply, giving expression to an exclamation of relief 
 when he heard the answer. 
 
A Brush with the Enemy 253 
 
 "Then you and Mr. Emniett are the only two who 
 know. Your native stoker has suspicions, but you say 
 that he is trustworthy. 1 fancy we may be able to 
 hoodwink these natives." 
 
 An hour later, when Dick retired to Mr. Pepson's 
 house, the details of an expedition had been roughly 
 drafted, and on the following morning orders were 
 published. But those in authority knew that they had 
 cmining foes to deal with, and that spies al)ounded 
 even in Cape Coast Castle. And so when those who 
 ■were to take part in the attack embarked, it was with 
 the belief that they were to sail to a different part of 
 the country altogether, and that Elmina and its neigh- 
 bourhood was not even under consideration. It was 
 with a light heart that Dick steamed back to Elmina, 
 and took his station near the fort, prepared to operate 
 with the expedition andattack the enemy. 
 
 "You will listen for our bugle calls, and direct your 
 fire accordingly," the Chief of the Staff had warned 
 him. "Otherwise we may be firing into one another. 
 Keep the men well in hand, for the bush will be dense. 
 But there, I am forgetting that you have had experi- 
 ence already. Hold our right flank and punish them 
 severely." 
 
 Early on the following morning, when the marines 
 and bluejackets had disembarked at Elmina, and the 
 native troops had joined them on the beach, Dick and 
 his men steamed up the river, and having gained a 
 point some miles higher up, stood in to the bank and 
 landed, leaving two men in charge of the launch. 
 
 "Lie off at anchor, and keep a sharp watch." he 
 commanded. "Now, my lads, we will hunt in couples. 
 
2 54 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 and remember to use your whistles, for it is easy to 
 get lost here. Follow me and be sure you go warily." 
 They turned their backs on the water, and plunged 
 into the bush, their eyes endeavouring to pierce the 
 dense undergrowth, while their ears were forever alert 
 to detect the proximity of the enemy. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 Bluejackets, Charge! 
 
 "Halt!" Dick Stapleton lifted his hand above his 
 head, and crouched low in the jungle, while the sailors 
 who followed him in single file, slashing a path 
 through the dense undergrowth, copied his example. 
 "H-h-hush ! Did you hear ? There it is again !" 
 
 Dick whispered in Jack Emmett's ear, and Jack, to 
 whom bush work was a novelty, stared back at his 
 friend in amazement. For he had seen nothing, and 
 there had been no sound to arouse his suspicion. In- 
 deed, all about the little party looked quiet and peace- 
 ful. Overhead towered enormous cotton trees, run- 
 ning to the height of two hundred and fifty feet, while 
 beneath their overspreading branches were yams and 
 plantain trees, huge ferns and every variety of forest 
 growth, many of these latter being giants in themselves, 
 but dw^arfed by the ponderous girth and height of the 
 cotton trees. At the feet of these wonders of the 
 African forest clustered vines and trailing creepers. 
 Orchids and lovely lichens clung to the boughs, while 
 huge masses of bufT, violet, pink and brilliant yellow 
 
 255 
 
256 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 convolvuli hnng suspended in festoons, brightening the 
 gloom which pervaded this underworld of the jungle. 
 Not a native could be seen. Indeed, the bush was so 
 dense that Dick and his party could not see beyond a 
 few feet, and every yard they advanced had to be won 
 by diligent cutting with sword or cutlass. Vet our hero 
 was suspicious. 
 
 "There, listen!" he said again, in a low whisper. 
 "Listen to the birds." 
 
 "I hear them. But what of that? There are heaps 
 in these woods, no doubt," was Jack's reply. "That 
 does not say that the enemy are near. Wait, though. 
 That was a cheer. Our men must be somewhere in 
 the neighbourhood." 
 
 At that moment a distant cheer had come to their 
 ears through the barrier of boughs, and at the sound 
 both sat up suddenly and listened. Then Dick began 
 to crawl forward again. 
 
 "We can go on," he said quietly. "The calls of the 
 birds were not real, of that I feel sure. They were 
 made by the enemy, purposely to let each man know 
 that he was near his fellows. It's a good idea. Halt 
 again!" 
 
 This time he beckoned the bluejackets to come close 
 up to him, and for a little while they were clustered 
 together at the foot of a cotton tree. 
 
 "We are getting near the enemy," said Dick, "and 
 if we are rushed it will be very easy to get separated. 
 We will keep in couples, and no man is to be more 
 than three or four feet from his comrade. Once we 
 are in touch with the enemy we will whistle, so as to 
 tell each other where we are. Then there will be no 
 
Bluejackets, Charge! 257 
 
 getting lost, and we shall not run the danger of firing 
 at one another. Remember, before pulling a trigger, 
 give a whistle and wait a moment." 
 
 Once more he turned his face to the interior of the 
 jungle and crept on, and presently the call of birds was 
 again heard. Then he redoubled his caution, cutting 
 creepers from his path as silently as possible, and re- 
 moving all broken twigs from the ground. Half an 
 hour later he and his men came to a sudden halt, for 
 the darkness which had surrounded them up to this 
 suddenly lightened, while as if to increase their diffi- 
 culties there came the sound of more cheers, the 
 answering yell of hundreds of natives, and then a suc- 
 cession of sharp explosions which shook the leaves. 
 A minute later a volley of slugs screeched overhead, 
 stripping the boughs, and covering the little party with 
 the debris. 
 
 "Forward!" shouted Dick, "and let the men come 
 up on either side of me. We will get to this clearing 
 and turn the enemy out." 
 
 There was no time to be lost, for it was now evident 
 that the approach of his party had been heard by the 
 enemy, while the sudden lifting of the gloom showed 
 that there was a clear space in the forest some little 
 way ahead, and from this no doubt the enemy were 
 firing. Dick lost no time therefore in pushing for- 
 ward. Bent double he ran between the creepers, jump- 
 ing over fallen Iwughs, and slashing at every obstruc- 
 tion which threatened to arrest his progress. Very 
 soon he came to the edge of the forest. Meanwhile 
 the sailors were not behindhand. They gave vent to 
 a cheer, just to show their spirit, and then, spreading 
 
258 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 by couples to either side, they scrambled forward, 
 wriggling their way through the bush. 
 
 "Lie flat!" shouted Dick, as they got into position, 
 and a second volley of slugs flew overhead. "Now, 
 you can see where they are. Pick them off, my lads. 
 Fire about a foot below the flashes and about the same 
 or a little less to the right. That should get them." 
 
 At his order the men threw themselves on their 
 faces, and wriggling forward a few inches till they 
 could obtain a clear glimpse of the open space ahead, 
 opened a heavy and well-directed fire at the flashes and 
 puffs of smoke which burst from a hundred points on 
 the opposite side of the clearing. There the jungle 
 again commenced, though it was not so dense, and 
 many paths could be seen cutting their way through it. 
 Beyond, some distance away, the glare of a big fire 
 could be detected, while the smoke hung over the sum- 
 mit of the forest trees. 
 
 "Our men at work," Dick shouted to his companion, 
 "and these fellows who are firing at us are between us 
 and our friends. We must try to drive them away 
 and effect a junction." 
 
 But if that was his object, it was not so easy to ac- 
 complish, for the enemy were in full force on the far 
 side of the narrow clearing, and had he and his party 
 but known it, the path taken by the British troops led 
 rather far to the left of the river, while so deceptive 
 was the forest that the glare and the smoke were 
 actually much more distant than they appeared. Sir 
 Garnet had with him a few bluejackets, with a seven- 
 pounder gun and a rocket trough, twenty Royal Marine 
 Artillery, 129 Royal Marines, 205 of the West India 
 
Bluejackets, Charge! 259 
 
 Regiment. 126 Houssas, a force enlisted in Central 
 Africa, a few natives and many bearers enlisted on the 
 coast. It was this force which Dick and his comrades 
 heard. They had come upon the village of Essaman, 
 and finding it vacant had set it on fire, exploding some 
 kegs of powder which the enemy had left, and finding 
 a number of muskets and war-drums, all evidence of 
 the truth of the report which had been brought by our 
 hero to headquarters. Indeed, there was little doubt 
 that the enemy were in force in the neighlx)urhood, 
 though so far none on our side had seen a single man. 
 All that Dick could perceive was the flash of gims, and 
 the falling of numerous leaves and twigs cut down by 
 the slugs which hailed overhead. Suddenly another 
 sound attracted his attention, and his expression 
 changed to one of concern. 
 
 "Our fellows are going still farther away, and the 
 enemy are closing in on us," he said hastily. "There 
 is a man, and, look, others are appearing. They are 
 going to try a rush. We will warn the men. Listen, 
 my lads," he shouted, "the Ashantis look as if they 
 would try a charge, and we must stop it. If they reach 
 this side of the clearing they will creep into the jungle 
 and shoot us down easily. Keep on firing till I shout, 
 then charge them as they come." 
 
 Kneeling behind a tree he kept a keen watch upon 
 the opp<')site side, and now that the enemy were expos- 
 ing themselves, his bullets seldom failed to tell. As 
 for the Jack Tars, they seemed to enjoy the work, for 
 they lay on their faces, calmly ignoring the hail of 
 slugs overhead, and returned the fire of the enemy with 
 wonderful steadiness. At Dick's words, too, each eased 
 
2 6o With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 his cutlass in its sheath, and just glanced ahead to 
 make sure that there was nothing to keep him from 
 reaching the open. Nor was it long before the neces- 
 sity for action on their part was called for. The firing 
 from the opposite side became even fiercer, and by 
 now Dick and the majority of his men had been hit; 
 though, thanks to the wide interval existing between 
 the combatants, few of the missiles penetrated. Then 
 there came the beat of a war-drum, a dull, reverber- 
 ating sound which seemed to echo through the forest, 
 while Dick caught fleeting glimpses of a group of the 
 enemy, passing amidst the trees, and exhorting their 
 comrades. 
 
 "Get ready, my lads," he sang out, "and don't for- 
 get, give them a couple of volleys and more as they 
 run. When I shout, form up outside and charge. 
 Jack, just watch those beggars and when they cross 
 one of the paths let us fire together." 
 
 They lay behind two plantain trees which happened 
 to be close together, and followed the movements of 
 the group of Ashanti ofiicers whom they had seen on 
 the opposite side of the clearing. Within a few seconds 
 they saw them emerge into one of the numerous roads 
 cut through the forest. Both fired together, and gave 
 a shout as they saw one of the enemy, a big man, 
 gaudily dressed and feathered, fall to the ground. A 
 moment later they were throwing cartridges into their 
 rifies as rapidly as was possible, and were emptying 
 their weapons at a speed which showed what need there 
 was for action. For hardly had the tall leader on the 
 far side given a shriek and fallen, when the deep boom 
 of the war-drum became deafening, as jf the man who 
 
Bluejackets, charge! 261 
 
 wielded the stick were beatiiii^ out his indigniatiun and 
 hatred. Shouts of fury filled the air. and as if the 
 drum were the signal, some two hundred of the dusky 
 enemy started from the trees and commenced to rush 
 across the clearing. \'ery fierce and forbidding they 
 looked as they came, for they had discarded their mus- 
 kets, or had slung them behind their shoulders, and now 
 they were armed with Ashanti swords, or with for- 
 midable-looking knives. 
 
 "Steady, men!" shouted Dick, at once. "We have 
 plenty of time to knock a few over. Fire as fast as 
 you can and wait for the signal." 
 
 The forest resounded to the crack of the rifles, and 
 to the shouts of the natives. Not a sound came from 
 the bluejackets save that given out from their weapons. 
 They maintained a grim silence, and stretched there on 
 their faces, kept up a withering fire, directing their 
 shots with marvellous coolness. But there was a stern, 
 ugly glint in their eyes, and the hands that wielded the 
 rifles gripped very tightly. Then Dick gave a shout, 
 and in a moment all were on their feet. 
 
 "Drop your rifles," he commanded. "Now line up. 
 My men, we are not to be frightened by a lot of bellow- 
 ing natives." 
 
 "Afraid. Not us!" came the reply from one of the 
 salts. "Jest fancy hooking it because of these fellers. 
 We'll get aboard and sink 'em, Iwys." 
 
 There was a roar as the men heard the words, while 
 the swish of cutlasses l^eing drawn from their scal>- 
 bards could be heard. Then Dick gave another shout, 
 and placing himself beside Jack Emmett at the head 
 of the little party he started forward, his teeth clenched, 
 
262 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 and his mind made up to beat back this attack and con- 
 quer. 
 
 "Charge!" he bellowed. ''Charge into the middle 
 of them." 
 
 There was now no longer need for silence, and the 
 cheer which the men gave showed that their spirit was 
 not lacking. Closely following their young leaders 
 they raced forward in a compact body, heading for the 
 very centre of the enemy. And it was clear at once 
 that their sudden appearance and their warlike inten- 
 tions gave food for thought to the enemy. The mad 
 rush of the Ashantis came to a sudden end, the mass 
 halting to stare at these few enemies. A few turned 
 tail immediately and fled, while some of the natives 
 hung in the background, uncertain how to act. Then 
 one of their number gave a shout and they came on 
 again, but this time with less determination. A few 
 seconds later the combatants met, the sailors throwing 
 themselves upon the Ashantis with deafening cheers, 
 cutting and slashing at them fiercely, while one of 
 them, happening to miss his aim, and to strike the 
 ground wnth his w^eapon, whereby it was jerked from 
 his hand, took to his fists in true nautical style, and 
 struck right and left amongst the enemy. Still, it was 
 a critical moment for Dick and his party, and only 
 their dash and bravery saved them. The contest hung 
 in the balance for a minute or more, while the natives 
 stabbed desperately at the sailors, some of them 
 doubling up and attempting to dash in below the cut- 
 lass. But the result was always the same. There was 
 a thud, and the weapon fell with unerring aim, stretch- 
 ing the man on the ground. Or if that was not the 
 
Bluejackets, Charge! 263 
 
 case, Jack's knee woukl rise of a sudden, and the na- 
 tive would receive a blow on the head which stunned 
 him instantly. Amidst all the clamour came the 
 sharp crack of the revolvers held by the two young 
 leaders. 
 
 "Forward !" shouted Dick. ''Give a cheer, and drive 
 them back." 
 
 Grandly did the men support him. Though they 
 had been fighting their hardest before, striving to ar- 
 rest the nisli of the enemy, now they charged into their 
 broken ranks, belabouring them with their cutlasses, 
 striking out with their fists, and making up for their 
 smallness in numbers by sheer bravery and dash. And 
 in a minute they had gained their object. Many of 
 the enemy had already fallen, and now, of a sudden, 
 the remainder turned tail and fled, leaving the British 
 masters of the situation. 
 
 "Back for the rifles, some of you," cried Dick. "The 
 remainder run forward and occupy the enemy's posi- 
 tion. Quick, or they will bowl us over with their 
 slugs." 
 
 The warning came only just in time, for those of 
 the enemy who had fled at the first sight of the sailors 
 had taken cover on the fringe of the forest, in the posi- 
 tion which they had occupied a few minutes before; 
 and no sooner had their comrades turned and com- 
 menced to retreat than these men opened a scattered 
 fire, regardless of the risk they ran of hitting their 
 friends. But Dick and his men never paused. While 
 four of them ran back to gather the rifles, the remain- 
 der followed close on the heels of the enemy, and hardly 
 had the firing opened, and the war-drum commenced 
 
264 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 its boom again, when they were at the edge of the 
 forest and close upon the Ashantis wlio kirked there. 
 For some two minutes there was another hand-to-hand 
 contest, for these men were caught in their lairs, and, 
 hindered from gaining one of the numerous paths by 
 the denseness of the forest, were forced to turn and 
 fight. However, the sailors made short work of them, 
 and very soon were lying amidst the trees again, 
 breathing heavily after their exertions. 
 
 Meanwhile the troops in other quarters had been 
 engaged with the enemy, and had driA-en them before 
 them. No sooner had Essaman been given to the 
 flames than the whole line advanced over more or less 
 open country. On our left was a grassy plateau, with 
 a thick forest about three hundred yards away, while 
 directly in front the ground fell and was covered with 
 bush growing breast high. Towards this the Houssas 
 and West Indian regiment advanced, the men shouting 
 and filling the air with discordant yells, while they 
 blazed away at the bush, at the sky, anywhere in fact, 
 and without any definite object. They were entirely 
 out of hand, as some native troops are apt to get, and 
 at this moment they were as dangerous to their own 
 side as to the enemy. However, by dint of much 
 energy and shouting the officers managed to get them 
 in hand again and enforce some fire discipline. Then, 
 as they advanced through the bush, the bluejackets 
 and the Marine Artillery took the wood on the left 
 in hand, and the steel gun opened upon the lurking 
 enemy. The rockets were also brought to bear upon 
 them, and very soon the place was clear, a few wounded 
 Ashantis being discovered as we advanced. But still 
 
Bluejackets, Charge! 265 
 
 our men were far from Dick and his little force, and 
 he had yet mucii difticulty to contend with. 
 
 "l-'irst, let us see to the wounded," he said, as they 
 lay breathing heavily in the forest. "Then we will 
 follow hard upon the tracks of the enemy, in the hope 
 of joining our ccuurades. Now, who is badly hit?" 
 
 There was no response from the tars, though he 
 looked at each one in turn. 
 
 "Then who is hit at all?" he asked. 
 
 "One here, sir," was the reply from one of the lusty 
 fellows. "One of those rascals struck me in the leg 
 with his knife. He's back there, sir, for it hurt and 1 
 give "im what for right away. It's a bit of a scratch 
 and the surgeon will fix it up when we get back. 
 Plenty of time, sir." 
 
 "And I've a slug somewheres about me shoulder," 
 sang out another ; three more acknowledging the same 
 sort of wound, and all making light of it. 
 
 "Then we are lucky, my lads," said Dick, gaily. "A 
 slug is nothing. I have one somewhere about my ribs, 
 and it gave me quite a nasty knock. But I am sure it 
 has not penetrated. Then no one needs to l^e carried, 
 and none are bleeding to death. Good! We will ad- 
 vance. Now, we will go by one of these paths, and 
 we will keep a careful watch in front and rear as well 
 as to either side. Jack, take the advance, please. I 
 will go to the right, for I am more used to the forests. 
 Keep a bright look-out, as these fellows are fond of an 
 ambush." 
 
 Once more they sprang to their feet and went into 
 the forest, but on this occasion they were able to follow 
 a native path. Still, their progress was slow, ior the 
 
2 66 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 men who scrambled through the underwood, seeking 
 for the enemy, could, naturally, not get along as rapidly 
 as those in the open. At length, however, the party 
 emerged from the forest, and came upon the breast- 
 high bush which the Houssas and West Indians were 
 attacking, and from the sounds proceeding from it 
 made sure that the enemy were then rapidly retreating. 
 
 "Then we will help them," said Dick. "Can you 
 men run a little farther?" 
 
 There was an emphatic nod from all as he asked 
 the question. 
 
 "Then we will make for the edge higher up and see 
 what we can do. Double !" 
 
 A few minutes later the firing taking place on their 
 left warned them that they were now level with the 
 lurking enemy, and at once they came to a halt. 
 
 "Take post in the trees on this side," came the order. 
 "Then you will be able to see down into the bush and 
 clear it. Smartly, lads, for there will be people watch- 
 ing us." 
 
 He could not have set the sailors a more enjoyable 
 task. They slung their rifles, and at once set to work 
 to swarm into the trees which grew so plentifully close 
 at hand. Then one gave a lusty shout. 
 
 "There they are, sir," he cried, "and I can see our 
 own troops." 
 
 "Then take care that they don't see you, or you may 
 be shot by mistake. Now, make every bullet tell." 
 
 Perched in their trees the party could look down 
 upon the bush, for it happened that they had halted at 
 a spot which was elevated well above the surrounding 
 country. To this the height to which they had climbed 
 
Bluejackets, Charge! 267 
 
 gave them acklcd advaiUage, so much so tliat they 
 could cUstingiiish the figures of the enemy crawhng 
 anil running amidst the creepers and bracken. Every 
 now and again the Ashantis would halt and fire, run- 
 ning on at once, bent double, and busily engaged in 
 putting another charge in their guns. And all the 
 while the Houssas and West Indians, who were ad- 
 vancing into the bush, exposing themselves to this fire, 
 could not see a single enemy, and were suffering severe- 
 ly in consequence. However. Dick and his bluejackets 
 soon made a difference to their comfort. Their ritle 
 shots broke the silence in that spot, and brought an 
 answering shower of slugs from the enemy. Then, 
 so telling was their fire, that the Ashantis broke and 
 fled to the forest. 
 
 "Bravo ! Well done ! Well done, indeed, blue- 
 jackets ! Who is your officer, please?" 
 
 An officer of some importance, who had been ad- 
 vancing with a small escort along the side of the bush, 
 suddenly rode up. mounted on a mule, and halted l3e- 
 neath the trees occupied by the sailors. Dick glanced 
 down and recognized him as one of Sir Garnet's staff, 
 an officer of great distinction. He scrambled to the 
 ground, rifle in hand, and advancing took off his 
 cap. 
 
 "Dick Stapleton, sir," he said. "Sir Garnet put me 
 in command of a small party, with orders to operate 
 as well as I was able on the right flank. We heard 
 the firing and answered." 
 
 "Mr. Stapleton. Yes; I know all alx)ut you," was 
 the reply, as the officer returned the salute. "I con- 
 gratulate you on the fruits of your discovery. You 
 
2 68 With Wolseley to KumasI 
 
 have given us an excellent chance of punishing the 
 enemy. Whose idea was it to take to the trees?" 
 
 "Mine, sir," admitted Dick. "I am in command." 
 
 "Exactly so, my lad, and it was a smart movement. 
 It is not every commander who would have thought of 
 it. May I ask if you have been operating in the clear- 
 ing on our right? I have just passed through it." 
 
 Dick again admitted the fact, and described in a few 
 words what had happened. 
 
 "Not all quite so simple as you imagine, or as you 
 have stated," was the hearty answer. "You give all 
 the credit to your men. Quite right, sir. Every good 
 officer who has good men to command does that. It is 
 only right and fair. Allow me to say that something 
 is also due to the one in command, upon whom all the 
 responsibility of every movement depends. Do you 
 know the result of that little action ? No. Then I will 
 tell you. The enemy were practising a favourite 
 manoeuvre: they were attempting to close in on our 
 flanks. On the left the sailors and marines put a stop 
 to the movement, while here on the right they would 
 have succeeded had it not been for you. Gallantly 
 done, men ; a very fine piece of work. You accounted 
 for thirty-seven of the enemy, and beat back their flank 
 attack. I shall take good care to mention the matter 
 at headquarters. Now we will advance along this 
 flank, and see if we cannot induce some of the enemy 
 to halt and give us a fight." 
 
 Dick and his men were delighted and glowing with 
 pride. They had worked hard, and fought hard, too, 
 all knew that. But, though they were aware that the 
 force opposed to them was a large one, they did not 
 
Bluejackets, Charge! 269 
 
 imagine that siuli an important movement had been 
 in progress, and that they had been the means of put- 
 ting a summary stop to it. It was therefore with 
 light hearts and spirits raised to the highest point that 
 they continued the advance. Then as the troops swept 
 the enemy before them, and turned along the beach, 
 where they encountered another of the hostile villages 
 and burned it, Dick and his party received an order to 
 halt, and the same officer addressed them. 
 
 "We shall be moving well away from the river 
 now," he said, "and it will hardly be safe for you to 
 advance with us. Return to your launch now, for 
 otherwise you might have to fight ever)' inch of the 
 way." 
 
 Turning about the party retraced their steps past the 
 bush and into the forest. Then they entered the clear- 
 ing, and came upon the results of their impetuous 
 charge. It was not pleasant work to look upon, and 
 they hurried away, and very soon were at the river. 
 A loud halloo brought the launch in close to the bank 
 and all embarked, those who had been left aboard mut- 
 tering deeply and bitterly against the cruel fate which 
 had caused them to miss such an opportunity and such 
 distinction. 
 
 Meanwhile our troops had advanced still farther 
 parallel to the beach, and had fired two other villages. 
 They came upon numerous signs that the Ashantis had 
 been there in force, and in one spot sure evidence of 
 the ferocity of these people. For they discovered the 
 body of an unhappy I'anti captive, suspended feet in 
 air, and with the head slashed from the tnmk. It was 
 a horrible sight, and caused many of the Ashantis to 
 
270 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 lose their lives, for our men were roused to fury, and 
 the musketry fire was so searching, and the rockets so 
 well directed, that numbers of the enemy fell. Finally, 
 fully satisfied with their day's work against the enemy, 
 the troops returned to their quarters. Sir Garnet steam- 
 ing back to Cape Coast Castle. 
 
 Late that night an officer came to Mr. Pepson's in 
 search of Dick Stapleton. For the report of his con- 
 duct had come to headquarters, and he was required to 
 be thanked for his fine services. 
 
 "A dashing young fellow, and a valuable officer," 
 said the Chief of the Staff, with enthusiasm. "I am 
 empowered to offer him a commission in the regular 
 service. A gallant fellow, indeed !" 
 
 But there was no trace of our hero. Indeed, he and 
 his men had not returned. No sooner had the battle 
 ended, as far as they were concerned, than they steamed 
 down the river and along the coast. When night fell 
 they w^ere lying within the mouth of the river leading 
 to the Pra, and as the sun came up on the following 
 morning he looked down upon the rakish little launch 
 surging up the river at full steam, in search of more 
 information and also of a little more adventure. Nor 
 was it long before one of these came to them, for late 
 on the following morning a shout came echoing down 
 the river, while the eyes of all aboard the launch flew 
 to an object moving swiftly towards them. 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 News from Ashanti 
 
 "A boat! a native boat!" shouted Jack, ^vho was 
 keenly alert. "And with only one occupant in it. 
 Look how he's paddling!" 
 
 "For his life, I should say," chimed in Dick. "Ah, 
 there goes a gim ; and see where the bullet splashed. 
 The man who fired must have been hidden in the forest. 
 I don't think the poor beggar stands a chance, unless 
 he steers right across to the far side of the river." 
 
 "And if he did, sir, he'd be had sure enough." sang 
 out one of the sailors. "I can see a boat creeping 
 along in the shadow. Shall we try a shot, sir?" 
 
 For a little while there was no answer. It was diffi- 
 cult to say whether this man — for there was undoubt- 
 edly only one in the flying craft — was an enemy or a 
 friend. If he were an Ashanti, then he was certainly 
 the former. But then were those who pursued him 
 friendly natives, living under the nominal protection 
 of the British, therefore opposed to the Ashantis? 
 
 "He's in trouble, of that there is no doubt." said 
 Dick, suddenly, as the native boat, propelled by the 
 frantic strokes of its single occupant and helped by the 
 
 27» 
 
272 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 current, swept down towards them. "And he has 
 some scores of enemies pursuing him. What if he is 
 carrying news to us ? Perhaps he is coming down with 
 important information. Get your rifles ready, and if 
 that other boat pushes out into the river get her range 
 and wait for the word. Ah, he's seen us. Did you 
 see him wave his paddle?" 
 
 For a moment the unhappy wretch who was com- 
 ing down the stream in such desperate haste hfted his 
 paddle and waved it overhead with an eagerness there 
 was no mistaking. Then he plunged it into the water 
 again, and plied it for his life. That he was threat- 
 ened with death if captured there could be little doubt, 
 for the unseen foes who manned the far bank thrashed 
 the water about him with their slugs, while the silence 
 and peace of the river was disturbed by the loud boom 
 of their muzzle-loaders, and by their excited shouts. 
 In a moment Dick made up his mind to help the fugi- 
 tive, whoever he might be, and at a word the sailors 
 lay down and commenced to fire at the bushes from 
 wdiich came the puffs of smoke. Meanwhile Jack 
 Emmett kept the launch steadily in mid-stream, John- 
 nie supplying her with a small amount of steam, which 
 was sufficient to keep her under way and prevent her 
 being swept back by the current. As for the men who 
 had appeared, lurking in the shadows in their boat, 
 a single shot sufficed to send them back round the bend 
 of the river. 
 
 "Perhaps they have had a taste of our rifles before," 
 thought Dick, as he watched the boat and saw the 
 splash of the shot where it struck the water close beside 
 them. "Anyway, they have retreated fast enough, and 
 
News from Ashanti 273 
 
 I fancy the fire from the shore is dying down. Steady, 
 men! 1 think we have done enough. Our fusillade 
 has stopped their advance and that fellow in the boat 
 is getting out of their range. Look at him!" 
 
 It was indeed a sight to behold, for if the fugitive 
 had shown eagerness before, he now displayed the 
 utmost delight and excitement. He shouted to the 
 launch, and waved his paddle again. Then he turned, 
 and noticing that the slugs which were still fired at 
 him now fell far astern, he laughed, and standing up. 
 shook a defiant fist. Then once more he threw him- 
 self on his knees, and dug his paddle into the stream, 
 sending his light craft ahead till the water was 
 churned into froth at her bows. A few minutes later 
 he came level with the launch, when he threw himself 
 down in the bottom of his boat, and lay there exhausted 
 and out of breath with the struggle. 
 
 "Pull him aboard and let him lie under the awning," 
 said Dick. "Make his boat fast, and then we'll push 
 along up the river. Keep well under cover, for we 
 may have some trouble. That's the way. Jack. Keep 
 in the very centre, for it is so wide here that we need 
 have little' fear should they fire, while we can reach 
 either bank with our weapons." 
 
 Obedient to a nod from his master. Johnnie opened 
 the throttle a little, till the launch attained a good 
 pac Meanwhile the sailors had rapidly transferred the 
 fugitive from his boat to the deck of the steamer, and 
 had made his craft fast right aft. Only then did Dick 
 notice that the native was not an Ashanti, while a half- 
 healed wound on one thigh, now bleeding afresh after 
 his exertions, or perhaps because of a second injur)', 
 
2 74 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 showed that he had Uttle cause to thank those from 
 whom he fled. As for the latter, an occasional shot 
 from the bank told that some were still there, though 
 their slugs were quite harmless at that distance, and, 
 indeed, failed to reach the launch. But even these 
 soon ceased to trouble, particularly when the sailors 
 directed their rifles at the flashes, and sent in a with- 
 ering volley. Of the other boat nothing was seen, 
 and in all probability she had long since been hidden. 
 
 "They must have rounded the bend and then 
 dragged her into the forest," said Dick. "I think we 
 might steam on another mile, and then talk to this fel- 
 low. He's not an Ashanti, Jack." 
 
 "And he's no friend of theirs, either," sang out Jack, 
 from his post at the tiller. "He looks thin and ill- 
 used, and may very well have been one of the wretched 
 beggars you have told me about who are kept prisoners 
 at Kumasi, till some uncle or grandmother of King 
 Koffee's dies, when hundreds of captives are sac- 
 rificed." 
 
 "]\Iore than likely," was our hero's answer, for he 
 had been in this part of the country long enough to 
 have learned all that was known of the Ashantis and 
 their ferocity. He knew that it was said that thousands 
 were slain in cold blood every year in this horrible den 
 called Kumasi, and that the death of a king's son neces- 
 sitated the slaying of at least two thousand wretched 
 girls, children and men, to satiate the hideous Moloch 
 reigning over the fetish house at the capital. And no 
 doubt this poor fellow was one. Dick nodded to him 
 and smiled, and at the sign of friendship the man rose 
 and crept towards him till he crouched at his feet. 
 
News from Ashanti 275 
 
 Then he cHd a strange thing. lie fumbled with his 
 twitching fingers in the masses of liis hair, and finally 
 produced a discoloured piece of linen. 
 
 "For the white chief." he said; "I have risked my 
 life to bring it to you. These Ashanti men would have 
 
 killed me as I came, and if they had captured me " 
 
 The very thought of what might have followed un- 
 nerved the man. who was still suffering from the ef- 
 fects of his desperate efforts to escape. His teeth 
 shook while his limbs trembled. Then he seized our 
 hero by the hand and clung to it as if his life now 
 depended upon doing so. 
 
 "Who are you?" asked Dick, using the Ashanti 
 tongue. "Where do you come from, and why have 
 you l^een pursued?" 
 
 "Look at the letter, chief. See the figures there and 
 I will talk. I am an Assim. I hate these cruel 
 Ashantis." 
 
 The native watched with eager eyes as the strip of 
 discoloured linen was unfolded, and started back as if 
 in terror as the white youth suddenly rose from the roof 
 of the deck cabin to his feet and glared at the strip. 
 It was an important missive, evidently, for he grew 
 red with excitement, and gave a prolonged whistle of 
 astonishment. Then he called in loud tones to Jack 
 to come to his side. There was a tone of profound 
 astonishment and relief in his voice, and he waved the 
 strip of linen above his head. 
 
 "News!" he shouted. "News at last! Look at the 
 
 signature. Poor beggar ! How he must be suffering !" 
 
 ^"Who? Who's the poor beggar? Is it one of the 
 
 captives about whom there has been such a row ? You 
 
276 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 know whom I mean. The Europeans for whom King 
 Koffee demanded a ransom." 
 
 "Yes; it is his latest prisoner," was Dick's answer. 
 '•Look here." 
 
 He spread out the tattered piece of dirty linen upon 
 the roof of the cabin and showed it to his friend. It 
 looked as though it might at one time have formed a 
 portion of a wdiite linen handkerchief, or perhaps it 
 was a strip torn from a man's shirt. In any case it 
 had been pressed into the service of the writer of the 
 missive for lack of other and better material ; and the 
 ink with which the letters were scrawled was in all 
 probability derived from the diluted juice of some 
 berry growing in the forest. They straggled across 
 the strip, some large and some very small, all more or 
 less blotched and blurred, while many unmistakably 
 pointed to the fact that a pointed twig or some such 
 primitive implement had done service for a pen. 
 
 ''From Meinheer Van Somering," said Dick, im- 
 pressively. "Poor beggar! He is one of the owners 
 of the mme, as I have already told you, and it was he 
 who was attacked with Mr. Pepson on their way down 
 to the coast. The agent whose place I took was killed 
 at the first volley, while Meinheer capsized the boat. 
 The last that Mr. Pepson saw of him was as he plunged 
 into the river. We thought him drowned, and he is, 
 or w^as, a captive. Listen, and I will read." 
 
 He spread the strip out once more, smoothing the 
 many creases, and having again nm his eye over the 
 letters commenced to read. 
 
 " 'For the love of Gott, help me, mein friends. I 
 have made the escape from these terrible Ashanti men. 
 
News from Ashanti 277 
 
 I have come to the creek where was the mine, and, 
 alas! there is no boat. All are g-one. With me is one 
 friend, a native, who make the escape also. He say 
 he can find boat down the stream and make for the 
 coast. He will try. Brave man! H he live, then he 
 return with mein friend, and make the rescue. Mein 
 word ! how I wait for him. Christian \'an Som- 
 ering.' " 
 
 It was a pathetic missive, scrawled as it was on this 
 dirty strip of linen, and Dick's eyes filled with tears at 
 the thought of the miserable condition of Meinheer. 
 His face assumed an expression of determination, and 
 he swung round upon the native with a question. So 
 sudden and unexpected was the movement, that the 
 man cringed to the deck agtiin, and placed his hands 
 over his head as if to ward off a blow. 
 
 "Have no fear," said our hero, in the Ashanti 
 tongue. "Tell me all about this matter; how you 
 came to meet the white man, and how you made your 
 escape. Where is he living now?" 
 
 It was pitiable to watch the relief depicted upon the 
 face of the fugitive as he heard the words. He knelt 
 upon the deck and l(X)ked about him as though he could 
 hardly believe his ears. He might have been a culprit 
 who expected discovery at any moment, and who sud- 
 denly found that suspicion had passed over his head 
 and had settled upon some other individual. He 
 sighed, stood up, and then began to answer. 
 
 "It is a long tale, but I can tell it shortly," he said. 
 "I was in the village when the enemy came upon us. 
 and with many others was taken prisoner. Here is 
 the mark of the wound which I received as I endeav- 
 
278 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 oured to escape. I was taken towards Kumasi, the 
 place where slaves are killed in the house of execution, 
 and I knew that death was before me. Like many an- 
 other I longed to effect an escape, and it happened that 
 I succeeded with the help of the white chief. Yes, 
 chief, he was a prisoner also, being dragged towards 
 Kumasi, and it was he who, as we lay side by side one 
 night, bit through the lashings which secured my arms 
 and legs. Then I set him free and we stole away to 
 this place where the white chief had once been. None 
 suspected that we were there, and we had hoped to find 
 another white chief at the mine, and boats in which to 
 make down the river. But there was no stockade. 
 The place had been burned, and the boats were gone." 
 
 "How long ago is this?" demanded Dick. "When 
 did you meet the white chief ?" 
 
 The native counted the days off on his fingers and 
 thought for a moment. Then he stretched out his 
 hands and lifted his ten fingers into the air four times 
 in succession. 
 
 "It is so many days, perhaps more," he said. "I 
 cannot say. The days were so much alike. We lived 
 in terror of our lives, for the enemy were on the river 
 and about the mine. We hid in the forest, living on 
 yams and plantains. Then the chief fell sick, and 
 for a little while I thought he would die. But he re- 
 covered, and bade me go down the river wdth this scrap 
 of linen. He lies there near the creek, chief." 
 
 "Yes, but that does not explain how you managed to 
 make this journey," interposed our hero. "How did 
 you obtain the boat ?" 
 
 "I stole it. At night I crept through the forest close 
 
News from Ashanti 279 
 
 to the water, till I came to the canip uf the enemy. 
 Then I searched and found a boat, .\fter that I fled, 
 and the chief knows what happened. He saved my 
 life." 
 
 It was a simple tale of escape, and there was nothing 
 wonderful about it. The incidents of it escaped the 
 minds of the hearers at once, for their thoughts were 
 turned to Meinheer Van Somering, lying there in the 
 forest, struck down with the all-prevailing fever, no 
 doubt. 
 
 "Of course we shall go up-stream and take him kick 
 to the coast," said Dick, promptly. "But first we must 
 find out something about the enemy. It would never 
 do to be caught in a trap. Tell me about the Ashantis," 
 he went on. addressing the native. "Where are their 
 camps?" 
 
 "There are two on the river." was the answer. 
 "From the first I stole the boat, and the second, which 
 is lower down, discovered me as the dawn came." 
 
 "Then they would certainly discover us." said Jack, 
 when Dick had explained matters to him. "We should 
 find ourselves in a regular hive, and that would not be 
 very pleasant. Mind, Dick, I don't want to discourage 
 this idea of rescue: still, we must think of the men. 
 Could we run up in the launch without being seen and 
 followed ?" 
 
 A vigorous shake of Dick's head was the answer. 
 "We should be discovered as sure as eggs. Then they 
 would put a fleet of boats on the river and follow. 
 Their gims would attract the attention of their com- 
 rades higher up. and. well — I couldn't expect such good 
 fortune again as befell Johnnie and myself on a former 
 
2 8o with Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 occasion. Frankly, to run the launch up under such 
 circumstances would be madness." 
 
 There was silence for some minutes amongst the 
 group gathered about the cabin, the throb of the min- 
 iature engine alone breaking the silence of the river. 
 A difficult question had to be settled, and the longer 
 the two young Englishmen stared at the strange mis- 
 sive written, or scratched rather, upon the dirty strip 
 of linen, the greater did the difficulty become. It was 
 clear to both that, however big the stake, however im- 
 portant the life to be rescued, they had no right to risk 
 the safety of the whole of the launch's crew, and there 
 would be risk if they went. More than that, the at- 
 tempt to ascend, with the certain information that there 
 were two camps on the banks of the river, would be 
 madness, and deserving of the utmost censure. 
 
 "Ask him if he thinks we could rush through, and 
 how far it is," suggested Jack, suddenly. 
 
 "It would mean death. There are thousands of the 
 enemy," was the answer. "As to the place, it is not 
 very far. I stole the boat last night and by dawn I 
 reached this part. For some hours the stream carried 
 me, for I would not risk the use of the paddle. 
 
 "Twenty miles at least," muttered Dick, staring out 
 across the water. 
 
 "And too far to risk a rush. There is no moon 
 to-night, Dick, and that would be against us, for if 
 we steamed up, it would be at full speed, and we should 
 come back at the sam.e pace also. Well, for that we 
 want light. There may be banks here and there. The 
 risk of collision would be great. In short, I'm dead 
 against it. Don't think I'm funking; I'm not. We 
 
News from Ashanti 281 
 
 are here to gather information, and, of course, we 
 would effect a rescue if possible. We are not au- 
 thorized to act rashly, and endanger the whole expe- 
 dition by making an attempt which is foredoomed to 
 failure. In short, we are supposed to possess common 
 sense and courage, and in the decision of this question 
 it appears to me that it requires more courage to say, 
 'Xo, it can't be done; we must leave the poor beggar,' 
 than it does to stoke our fires and steam up the river at 
 full speed." 
 
 There was no doubt that Jack Emmett had placed 
 the facts of the matter in a nutshell, and that it pained 
 him to say what he had said. Dick knew him well 
 enough now to be sure that his companion had suffi- 
 cient dash and daring for this or any other expedition, 
 and he knew well, too, that if he, the leader of this 
 little party, gave the word, the movement would be 
 commenced without a murmur, and every effort made 
 to carry it through to a satisfactory conclusion. But 
 had he the right to give such an order? Might he risk 
 the lives of all for one, and that one not an English- 
 man? Could he leave him to his fate, knowing that he 
 only lay some twenty miles away? 
 
 "Impossible! I would rather risk anything," he 
 said aloud. "Vou are right. Jack," he exclaimed, 
 turning to his friend. "I am not justified in asking 
 the men to join in such a dash — hair-brained attempt 
 it would he called. Besides, this expedition is sent 
 here for a purpose, and that is to gather news of the 
 utmost importance. That is our aim and object in 
 coming here, and we must keep it prominently before 
 us. There is just one saving clause." 
 
282 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "That is?" demanded Jack, breathlessly. 
 
 "That I have a subaltern, as I may call you. If 1 
 am shot, or fall ill, the launch need not return, as once 
 before happened to us, on my account, I grieve to state. 
 The launch would remain and carry out the work." 
 
 "Quite so. But I don't follow. I hope you won't 
 be shot. If you are, then, of course, I shall command, 
 and it will be a case of the fortune of war." 
 
 He might have been a Frenchman by his manner of 
 shrugging his shoulders. His handsome, open face 
 showed clearly that he disliked this conversation where- 
 in the possible fate of his friend and commander was 
 discussed. 
 
 "Certainly," came Dick's answer, given in the cool- 
 est tones. "As leader, I give orders. I find on going 
 into this matter, that it would be unwise to risk the 
 lives of the crew and ourselves in attempting a rescue. 
 But, at the same time, I cannot leave an old friend to a 
 ghastly fate." 
 
 "Then you will go?" 
 
 "Yes; I will go alone with this native. He came 
 down the river at night, and what he has done I can 
 do. I will return with him, and we will bring my 
 friend away. You will command in my absence, and 
 will remain as near as possible, so as to pick us up. 
 It's all very clear and simple." 
 
 "By George ! clear and simple ! You can't mean it ?" 
 
 A nod of the head v/as his only answer, as the two 
 young fellows stared at each other, Dick looking very 
 calm and determined, and Jack decidedly taken aback. 
 As for the crew, who perforce, owing to the limited 
 space aboard the launch, had been interested listeners 
 
News fr^m AsliLinti 283 
 
 to the whole conversatiun, they liad been itching to 
 throw in a word to encourage the order for a dash, 
 for nothing would have pleased these gallant fellows 
 more. But they were intelligent men. and they, too, 
 when the matter was thrashed out before them, could 
 understand the grave risk attached to such an attempt, 
 and the fact that it was not legitimate to undertake it. 
 They could appreciate a brave decision, too, and as 
 their young leader quietly announced his intentions, 
 they set up a cheer, which brought the blood to his 
 cheeks. Jack gripped him by the hand, while Johnnie 
 started from his stoking well, and came a pace nearer. 
 
 "Then yo want me," he said eagerly. "Johnnie 
 know^ de forest, know dese debil Ashanti, and hab no 
 fear. He fight plenty Ashanti." 
 
 "I want no one, thank you." came the answer. "I will 
 accompany this native, and I shall hope to be back here 
 two nights from this. 'Bout ship. Jack. We must 
 make these beggars think that we are turning tail. 
 Now. ril ask this fellow a question Come here, my 
 man. Will you direct me to the white chief to-night, 
 and return here with him?" 
 
 A smile broke out on the wan face of the native, and 
 he showed his teeth. 
 
 "I will go gladly," he said. "To the white chief my 
 life is due. and 1 will repay the debt. Let there be no 
 fear for our safety. These enemies will not ex- 
 pect us, and during the night we shall easily pull up to 
 the creek. In two days, perhaps, we shall return." 
 
 All was now bustle and movement aboard the launch, 
 for many preparations for the coming attempt had to 
 be made. Meanwhile, seeing that he could not per- 
 
284 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 suade his comrade not to make the journey, Jack Em- 
 mett went to the hehn and sent the launch back to her 
 course, down the centre of the river. And there he 
 held her, sitting motionless and thoughtful at the tiller, 
 while Dick and his men prepared the native boat. Two 
 rifles and an abundant store of ammunition were 
 placed in her, and to these were added a cooking-pot, 
 some tinned provisions, and a keg of water. That 
 done, and some miles having been covered since they 
 turned towards the sea, the launch was run in toward 
 the bank and anchored, while all threw themselves 
 down beneath the awning to sleep. As evening came, 
 they partook of a meal, and once the night had fallen, 
 they pulled m their anchor and stood up the centre of 
 the river again, their course guided by the faint streak 
 which intervened between the two black lines of forest 
 on either side. A shield of sacking surrounded the 
 top of the funnel, while precautions were taken to hide 
 all trace of light from the fire. In fact, the launch 
 might have been a ghost, so silent and invisible was 
 
 she. 
 
 "Stop her. Bring that boat forward, please." 
 
 It was Dick's voice, cool and collected as before. 
 
 "Now hold her while we embark. Good-bye, Jack. 
 Good-bye, men. Keep a watch for us to-morrow 
 night. Shove her off." 
 
 A dozen hands stretched out to grip his in the dark- 
 ness, and a dozen voices, gruff and deep, and sunk to a 
 whisper, bade him good luck and good-bye. A push 
 then sent the boat clear of the launch, and within a few 
 seconds she was under way, the dip of the paddles 
 being just distinguishable. That sound soon ceased, 
 
News from Ashanti 285 
 
 and as the crew of the launch stared disconsolately 
 after their leader, they could neither hear nor see a 
 trace of the boat. 
 
 "Good luck to the lad," growled one of the sailors. 
 ''Blest if he ain't the pluckiest gentleman as ever I see." 
 
 "And if them fellers gets 'im and does for our young 
 orfficer, I tell yer they'll 'ave ter pay, do yer 'ear?" 
 growled another. "Strike me ! but we'll give 'em some- 
 thing for interferin" !" 
 
 "Silence there, for'ard. 'Bout launch! Steady 
 there with the tiller, and hold your tongues, my lads." 
 
 This time it was Jack Emmett's voice, strangely 
 altered. At once there was silence. But the men 
 could think and mutter to themselves, and as they 
 slowly steamed down the dark river that black night, 
 each and all, from their new commander downward, 
 registered a vow that if Dick Stapleton did not soon 
 return, they would find the cause and probe the mystery 
 to the bottom. 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 A Well-laid Scheme 
 
 "Not a sound. Nothing to disturb us. We have 
 been lucky." 
 
 "And the creek hes within an hour's paddling from 
 here, chief. Soon we shall reach the white man who 
 befriended me." 
 
 It was still quite dark, though the partial view 
 which the curling river Prahsu allowed of the east 
 showed that there the sky was already streaked with 
 dull grey clouds, and that the day would not be long 
 in coming. It was hours since the native boat had 
 put off from the launch, and the paddles of the two 
 occupants had dipped regularly and monotonously all 
 the while, with an occasional spell of rest. And never 
 once had a sound or suspicion of the proximity of the 
 enemy alarmed them. 
 
 "We had better paddle over to the bank and be ready 
 to take cover beneath the trees," said Dick, at last. 
 "I remember that they overhang, and that we can run 
 in beneath them and still paddle. Let us get close to 
 them, and stay outside till the light is brighter." 
 
 "Or it may be that we shall be within the creek by 
 then," came the answer. "Then there will be no 
 
 286 
 
A Well-laid Scheme 287 
 
 danger. We have seen no sign of the enemy near the 
 mine for some days past." 
 
 Turning the nose of -the native lx3at towards the 
 bank, they ran her in till she was only a few yards 
 from the long and continuous line of overhanging 
 boughs which clothed the side of the river. And in 
 that position they paddled on till the growing light 
 warned them that longer stay in the open would be 
 dangerous. Then they plunged in beneath the boughs, 
 and continued their passage up the river. Presently a 
 cr}' from the native attracted Dick's attention. 
 
 "The creek, chief." he called out. "We will push 
 on." 
 
 He was strangely excited, and now that the goal 
 was in sight plunged his paddle into the water with 
 greater energy, and set the pace so that his white com- 
 panion had difficulty in keeping time. They surged 
 along through the shallows, dodging the boughs which 
 dropped to the water, and ducking their heads to avoid 
 others which came dangerously near to the boat. It was 
 still hardly light when they shot the boat into the nar- 
 row mouth of the creek, though as they rested on their 
 paddles and looked back, the gloom surrounding this 
 narrow and ftietid strip of water was deejier when com- 
 pared witli the prospect offered by the river. 
 
 "At last," said Dick. "We are here in safety, and 
 still there is no sign of the enemy. Where is Mein- 
 heer? Shall we have trouble in finding him?" 
 
 "Perhaps a little," was the answer. "He wanders 
 here and there in search of food, and to keep watch 
 lest these Ashanti men should come to the neighbour- 
 hood." 
 
2 88 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "Halt!"' whispered Dick, suddenly, for he thought 
 he saw a dark object on the bank. "Look there ! Is 
 that some one watching us ? There ! He has moved 
 away." 
 
 They came to a sudden stop, while each peered into 
 the jungle. The native lifted his head to listen, while 
 his white companion stretched out his hand for his rifle 
 and took it across his knees. 
 
 "Perhaps a beast of the forest, chief. It was not a 
 man, of that I feel sure. Let us press on, for we might 
 still be seen from the main channel of the river, and 
 see how light it is getting." 
 
 Once more they plunged their paddles into the water 
 and sent the boat ahead, though Dick, who sat in the 
 stern, kept his eyes on the forest. His suspicious were 
 aroused, and he was now keenly alert, for he felt 
 almost sure that he had actually seen a man. Then, 
 too, something told him that they were being watched. 
 
 "That was a call, too," he said to himself suddenly, 
 as the note of a bird came to his ear. "Of course it 
 may have been all right, but I don't half like it." 
 
 He eased his sword in its sheath, and felt for his 
 revolver, which of late he had carried suspended to 
 his shoulder and between his coat and his shirt. There 
 it was out of the way and out of sight, while he found 
 that he could lay hold of it instantly. In fact, it was 
 an excellent position, for whether in a boat or ashore, 
 the weapon, placed where it was, did not strike against 
 objects when he sat down or moved rapidly. A little 
 later the bend in this stagnant creek came into view, 
 and there was the place where the boats had been 
 secured when he was at the mine. He could see the 
 
A Well-laid Sclicmc 2 8g 
 
 dark surface of the sluggish stream as it issued from 
 the jungle, and though he peered amidst the trees there 
 was not a man or beast to be seen. 
 
 "In a few minutes it will be lighter," said the native. 
 "Then we will land and search. Perhaps the chief will 
 stay here on the bank while I go in search of my 
 friend." 
 
 Dick thought for a moment. Would it l)e wise to 
 land, and perhaps have a dozen or more of the enemy 
 upon him? Would it not be wiser to stay aboard and 
 lie off in the stream? That would give him an enor- 
 mous advantage in case of attack. But suppose Mein- 
 heer were near at hand, and he were seen and followed ; 
 he would require help. "You shall go ashore first," 
 he said to the native. "I will wait here, and when 
 you report that all is clear near the landing stage, I will 
 come." 
 
 For a moment it seemed as though the man hardly 
 liked the order, for he looked at his companion doubt- 
 fully, and fidgeted. Then he thrust his paddle into the 
 water and shot the boat close to the side. 
 
 "In a few moments." he said. 'T sliall (juickly decide 
 whether there are enemies al^out." 
 
 He leaped to the bank, giving the l>:>at a push out 
 into the stream, and at once disappeared in the dense 
 jungle. For a little while the crash of twigs and dead 
 l)oughs told that he was moving, but finally the sounds 
 died down. Once our hero thought he heard the far- 
 off cry of a bird, but he was not sure, anfl presently 
 his suspicions of danger were set aside by the recur- 
 rence of the sounds of some one moving and by the 
 sudden appearance of the native on the bank. 
 
290 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "All is clear," the man called out. "The forest is 
 empty. Even the white chief is nowhere at hand. But 
 we shall find him soon. It is safe for the chief to 
 land." 
 
 Satisfied now that his suspicions had been ground- 
 less, and yet with the ever-present feeling that there 
 might be, and probably was, some danger to be antici- 
 pated, Dick drove his paddle into the water, and sent 
 the nose of the boat into the bank. The native caught 
 the rope and dragged at it, while his master leaped 
 ashore, rifle in hand. Then, together, they pulled the 
 boat half way up on the bank, and made the painter 
 fast to a tree. Not till then did Dick observe a figure 
 creeping towards him through the jungle. He gave 
 a startled cry, and lifted his rifle to his shoulder. Then 
 a second figure came into view, and just as he was in 
 the act of pulling his trigger a dozen natives rushed 
 forward from different directions, while the very man 
 w^hom he had rescued dow^n the river, and who had 
 brought the note from the Dutchman, leaped on his 
 back, and flung his hands over his face. Then com- 
 menced a desperate struggle, for Dick realized in a 
 flash that he was the victim of a ruse ; that he had been 
 hoodwinked and decoyed to this place. At the thought 
 his usually placid temper broke its bounds, and in an 
 instant he became furious with rage, while his strength, 
 which at all times was of no mean order, became 
 doubled. \\^ith a snarl he dropped the rifle, and ere 
 the men charging down upon him could come to close 
 quarters, he had gripped the wrists of the ruflian who 
 had leaped on his back, and torn the hands from his 
 face. Then he swung the man round, and picking 
 
A Well-laid Sclicmc 291 
 
 him up as if he were a child, flung him with furious 
 energy against a huge cotton tree growing just beside 
 him. 
 
 By then the others were at hand, and the contest 
 was continued with desperate earnestness. Dick knew 
 that he was cornered, and across his mind the results 
 of capture passed vividly. In a flash he saw himself 
 a prisoner, led to Kumasi, there to be slaughtered. It 
 was a terrible prospect, and the thought of it increased 
 his desperation. His teeth closed tightly together, not 
 a sound escaped his lips in response to the shouts of 
 the enemy. Then his hand flew to his sword ; but he 
 had no time to draw it, for one of the enemy, a tall, 
 lanky Ashanti, was already upon him, rushing into 
 close quarters, and wielding an enonnous stake. The 
 weapon was already in the air when Dick saw his dan- 
 ger, and he had barely time to leap aside. Then his 
 instinct caused him to make use of nature's weapons, 
 and in a trice his right fist flew out and struck the na- 
 tive full on the forehead, sending him staggering back 
 against the tree at the foot of which lay the body of 
 the native who had acted as decoy. There was a third 
 close at hand by now. but nothing daunted the solitary 
 white man sprang at the stake which had dmpped to 
 the ground and seized it. Then the conflict went on 
 with renewed energy on his part. With sweeping 
 blows he held the enemy at Ixiy, and as the more ven- 
 turesome rushed in. the stake went up with a whirl, 
 there was a crash, and another man fell to the ground. 
 It was not to be such a one-sided contest after all. 
 and in a little while, when he had cleared the natives 
 farther back, Dick hoped to be able to rush for the 
 
292 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 boat, launch it, and push it from the bank. Then 
 would come the time for his revolver, and he promised 
 himself that he would make good use of it. But he 
 had greater trouble to contend with, for the crash of 
 broken boughs in the forest told him that others were 
 near at hand. Indeed, hardly had he realized the fact 
 that the enemy were about to receive reinforcements, 
 when a number of dusky figures appeared, while a 
 man stepped from behind a huge cotton tree. It was 
 the half-caste, James Langdon, saturnine in appear- 
 ance, looking thin and wan after his long residence 
 with the Ashantis, and showing on his ugly features 
 the same crafty cunning look as had first aroused our 
 hero's suspicion and dislike. He, too, bore a stake in 
 his hand and held it poised above his head. With 
 careful eye he aimed it at the young fellow fighting 
 by the bank of the river; then, with a sudden move- 
 ment he threw it as if it were a spear, and with such 
 deadly aim that it struck the object on the temple. 
 
 Dick fell like a log. Had he been an ox that had 
 been struck a true blow with the pole-axe he could not 
 have fallen more swiftly. One instant he stood there, 
 breathing hard, and whirling his club, defiant and by 
 no means conquered, and the next he lay an inert mass 
 at the feet of the rascal who had decoyed him up the 
 river. 
 
 "A fine shot !" shouted the half-caste. "On to him, 
 and make his hands and feet fast. Now a pole, and 
 we will carry him. Later, when he has recovered, he 
 shall drag his own body to Kumasi for the sacrifice." 
 
 He stood by with every sign of satisfaction as the 
 natives obeyed his orders, and smiled his cruel smile 
 
A Well-laid Scheme 293 
 
 as the last of the lashiiii^s were c-iiiipleteil. By this 
 time a pole had been slashed from the underwood, and 
 with a refinement of cruelty for which this race are 
 known, the Ashantis thrust the pole between Dick's 
 feet and hands, which were held together by the lash- 
 ings, and prepared to carr)- him away suspended in 
 that fashion. 
 
 "We will look at these comrades of ours," said James 
 Langdon, as they turned to depart. "Ah, our friend, 
 the white fool, struck true and well. The man is 
 stunned. It will be hours before he recovers. Who 
 will wait with him?" 
 
 "And risk the coming of this man's friends? Xone 
 of us," came the answer. "Let him lie, and if he es- 
 capes, then he is fortunate. Besides, he has comrades 
 to keep him company." 
 
 lie pointed to three others who had been struck down 
 bv the stake, and at once the half-caste bent over 
 them. 
 
 "Thev are all hit badly, but will regain their senses, 
 I think." he said calmly. "Well, let them lie there 
 and recover while we push on. What of this one. 
 though ?" 
 
 "bead!" replied the man who had answered his first 
 question. "I saw him thrown against the tree, and 
 heard the crash. His back is broken and also his head. 
 He will never recover." 
 
 "Then fling him into the river and let us Ik? going. 
 After all. he played for a stake, and would have had 
 the bulk of the reward for this fool's capture. But he 
 bungled it. His fingers should have gripped the neck, 
 for then they could not have been so easily grasped. 
 
2 94 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 It is a lesson to us all. Fling him in and pick up your 
 burden." 
 
 None of the men seemed to think that there was 
 anything remarkably inhuman in their action, for to 
 these Ashantis human life was very cheap indeed, and 
 kindness and mercy almost unknown qualities. While 
 a man was alive and possessed of full strength he was 
 a comrade to be respected, for he could take care of 
 himself. Dead, however, or badly injured, he was a 
 nuisance, a positive burden, to be rid of at the first 
 moment ; to be robbed and deserted, or to be flung into 
 the nearest stream like a dog. Without a thought, 
 therefore, they picked up the man who had played his 
 part so well and flung him with a loud splash into the 
 stagnant stream. Then, without a second look at their 
 unconscious fellows, they turned, picked up the pole, 
 and went off through the forest in the wake of James 
 Langdon. 
 
 When Dick regained his senses an hour later his 
 first feeling was one of extreme anguish in both hands 
 and feet, and very soon the pain caused his scattered 
 wits to return, and led him to discover the cause of his 
 trouble. He was suffering tortures, so much so that 
 the agony swamped all thought of his miserable con- 
 dition as a captive. He struggled, and begged to be 
 set down. 
 
 "Cut his legs adrift, then," said James Langdon, 
 brutally. "Now place him on his feet and make a 
 creeper fast to his hands. Better still, lash them be- 
 hind his back instead of in front ; then two of you can 
 hold the end of the creeper." 
 
 They threw their prisoner on the ground and cut 
 
A Well-laid Scheme 295 
 
 both lashings. Then they swung him over on to his 
 face and tied his hands behind, making a long creeper 
 fast to the lashing. .\ moment later they picked 
 him up and placed him on his feet. He stag- 
 gered and fell at once, his limbs doubling up beneath 
 him. 
 
 "He won't stand, then!" cried the half-caste, his 
 cruel nature delighted at the sight of so much suffer- 
 ing, and at the plight in which he saw the son of his 
 old employer. "Set him up again and hold him there. 
 I will thrash him till he changes his tune and agrees to 
 make good use of his legs." 
 
 There was no haste about this ruffian. He drew a 
 sheath knife and went in search of a knotted vine, 
 returning with it. still plying his blade and paring off 
 the small branches attached to it. Then he took his 
 post behind his prisoner. 
 
 "Raise him. and stand well aside." he cried, with a 
 gay laugh. "Xow we will see h'>w long it takes us to 
 persuade him." 
 
 Could the prisoner have freed liis hands at that 
 moment and managed to reach his tormentor, he would 
 have taken such a grip of his throat that James Lang- 
 don's villainy would have been summarily ended for all 
 time. Dick felt the cruel sting of the lashes as they 
 fell upon his back, across his face, and on his legs and 
 shoulders. But his indignation and rage at such cow- 
 ardly and dastardly treatment helped to ease the pain. 
 He clenched his fingers, closed his lips firmly, and when 
 he could fixed his ga^e upon the ruffian who belaboured 
 him. Then, gradually, as the man tired and his blows 
 lost power, and as the circulation returned to the pris- 
 
296 With Wolseley to KumasI 
 
 oner's legs, he gained sufficient strength to stand, and 
 then to hobble. 
 
 "See what a good healer I am," laughed the half- 
 caste. "Others would have rubbed his legs and feet. 
 I use my whip to his back, and the sulky dog is roused. 
 He finds that it will be as well to walk and do as he is 
 bid." 
 
 "And he will find it in him to punish such an act 
 when the time comes," gasped Dick. "I do not 
 threaten, James Langdon, thief and ruffian. I give 
 you due warning, ^^'hen the time comes, I will shoot 
 you as if you were a wild beast, without notice and 
 without mercy. Vermin such as you are do not de- 
 serve ordinary treatment." 
 
 For a few seconds the half-caste was taken aback, 
 for at heart he was an arrant coward, and the mere 
 mention of what might happen to him was sufficient 
 to shake his nerve. But he had the game in his own 
 hands now, he flattered himself. This time the youth 
 at whose door he laid all his troubles, the need which 
 drove him to live this life in the jungle, the fever which 
 racked him, and a hundred other evils, was securely 
 bound, a prisoner, from whom no danger was to be 
 apprehended. His words were harmless. He was as 
 helpless as a new-bom babe. 
 
 "When the time comes I shall be prepared," he said, 
 with a laugh which he vainly endeavoured to make easy 
 and light. "For the present we will advance, and 
 leave threats and chatter till later. Advance, and beat 
 the dog if he shows signs of lagging." 
 
 Had the Ashanti warriors who helped in the capture 
 and who now formed the escort had even hearts of 
 
niCK FKI.T TMK CRl-KI. SIINC. OK THE I-ASHES" 
 
A W'cll-Liid Scheme 297 
 
 stone they would iiave pitied their i)ri>"iier. The very 
 fact that lie had made a very gaUaiit and deteniiiued 
 tight for freedom would have aroused their enthusiasm 
 and respect. But these men of Kumasi had long since 
 had all such feelings driven from their breasts. The 
 constant succession of cruelties of the most frightful 
 nature perpetrated at Kumasi had hardenetl them to 
 all human feeling and misery. They had. ever)' one 
 of them, from the time when they were mere children, 
 been daily witnes.<:es of executions, of unmeaning and 
 ferocious tortures, and of endless bloodshed. Mercy 
 they had never encountered. There was but one punish- 
 ment for prisoners and evil-doers alike, for the thief, 
 the murderer, and those whose cruel fate had caused 
 them to l)e born in slavery. The executioners stretched 
 out their greedy and remorseless hands for all. and 
 who could say when their turn would come? Was it 
 remarkable, therefore, that these men marched on be- 
 fore and behind their prisoner, belabouring him when 
 his steps flagged, and shouting oaths at him? And so, 
 in this sorry plight, his feet tingling still, while his 
 hands felt as if the skin would burst, so tight were the 
 lashings. Dick was hurried on through the dark and 
 sombre forest out to the clearing and to the site where 
 had stood the mine stockade. There, as the procession 
 halted, he threw himself on the ground in an exhausted 
 condition, wishing almost that he might die. His 
 tliirst v.as now unbearable, while his head throblied 
 and ached from the blow he had received. Xo won- 
 der, too, if he were apathetic, if his fate were now a 
 matter of little concern to him : for his present miseries 
 overshadowed all else. 
 
298 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "Give him some water, and put him in the shade," 
 ordered the half-caste. "Two of you stand over him 
 with your guns, and if he moves thrash him with the 
 vine. We will teach him how to behave while he is in 
 our hands." 
 
 He glared at his prisoner, who took not the slightest 
 notice of him. But as soon as the water was brought 
 Dick drank it greedily, for he was parched. Then he 
 lay down, his hands still secured behind his back, and 
 very soon, utterly wearied by his night's work, and 
 by his struggle with the enemy, he fell fast asleep, en- 
 joying a dreamless rest which was of the greatest serv- 
 ice to him. 
 
 What would have been the feelings of those gallant 
 souls away down the river had they known of the 
 treachery to w^iich their young leader had fallen a 
 victim ! Had they but guessed that the fleeing native 
 was only part of a clever plan, laboriously thought out 
 by the half-caste robber whose thefts had driven him 
 to take to the forests, and wdio, like so many of those 
 who have wronged the man whose salt they have eaten, 
 had turned all his hate and vengeance upon that man 
 or his representative ! But how could they guess ? It 
 had all been so real. The native boat appearing at 
 dawn, with a shouting mob in full pursuit, as if the 
 light had only then enabled them to discover the run- 
 away. Their shots, falling recklessly about the boat, 
 and the desperate haste of the native himself, his 
 wound and his apparent exhaustion, had all aided in 
 misleading the crew of the launch. They never imag- 
 ined that their presence in the river had been instantly 
 detected, and that when they lay to for the night, their 
 
A Well-laid Scheme 299 
 
 exact whereabouts had come to the cars of James Lang- 
 don and his roving band of free-booters. But that was 
 w hat had happened. 
 
 The half-caste had learned that Dick Stapleton had 
 formerly come up the river, and had been taken back to 
 the sea owing to an attack of fever. His spies, of 
 whom there were many on the coast, had told him how 
 the young fellow fared, and had sent news as soon as 
 preparations for another expedition with the launch 
 had been commenced. Then he had hatched his plot 
 to trap his master's son. and with fiendish ingenuity 
 had relied upon the gallantry of his dupe to lead him 
 into the net. What was easier than for this man, ac- 
 customed to clerical duties, and. as it chanced, acquaint- 
 ed with Meinheer, to scrawl a fe.v letters on a piece of 
 linen, and sign the Dutchman's name? for he knew 
 well that the fraud in the signature would never be de- 
 tected. It was a well-planned plot, and had succeeded 
 only too well, though the victim had made a hard fight 
 for his liberty and had given unexpected trouble. 
 
 And so while Dick lay there in the shade, fast asleep, 
 the crew of the launch dozed the hours away, knowing 
 well that they could not look for his return till late the 
 following night. 
 
 Some few hours after Dick had fallen asleep he was 
 kicked and ordered to stand up. 
 
 "We start f(jr Kumasi." said James Langdon. with 
 a leer, "for the seat of the great King KufTee. There 
 is a prospect before you, young man, and you will have 
 time to think alx^ut it. Make sure of him." he went 
 on. turning to his followers, "for the cajnive is no 
 longer mine. He belongs to the King, and it will l^e 
 
300 With Wolseley to KumasI 
 
 a bad day's work for the one whose carelessness results 
 in his escape. Now, march on, and let us push the 
 pace." 
 
 Three days later the procession marched into the 
 town of Kumasi, their prisoner still in their midst, 
 footsore and weary, but with courage undaunted. They 
 passed at once along the principal street, and Dick was 
 astonished to find that it was very wide, that neat huts 
 stood in an orderly line on either side, and that trees 
 grew here and there, offering a welcome shade. The 
 thousands who came to stare and mock at him seemed 
 neat and tidy, though they boasted little clothing, while 
 the whole air of the town was one of prosperity and 
 orderliness. But there was one huge drawback, w^hich 
 attracted the prisoner's attention the instant he set foot 
 in Kumasi, indeed, even before he reached the town. 
 Where there should have been the pleasantest of breezes 
 there was the most ghastly and nauseating odour of 
 dead men, and as the procession advanced the cause of 
 this became more and more apparent. For Kumasi 
 was like a charnel house. The bodies of the hundreds 
 of poor wretches who were slain were simply thrown 
 into the nearest stagnant stream, or were piled in a 
 narrow grove, the fetish grove, adjacent to the house 
 of execution. In truth, the smell of blood was every- 
 where, and on every hand dark stains told of its pres- 
 ence. No wonder that he shuddered, while his courage 
 began to evaporate. 
 
 "How awful !" he thought. "The place makes one 
 feel deadly sick, and the sights on either side are shock- 
 ing. If that is to be the end, then the sooner the bet- 
 ter. But I am not done yet. I will have a try for 
 
A Well-laid Scheme 301 
 
 freedom, and it may be that 1 shall succeed. To think 
 1 have been made a fool of, and that letter was a 
 forgery. I'uor old Meinheer is dead after all." 
 
 Even in the depths of his misery he could think un- 
 selfishly of others, of the unfortunate Dutchman whose 
 name had been sufficient to bring his young agent to 
 this plight. A moment later his thoughts were inter- 
 rupted by James Langdon. 
 
 "The lions have had a good view of him," he 
 laughed, as he nodded to the crowd, w ho evidently held 
 the half-caste in some awe. 'Tn a little while he shall 
 afford them more sport, and they shall see what sort 
 of a captive I have brought them. Pack him into the 
 hut here, next to mine, and watch him while I go to 
 the King. My servant will see to his food. Cut his 
 lashings and bundle him in." 
 
 A man produced his sword, and the lashings were 
 cut. Then, with the smallest ceremony, Dick was 
 bundled into the hut. a one-roomed erection, smelling 
 evilly, and almost devoid of light. But it was his for 
 the moment, and he revelled in the opportunity it gave 
 him to be alone. He sat down in one corner, feeling 
 weary and sore from head to foot, while the evil smell 
 of the place made him horribly sick. He was faint 
 and giddy, and when at length the food was brought 
 which was to be h\< evening meal, he pushed it from 
 him. 
 
 He was down again with fever. No white man can 
 live in the heart of the Ashanti forests, particularly on^ 
 the river, without subjecting himself to the risk of 
 incessant fever attacks, and once the malady has l)een 
 gained, the paroxysms are apt to recur very often. 
 
302 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 Hardship, privation and excitement generally are suffi- 
 cient to cause them to return, and it is therefore not 
 wonderful to have to record that Dick Stapleton was 
 again a victim. His teeth chattered, he was miserably 
 cold in spite of the fact that the temperature in this 
 stuffy hut was almost unbearable, and he had no appe- 
 tite. Indeed, he was soon semi-delirious, and it was 
 not till many weeks had passed that he was himself 
 again. The fever, want of nursing, unsatisfactory 
 foods, and incarceration in the hut did their work too 
 thoroughly, so that on this occasion he was longer in 
 recovering. And when he was stronger, and was 
 allowed to step from the hut, it was to find Kumasi in 
 a ferment, to discover the house of execution fully 
 occupied, and the bodies of fresh victims everywhere. 
 For the British advance had begun. Sir Garnet 
 Wolseley, the energetic and indefatigable worker, was 
 already on the way to the capital of the Ashantis, with 
 a goodly following of troops behind him. 
 
CHArTKR XVTIT 
 King Koftcc, the Terrible 
 
 Ku.MASi was in an uproar. Tlie long, wide street 
 which cut through the heart of the huge town was 
 aHve with Ashanti warriors, and with shrieking women 
 and children. There was consternation on every face, 
 and fierce anger at the news which had just come from 
 the river Frahsu. 
 
 "Your soldiers have bridged the river and are about 
 to advance," growled James Langdon, as he threw 
 the door of the prison hut open and accosted Dick. 
 "These fools here think that their fetish will prevail 
 and keep the British back. I know better, for I have 
 seen British troops. They will reach this place, and 
 perhaps give it to the fiames. Then they will retire, 
 and as they go we shall fall upon them and cut them 
 to pieces. You need not think that they will find you 
 here. You are a marked man, and. at the last, when 
 the advance still lakes place, the Ashantis will offer 
 you to their fetish in the hope that your sacrifice will 
 arrest the enemy. It would have been better for you, 
 Dick Staplcton, had you never interfered with mc." 
 
 "And by the look of you, it would have l)ecn easier 
 for you had you hanged yourself weeks ago," answered 
 
 303 
 
304 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 our hero, calmly, and with a smile which made his 
 captor writhe. "You look as though you were haunt- 
 ed, and I think that you must have had a very miser- 
 able time since you left the coast. You are a traitor 
 and a murderer, and you are bound to be caught and 
 punished." 
 
 "Not if I rejoin the British. What if I set you and 
 the other Europeans free! Would you obtain a par- 
 don?" 
 
 Dick emphatically shook his head, for he mistrusted 
 this man. More than that, he was wise enough to 
 know that even though James Langdon might desire 
 to do as he said, the Ashantis would never permit such 
 action. A glance at the face of the half-caste was 
 sufficient to show that he was ill at ease. Matters 
 were beginning to look serious for King Koffee and 
 his people, and the very sight of this half-caste, who 
 had urged them to action and to resistance, angered 
 them. They had lost faith in him, and James Langdon 
 knew that at any time the King's favour might be 
 withdrawn and he himself fall a victim. He turned 
 away with an oath. Then he called for the guard 
 which kept watch over the house, and gave an order. 
 At once Dick was bound and led off down the street, 
 and having reached a wide open space, close to the hor- 
 rible fetish grove, he was brought to a halt within a 
 few paces of the enormous sacrificial bowl, with its legs 
 in the form of crouching lions, on the edge of which the 
 Ashantis were wont to slay their victims. Never in 
 all his life had he seen such a hideous sight. 
 
 "Terrible ! terrible !" he murmured. "To think that 
 men could be such brutes ! It is horrible !" 
 
King Koficc, the I'crribic 305 
 
 He closed his eyes fur a little while, and then opened 
 them again as there was a coniniotion. Then, indeed, 
 he gave a start, for four white men were slowly led 
 into the arena, all strangers to him, and all miserahlc 
 prisoners like himself. They looked at him sharply, 
 and one of them called out a greeting. 
 
 "Sorry to see you here," he said, with a foreign 
 accent. "How long have you been a i)risoner?" 
 
 "About six weeks. And you?"' 
 
 "A year perhaps. W'e had hoped to be freed by the 
 payment of a ransom. Now I suppose we must wait 
 for the troops if these brutes will allow us. There is 
 never any saying what they may do. To-day there 
 will be a great sacritlce, and we are always dragged 
 here to witness the awful scene. What news?" 
 
 He asked the question eagerly, and in a few words 
 Dick narrated how Sir Garnet had landed and com- 
 menced operations, and how by now the troops must 
 be at the coast and probably on the march up. 
 
 "Then that accounts for this Initchery. They are 
 trying to stop the advance, and these poor people have 
 to suffer. Shut your eyes as long as you can. my lad. 
 Tm hardened." 
 
 But Dick could not. He looked on with dilated 
 eyes and shuddered, for the next three hours were 
 indeed too horrible to relate. Some hundreds of 
 wretched slaves and prisoners were ruthlessly slaugh- 
 tered, while the mob looked on, gloating. But hap- 
 pily for the white prisoners, there was little noise, only 
 an occasional shriek from some waiting victim. The 
 poor wretches were led to the bowl, aiul knives were 
 thrust through their cheeks so that they could nut utter 
 
3o6 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 a sound. Then their heads were forced over the edge 
 of the bowl, and with a sweep of the sacrificial knife 
 they were decapitated. 
 
 "It's done with for to-day," at last said the prisoner 
 who had spoken before, addressing Dick, wearily. "A 
 few score more of these poor people have been killed — 
 men, women and children, and now the last test of all 
 has been carried out. The fetish priests have said that 
 if men who are tied up in the forest and left alone die 
 quickly, the Ashantis will be victorious. If they live 
 for many days the British will succeed. They have 
 put knives through the cheeks of two of the captives 
 and have led them away. It's all very horrible and 
 very terrible. But never fear, things may come right 
 yet. By the way, who is that sallow dog who fights 
 with the Ashantis and advises them? See him there. 
 He is watching and listening." 
 
 Dick did not answer, for James Langdon suddenly 
 emerged from the crowd, where he had hidden himself 
 the better to watch his prisoner. Now, however, he 
 came forward at a run. and stood in front of the man 
 who had spoken. 
 
 "Sallow dog, you call me," he cried angrily. "I 
 will tell you who I am. I am the one who has so far 
 kept you white men alive, and to me you may look for 
 the order which will bring you here again for execu- 
 tion. That is your answer." 
 
 He scowled at the prisoner and then went off, giving 
 an order as he left the arena. At once the guards 
 closed round the prisoners, and all were marched away, 
 Dick being taken back and flung into his hut. He sat 
 down at once w^ith his back to the wall, and his eyes 
 
King KofTcc, the Terrible 307 
 
 fixed on the door, and for an liour he hardly stirred a 
 finger. Xow and again his eyes moved a httle. as the 
 light which streamed beneath the door altered, and 
 the shadow of a passing man crossed it. Otherwise he 
 allowed nothing to disturb his thoughts. 
 
 "I will do it," he said at last, rising to his feet and 
 pacing up and down. "I am strong now, and once 
 away I can live in the forest with ease, for there are 
 plantains everywhere. I will make an attempt this 
 very night, and if 1 fail, well it will only hasten my 
 death by a very few hours." 
 "Food and water. Take it!" 
 
 The door was thrown open by the man appointed to 
 feed the captive, and a bundle of plantains tossed into 
 the hut. An earthen pot containing water was set 
 down just inside the hut. and then the d(X)r was 
 slammed, for the man was in a hurry. Like all the 
 inhabitants of Kumasi. he was eager to go into the 
 forest to watch the poor wretches tied up there, and to 
 listen to news of the invaders. The guards also, two 
 of whom were set to watch tiic hut. had their atten- 
 tion distracted on this day. for as Dick peered through 
 the crevices in the door he could see them gossiping 
 with the passers-by. and straying far from the hut. 
 When darkness fell the town was still in a state of 
 agitation, for further news had come of a British vic- 
 tory, and the watch on the hut was even more careless. 
 But the Ashantis had not entirely forgotten their pris- 
 oner, as Dick sa^n discovered. For as he lojked out 
 into the wide street, watchitig the numerous almost 
 nude figures seated about the fires, and the warriors 
 passing to and fro, a gentle grating on the far side of 
 
3o8 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 the door warned him that he might expect a visitor. 
 As quick as a flash he crossed the floor and sank to the 
 ground on the far side, where he feigned to be asleep. 
 He had hardly gained this position when the door was 
 burst open, and two men entered, the second bearing a 
 torch. 
 
 "Gone ! He has escaped ! Those dogs have let him 
 go! Ah, no! He is here!" 
 
 The half-caste clenched his hands, and turned 
 furiously upon the native bearing the torch, for as he 
 entered, the half light cast by the flame had illuminated 
 only a portion of the hut, and he imagined that the 
 prisoner had gone. Then he caught sight of his fig- 
 ure in the corner, and heaved a sigh of relief. 
 
 "Safe!" he exclaimed, with a growl of satisfaction. 
 "Not escaped. That is good. Have we disturbed 
 your sleep ?" 
 
 Dick looked up wearily, blinking at the light, and 
 then seeing who it was, and pretending that he had 
 only just discovered the presence of his enemy, he 
 rolled over again, treating him with scorn and silence, 
 as was his custom. 
 
 For a little while the half-caste and his attendant 
 stared at him thoughtfully, then they turned and left 
 the hut. 
 
 "I felt ill at ease," Dick heard James Langdon mut- 
 ter; "I fancied that he had escaped, and I came to see 
 for myself. I can sleep peacefully now if I do not 
 dream of these British." 
 
 He clenched his hands again as he moved away, and 
 Dick heard him muttering still as the door was 
 slammed. Then came the sound of his steps, a fierce 
 
King Koffcc, the Terrible 309 
 
 kick as he pushed open the door of his own abode, and 
 a sharp crash as he swung- it to again. 
 
 "Sick an(.l weary." thought Dick. "His conscience 
 is hurling him, or rather. perhaj)s. he begins to feel the 
 net ckising round him. W'e shall see. I gave him 
 due warning, and if the time comes I will kill him as if 
 he were a tly. X«jw for business." 
 
 He rose stealthily to his feet and went to the door, 
 where he remained for some minutes staring out into 
 the street, and taking note of the position of his guards. 
 Then he went in succession to some half-dozen tiny 
 peep-holes, which he had diligently Ixjred through the 
 wattle wall of the hut. 
 
 "All clear." he said, with a satisfied chuckle. "It's 
 quite dark now, and as these people go to bed early the 
 place will soon be (juiet. I'll give the guards a little 
 time t') settle down and then I'll move. This is the 
 side for operations." 
 
 He went to the wall which faced the hut in which 
 dwelt the half-caste and set to work upon it. Slipping 
 his hand into his sleeve, he produced an angular piece 
 of iron, a fragment of a cooking-pot which he had 
 picked up in a cirncr of the hut. Many an hour had 
 he spent in sharpening an edge of the fragment upon 
 a stone dug up from the dried mud fl<x>r. and now it 
 was as keen as a razor. Holding it firmly in his hand, 
 he swept it slowly and in a circle over the wattle wall, 
 his fingers following the cut. Then he repeated the 
 process, very slowly and very carefully, severing the 
 stems one by one. Like all the habitations in Kumasi, 
 the prison in which he was incarcerated was built of 
 wattle, woven roughly together, and plastered with 
 
310 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 mud to fill the interstices. Thus when he had con- 
 trived to cut through the stems a large piece of the 
 wall was freed, with the mud still clinging to it. Dick 
 swung it open very slowly and peeped out. Then he 
 replaced the section, and once more went the round of 
 the hut, peering in all directions. Not a soul was mov- 
 ing, and even the guards had thrown themselves down, 
 beside the log fire disconsolately, for the news received 
 that day was most disheartening. 
 
 "Not time to move yet," he thought. "They look 
 quiet enough, but they are not sleepy. I'll wait a lit- 
 tle, and then we'll see what happens." 
 
 An hour later he swung the section open and stared 
 out. Then he squeezed through the opening and threw 
 himself flat on the ground. Wriggling a few inches 
 along beside the hut he soon obtained an unobstructed 
 view of the street, and could see the twinkle of the 
 dying embers, with, here and there, a figure crouching 
 over them. There were the guards, too, drowsing 
 near one of the fires, their weapons dangling beside 
 them. A dog barked in the distance, and for a little 
 while a number of the curs which infested the streets 
 of the horrible town set up a chorus of responsive 
 howls, which were more than disconcerting. One of 
 the guards stirred, while a man who had been crouch- 
 ing over one of the distant fires, no doubt thinking of 
 the fighting in prospect, rose and sauntered along till he 
 arri\'ed near the hut, where he opened up a conversa- 
 tion on the same old subject. 
 
 "They are at the Prahsu, these white dogs," he said. 
 "What will be our fortune now? What think you, 
 comrade?" 
 
King Koficc, the Terrible 3 1 i 
 
 "How shcniKl I kimw nr l)c alile to g-ucss?" was the 
 sulky answer. "Go to our fetish men. Or Ijetter, be 
 patient for a Httle. There are tlie dog^s whom we have 
 bound out in the forest. If they die to-morrow we 
 con(|uer. If not "' 
 
 '*\\'e die. We shall tlo that. Listen to one of them 
 groannig. Is that the call of a dying man?" 
 
 He held up his hand anil pointed across the street, 
 and away across the enclosure where the executions 
 had taken place, to the forest beyond, and as he pointed 
 there came the call of a man in pain, strong and clear, 
 and full of power. 
 
 Dick shuddered, while the guards and their visitor 
 became suddenly silent. They had much to think 
 about, and could obtain little comfort from their wise 
 men and soothsayers. The auguries were all against 
 them. Strange things were happening. The tale was 
 abroad that a child had just been born who was able 
 to converse fluently immediately after its birth. Then 
 some falling star had struck the town. And nmv. the 
 men who had sat so patiently at the c<5ast. were ad- 
 vancing in spite of sacrifices, in spite of a liberal shed- 
 ding of blood. There was little comfort for the 
 Ashantis. Talking made matters worse. It was bet- 
 ter to go to the privacy of one's own hut and brcn^d 
 alone over the trouble. 
 
 Dick heard the stranger bid g(X>d-night. Then he 
 watched his figure disappearing. A minute later he 
 was on his feet, creeping across the dark patch of 
 ground intervening between his i)rison and the next 
 habitation, where James Langdon dwelt. 
 
 For a moment we must leave Dick, while we turn 
 
312 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 to the leader of the British expedition at the coast, and 
 see what arrangements he had made for the difficult 
 task before him. For this campaign was no trifling 
 affair. It was not an ordinary war, wherein battles 
 of great importance might be expected, with open fields 
 for manceuvring, but a conflict wherein our troops and 
 their leaders would have to engage with many unex- 
 pected difficulties, and meet face to face a danger 
 greater than that offered by the enemy. It was bad 
 enough at the coast, where there were cool, fresh 
 breezes on occasion, though to be sure the place had 
 well earned its name of "the white man's grave," but 
 up-country, in the forest and jungle, with its numerous 
 swamps, its unhealthy exhalations, its damp heat, and 
 its rotting vegetation, there lurked the germs of fever, 
 the worst form of ague, that fell disease which has 
 slain so many men of our race, and with which it may 
 be rightly said our scientists are only now becoming 
 fully acquainted. Its symptoms, its shivering attacks, 
 its racking fevers they know well, as intimately as they 
 can be known ; as also the fact that recurrences take 
 place, that many a man long since returned to England 
 has attacks of jungle fever, or whatever he may care 
 to term it. But the method of transmission of this 
 malady to human beings was not so certain a matter, 
 and few knew then rightly how to battle with it. It 
 was, in fact, the enemy to be contended with, and had 
 any one doubted that, he had only to ask at the coast 
 and sum up the number of men and officers already 
 placed Jiors de combat on its account. This was first 
 and foremost to be a doctors' war, and when all avail- 
 able precautions were taken, it became next a war 
 
King Ivoffcc, the Terrible 313 
 
 against furesi and jungle, and tlie f>jcs who nught be 
 lurking there. 
 
 To reach Kumasi was no Hglit undertaking, even it 
 no opposition were to be expected, and the decision to 
 advance upon it by land made the ditticully all the 
 greater. It would be hard to say who was responsible 
 for this, though it would seem that those at home, 
 wholly unacquainted with the coast perhaps, were al- 
 lowed to have a say in tlie matter. In any case ma- 
 terials were sent out fur erecting a light railway, and 
 were disembarked at great cost and labour. And with 
 what result? It was hard enough to cleave a path 
 thirty inches wide through the jungle and forest, let 
 alone one of five feet ; while the necessary transport 
 was not forthcoming. And so the railway material 
 lay where it had been landed, while labourers and car- 
 riers were employed from amongst the natives, hun- 
 dreds of whom had flocked to the town owing to the 
 incursions of the Ashantis. Sappers set them their 
 tasks, and as the weeks crept on a path was hewn 
 through the forest in a direct line to the Prahsu. 
 Sometimes open ground relieved the labour, and here 
 and there stations were formed, and food and ammuni- 
 tion collected. At last the bend of the river was 
 reached, and unhindered by the enemy, who were in 
 the vicinity, the sappers bridged it and laid out a little 
 town for the accommodation of the troops and the 
 small escort sent to defend this advance station. Final- 
 ly the promised troops came, and the advance com- 
 menced. Of the force engaged the bulk may be said 
 to have i^een British, for our native allies, with few 
 exceptions, proved useless cowards. A few men of the 
 
314 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 Assim tribe made excellent scouts under Lord Gifford, 
 while other natives did like service. But for fighting 
 the majority v^ere hopeless, and very rightly no de- 
 pendence was placed upon them. Elsewhere, operating 
 from another quarter, was a larger force of more re- 
 liable natives, from the Lagos district, close to Benim, 
 under command of Captain Glover, and though their 
 actions were of little service, a small portion of the 
 force was to be heard of later. They were operating 
 on the Rio Volta, the river forming the boundary be- 
 tween the Gold and Slave Coasts. 
 
 It must not be supposed that because the Ashantis, 
 who had invaded the protectorate, hesitated to interfere 
 with the working parties hewing a road to the Prahsu 
 and carrying supplies there, they did not come into 
 conflict with our marines and bluejackets who, in many 
 cases, formed the garrison at the depots which had 
 been fomied. Those at Dunquah, a place some twenty- 
 odd miles from the coast, had a smart brush with the 
 enemy, while at Abracampa a huge force of Ashantis, 
 numbering ten thousand at least, suddenly surrounded 
 the post. Like so many of the others, it was but a 
 native village, placed in a small natural clearing, and 
 now roughly fortified. The garrison was a very slender 
 one indeed, and yet in spite of that fact they held the 
 enemy at bay, killing very many of them. Time and 
 again the attacks were repeated, till at length rein- 
 forcements arrived, and taking the enemy unawares 
 dispersed them with great slaughter. In the enemy's 
 camp numerous rifles, guns, umbrellas and w^ar-drums 
 were found, besides evidences of sacrifices. In fact, 
 wherever the Ashantis had been, grim relics were left 
 
King Koffcc, tlic Terrible 315 
 
 behind, all of which only added to the keenness t)f our 
 men to reach Kumasi and put a stop to such Ijarbarities. 
 
 And now the prospect was brighter. The secf^nd 
 battalion of the Rifle Brig-ade was already 01 route, 
 while the Welsh Fusiliers and the Black Watch were a 
 little way in the rear. On the road also were Royal 
 Artillery, Engineers, Marines, surgeons, Commissariat 
 officers, and war correspondents, amongst the last the 
 familiar figure of G. A. Henty. whose name must be 
 well known to thousands and thousands of \yyys and 
 grown men, and whose active brain created heri^es in 
 every country and clime under the sun. 
 
 From Cape Coast Castle the troops marched to 
 Inquabin as a first stage, and from there through 
 various stations, all with more or less unpronounceable 
 names, till they came finally to the Prahsu, sixty-nine 
 miles from the sea. There they found Sir Garnet com- 
 pleting his preparations for the march upon Kumasi. 
 The troops had toiled for the most part in single file 
 along the narrow forest tracks, and they knew that 
 the same work was before them. But they did not 
 know what their leaders had taken to heart ; that the 
 forest on the far side of the river might and probably 
 did hide thousands of enemies, and that that tract 
 must be crossed, and the town of Kumasi captured 
 within the next fortnight. For already there were not 
 wanting signs that the rains were alx)ut to commence, 
 and when they set in tracks through the forests would 
 become swamps and narrow streams great swirling 
 rivers. Worse than all, rain and wet soon play havoc 
 with a man, and in a fever-stricken country, such as 
 the land of Ashanti. predispose to an immediate attack. 
 
3i6 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 Having dealt with the movement of the troops, and 
 shown how Sir Garnet and his men had dihgently 
 pushed forward to the Prahsu, and had, by dint of bush 
 fighting, and particularly by their actions at Dunquah 
 and Abracampa, driven the Ashantis from the pro- 
 tectorate, we can now return to Kumasi. 
 
 The night was rather dark, but fine. Overhead the 
 stars twinkled, and could be seen through the leaves 
 of the trees which lined the main street. One tree 
 grew in front of each house or hut, and was fetish or 
 sacred. At its roots were placed odd bits of crockery, 
 a rough doll-shaped image, and other objects, all re- 
 garded as fetish and likely to lull the anger of the 
 mighty fetish which kept the people in its grip, and 
 which held sway at the execution house and temple to 
 which Dick had been led. 
 
 "If it had been raining it would have been better, 
 perhaps," thought the escaping prisoner. "But I don't 
 know. All depends on the luck I have. The plan 
 may work well, and our friend may find himself caught 
 in a net of my weaving this time. If so, then I shall 
 not mind the light so much. Now for the chance to 
 enter." 
 
 He had crept across the open space between the two 
 huts, and was now close against the wattle wall behind 
 which James Langdon was sleeping. As he lay at 
 full length Dick could hear the ruffian's deep breathing, 
 and when a few minutes had passed could catch his 
 mutterings. He stirred, and Dick heard the soft bed 
 of palm-leaves, upon which he lay, rustle at the move- 
 ment. But our hero made no attempt at escape, nor 
 did he move from his position. He waited, as calmly 
 
King Koffee, tlic Terrible 317 
 
 as he could, though it was hard to smother his excite- 
 ment and still the thumping of his heart. There was 
 so much to be attempted, and sucii a terrible ordeal 
 to look forward to if he failed. Across his mind's 
 eye flashed the memory of that awful scene close to 
 the brass sacrificial bowl. The rows of intended vic- 
 tims, forced to look on at the sacrifice, their hunted 
 looks, and the agony on the face of the one about to be 
 sacrificed. Then there was the mob, with the warriors 
 dancing their wild dance of death and brandishing 
 their weapons; while in the background, smug and 
 complacent, like Nero of old. sat King Koffee. tall and 
 fat, nodding a sig"nal when the moment for execution 
 came. For half an hour, as Dick crouched in the 
 shadow, the memory of the horrid scene flitted contin- 
 uously before him. Then he stood up suddenly and 
 clenched his hands together. 
 
 "I won't let such things take my pluck away." he 
 said in a hoarse whisper. "I'll think of the friends on 
 the river and at the coast. This brute is responsible 
 for all my miseries, and it is his turn to suffer. He 
 has brought me here. Well, he shall help mc to re- 
 turn." 
 
 He pulled up the cuffs of his tattered sleeves. a» if 
 to prepare for a struggle, then he crept round to the 
 door of the house. There was a native stool there, a 
 heavy article, and he grasped it and lifted it well 
 above his head. Then, without hesitation, he knocked 
 loudly upon the door. 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 Dick Strikes a Blow 
 
 Bang! Dick's knuckles struck the door of the native 
 hut with a sharp rap, and he repeated the knock imme- 
 diately. Then he listened eagerly for some sound 
 from the sleeper within. There was no answering" 
 call, and nothing to denote that the man was there. 
 
 "Fast asleep," thought Dick. "But he is there, I 
 know, for on the far side I could hear his breathing. 
 I'll knock again." 
 
 He was in the very act of doing so when out of the 
 corner of his eye he caught sight of one of the drowsy 
 guards who lay beside the dying fire. The man had, 
 apparently, heard the knock, and had sat up now to 
 see what it meant. Then he sauntered towards the 
 prisoner's hut as if to investigate the matter. The 
 escaping prisoner's heart stood still, while his wits 
 worked rapidly. 
 
 "If I returned and crept through they might dis- 
 cover the opening, and then good-bye to liberty," he 
 thought. "If I stay here he will see me. I'll get be- 
 hind the hut, and if there is an alarm I'll run for it. 
 Yes, that will be the best plan." 
 
 318 
 
Dick Strikes a Blow 319 
 
 He watched the guard closely as he rose to his feet, 
 and then silently slid along l)ehind the hut. And as 
 he did so the native strolled towards the place where 
 the half-caste lived and peered at the door. Then he 
 retraced his steps to the prison, and throwing the catch 
 down, stared in. Once more the prisoner held his 
 breath while he tingled with excitement. He stood on 
 his toes, ready at the first alarm to sprint away down 
 the street, while his eye rapidly picked out the most 
 likely path to take. Then he heaved a sigh of relief, 
 relief the like of which none can appreciate but those 
 who have found themselves in similar positions. The 
 guard must have mistaken a shadow, perhaps a portion 
 of the palm-leaf l)ed. for the prisoner, and Ijeen satis- 
 fied. He emerged from the hut, and once more saun- 
 tered up to the door of the one in which James Langdon 
 lay. As he did so. a sound within told that the sleeper 
 had awakened. He stirred, came to the door and 
 threw it open, staring out at the man suspiciously. 
 
 "You knocked?" he exclaimed. 'Tt roused me. but 
 I was heavy with sleep and did not rise at once. What 
 is wrong? You have let the prisoner escape! Dog! 
 You have let him go at the very last moment !" 
 
 He sprang from the doorway and gripped the man 
 by the throat, digging his fingers in till the native 
 choked and dropped his musket. His eyes dilated : he 
 struggled with all his might, striking fiercely at the 
 half-caste, and then suddenly became limp. Indeed, 
 when James Langdon released his hold, the man fell 
 helpless to the ground. But it seemed that he was 
 more frightened than hurt, for Dick had long since 
 discovered that all in Kumasi treated the rascal who 
 
3 20 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 had decoyed him intO' captivity with unusual deference, 
 owing perhaps to his friendship with the King, though 
 of late his power had been declining as that of the 
 British rose. The native gasped, held up an arm, and 
 endeavoured to speak, while the half-caste stood over 
 him with the musket as if he would club his brains out 
 with the butt. 
 
 "Say he is gone and I will kill you on the spot," 
 growled the ruffian. "If he is safe, well and good. 
 You shall be uninjured. But why, then, did you 
 knock ?" 
 
 "Knock ! I was lying at the fire keeping watch on 
 the prison when I heard a sound and came to see what 
 it was. Doubtless, some one moved in a neighbour- 
 ing hut and disturbed me and you also. Then I went 
 to the prison, and found the dog there, fast asleep in 
 his corner." 
 
 "But some one knocked. I swear that. It roused 
 me, I tell you !" 
 
 The native rose feebly to his feet and glanced 
 askance at the half-caste. 
 
 "It must be as I say." he ventured. "The sound 
 came from some other hut. In any case, the prisoner 
 is safe." 
 
 He went off to his fire again, muttering beneath his 
 breath, for of late the ruffian who had taken up the 
 cause of the Ashantis had been somewhat curious in 
 his manner. Gathering troubles, perhaps an uneasy 
 conscience, and the ever-present dread of impending 
 punishment, which seemed to come closer and closer in 
 spite of all his efforts, were having their effect. His 
 temper was harsh and easily aroused, he was hard to 
 
Dick Strikes a Blow 321 
 
 please, and wurc nowadays a haggard l(H)k, >h«j\\ing 
 clearly that his sleep was disturbed. 
 
 "Dreams! dreams!" growled the sentry, as he took 
 his seat again. "Dreams and the fire-water which he 
 has been drinking. It is saitl that he and the King sit 
 in the palace of a night, smoking and taking fire-water. 
 No wonder he sees and hears things which do not exist. 
 I have felt the same myself." 
 
 And the same conclusion must have been dawning 
 upon the troubled mind of the rascal standing at his 
 door. He began to wonder whether he had actually 
 heard the knocking, or whether it was another of those 
 dreadful nightmares which had troubled him of late, 
 in which a huge bluejacket, with bristling beard, had 
 stood above him waiting for the word to thrust his 
 cutlass to his heart. He groaned, then stretched his 
 arms and yawned, and turned towards the prisoner's 
 hut. He walked a few paces in that direction, and, 
 seeming to change his mind and be satisfied with the 
 tale of the sentry, he turned about and entered the hut 
 again. Dick at once stole round to the door, his stool 
 still grasped in his hand. 
 
 "I would rather have it like that." he thought. "He 
 is awake and able to take care of himself. He had a 
 revolver strapped at his belt, and therefore is armed, 
 far better than I am. He shall have a glimpse of me. 
 
 and then Well, it is his life or mine, and I have 
 
 given him warning." 
 
 There was no time to hesitate, and though Dick 
 would have scorned to strike a defenceless man, he 
 had every excuse for making an attack upon this rascal 
 who had so often injured him. He hardened his 
 
32 2 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 heart, therefore, and having ascertained that the guard, 
 who had so recently appeared, was seated near the 
 fire some httle distance away, and with his back turned 
 in that direction, he shpped up to the door and knocked 
 ever so gently. 
 
 "Again! It is a knock! I am not mistaken. 
 Well!" 
 
 James Langdon, boiling over with indignation, and 
 with his fiery temper fully roused, strode to the door 
 revolver in hand and threw it open. Then he fell 
 back a pace in sheer amazement, while he stood for an 
 instant staring at the figure barring his path. Used to 
 the dense darkness of the interior of the native hut, his 
 eyes picked out the features of his prisoner almost 
 instantaneously. It was his turn to gasp this time. 
 The suddenness of the apparition took his breath away 
 and robbed him of his energy. Then, in a flash, he 
 realized that this must actually be his prisoner, the 
 youth to whom he put down all his miseries. A snarl 
 escaped him, and his fingers closed tighter on his 
 weapon. In less than a second he would have had it 
 at Dick's head and pulled the trigger had not the latter 
 acted. He was satisfied now ; he was attacking an 
 armed man who had due and proper warning. Dick 
 struck with the swiftness of lightning, the heavy stool 
 hitting the half-caste across forehead and face and 
 knocking him senseless. But the matter was not fin- 
 ished yet, and as the rascal fell, Dick was swift to fol- 
 low up his advantage. He clutched at the man and 
 lowered him gently to the floor. Then he took his re- 
 volver, and, throwing himself on his knees, peered out 
 at the sentry. The man had turned on his elbow and 
 
Dick Strikes a Blow 323 
 
 was looking towards the hut, for he had heard the 
 sound of the blow and he was not quite satisfied. 
 
 "Fig-hting with his shadow." he growled at length. 
 "It will be a good thing for us when the fire-water 
 kills him. or a British bullet settles his account. But 
 for him I should be sleeping in comfort, and not sit- 
 ting here, feeling as if 1 still had his fingers about my 
 gullet. Bah! Let him dream! Let him shoot him- 
 self if he wishes." 
 
 The fellow expressed little surprise when, snnie few 
 minutes later, the figure of the half-caste emerged from 
 the hut and stood out in the open. The native watched 
 him through half-closed eyes, while one hand sought 
 for his musket. 
 
 "At the risk of my life I will shoot him if he lays 
 a hand on me again." he said. "But it would lead to 
 certain execution." 
 
 The figure stood lolling against the wall of the hut, 
 with his hat drawn down over his eyes, his collar 
 turned up at his ears, while his hands were sunk in his 
 pockets. He was cold. He shivered and then stamped 
 his feet. A little later he began to pace backward 
 and forward, and as if a sudden thought had (x:curred 
 to him, went to the door of the prison. He threw 
 it open, glanced in, and then shut and barred the door 
 again with every sign of satisfaction. 
 
 "Safe and sound," he said. "He will not escape 
 the knife of the executioner. You can go. You and 
 your comrade. I cannot sleep, and will keep watch 
 myself." 
 
 Astonishment and delight were written on the fea- 
 tures of the guard, but he did not demur. The oppor- 
 
324 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 tnnity to be rid of a hated duty was too good to be 
 ignored, and at once, rousing his comrade, the two 
 went off down the street. And Dick watched them as 
 he lolled there, hands in his breeches pockets. He had 
 taken an enormous risk in acting as he had done, but 
 he felt that it was the surest way to regain his liberty. 
 He argued with much justice that dressed in the clothes 
 of the half-caste he would be taken for that rufifian, 
 while the darkness would hide all deficiencies. As to 
 the voice, he could simulate that. He could speak 
 grufliy, as if the night air affected his throat, while he 
 had sufficient command of the language now to carry 
 the plan out fully. And so far it had succeeded. 
 
 "\Miich means that my escape will probably not be 
 discovered till to-morrow morning. Perhaps not even 
 then. That will give me a start, and with a little luck 
 I shall be able to get well away. Now for food and 
 ammunition." 
 
 He dived into James Langdon's hut again, and 
 searched for the articles which he required. Some 
 minutes later he reappeared, and having ascertained 
 that the coast was clear, he strode down the wide street 
 of Kumasi, his eyes peering in all directions in search 
 of an enemy. He had arrived at a point only a little 
 distance removed from the opposite end of the town, 
 when a sound suddenly startled him. It was the voice 
 of a man in agony — a deep, heart-rending groan, 
 which brought him to an abrupt halt, and set him listen- 
 ing to its repetition. 
 
 "One of the poor beggars whom these ruffians tied 
 up in the forest to die," he said to himself. "If I could 
 I'd help him. But how can I manage such a thing? 
 
Dick Strikes a Blow j^2^ 
 
 I'd not leave this place without trying to rescue the 
 other Europeans if 1 thought that possible. But it's 
 not. They are scattered, and the attempt would be 
 fatal. My word! what cruelty!" 
 
 The groan came to his ears again, and after it a 
 second, deeper in tone, as though forced from the lips 
 of the wretch who uttered it by the utmost depths of 
 misery and pain. It was horrible! If Dick's blood 
 had stirred at the sight of the cruelties perpetrated by 
 the executioners, it boiled now at the thought of those 
 two unhappy natives, captives of the Ashantis. who 
 had been tied up in the forest, their cheeks perforated 
 with the knives to hold down the tongue so that they 
 could not talk, and left there to moan and die soon if 
 the fates were to be kind to Kumasi and its King, and 
 to the unfortunate victims also, or to live on in abject 
 suffering for many days, till thirst and starvation 
 brought unconsciousness. 
 
 "I'll go to them," he said, after a minute's thought. 
 "I can't leave this awful place with their groans in my 
 ears. I'll risk releasing them, and perhaps they may 
 help me." 
 
 His resolution was made and adhered to in spite of 
 the obvious delay and danger it would cause. But he 
 had a soft heart, and could not bear to think of such 
 miser)'. Turning aside he slipped down between two 
 of the houses and came to a fcetid stream, in which, no 
 doubt, lay the btjdies of many of yesterday's victims. 
 He crossed it in safety, standing Ixick a little way 
 and jumping as far as possible into the darkness. 
 Then there were other houses to pass, and another 
 row of dying embers, before none of which could he 
 
326 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 see a single Ashanti. They were all abed, and the 
 only denizens of this loathsome place who were awake 
 were a few stray mongrel curs, one of which started 
 from its lair beside one of the houses, and hearing the 
 thud of Dick's feet as he landed on the far side of the 
 stream, set up a loud barking, which was taken up 
 almost instantly by a score of others elsewhere. But 
 suddenly a gruff voice from within one of the huts 
 commanded silence, and the baying ceased. 
 
 "Then I can go on," said Dick. "I thought it was 
 going to lead to more trouble, for if the dogs were 
 to sight me they would follow, making enough 
 noise to awake the whole of the town. Here we 
 are. Here is the forest, and I fancy I am in the right 
 direction." 
 
 It was still very dark, and, in fact, had it not been 
 for the many fires, he would hardly have found his 
 way as he had done. Perhaps he would have blundered 
 against one of the huts, or even come upon some wan- 
 derer. Not that he would therefore have been discov- 
 ered to be an escaping prisoner. He would have car- 
 ried out his role of being the half-caste, and if that 
 failed there was the revolver. But fortune favoured 
 our hero on this occasion, and in a little while he 
 gained the forest and plunged into its black depths. 
 Groping his way blindly through it, striking his shins 
 against fallen boughs and trunks of trees, and some- 
 times almost breaking his head against similar obstruc- 
 tions, he finally found himself on a native path, along 
 which the way was easy. 
 
 "A piece of great luck," he thought, "and this prob- 
 ably leads to the spot where the poor fellows are im- 
 
Dick Strikes a Blow 327 
 
 prisoned. I'll keep along for a little, and then give 
 them a whistle." 
 
 But he had no need to do that, for after a little 
 while, when he had traversed some fifty yards or more, 
 the same miserahle groan came to his ear, and gave 
 him indisputable evidence of the proximity of the cap- 
 tives. A few minutes later he was close to them. and. 
 passing to the two trees to which they were Ix^-und, 
 ran his hands over their bodies. The miserable na- 
 tives had l)een placed some two feet from the ground 
 against the tmnks of enormous cotton trees, and tiieir 
 hands and feet had been dragged backwards by means 
 of ropes, and so tightly that they did not slip to the 
 ground. The agony of such a position can be imag- 
 ined, and if to that be added the torture of two native 
 knives thrust right through the cheeks, some estimate 
 can l)e obtained of the barbarities practised by the 
 Ashantis, of their insane and meaningless cruelty, and 
 of the urgent need there was for some more enlight- 
 ened nation to come to the town and stop the practice. 
 Dick slid his hand up to the check of the first of the 
 unhappy men. and gently withdrew the knives. Then 
 he spoke to him in low tones. 
 
 "Who are you?*" he asked, first in Ashanti. and then 
 in the Fanti tongue. 
 
 "We are Assims." came the answer, low and in- 
 distinct, for the knives had almost robbed the man of 
 the power of speech. "We were cai)tured months ago 
 and imprisoned at Kumasi. Who are you?" 
 
 "A white man from the coast, also a prisoner, till an 
 hour ago. Will you swear to follow me if I set you 
 free?" 
 
328 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 There was no mistaking the earnestness of the re- 
 ply, or the man's eagerness to be cut free of his lash- 
 ings. 
 
 "Release us, and we shall owe you our lives," he 
 answered. "We are set here to die, and if you give 
 us life and liberty, we will follow you and fight for 
 you. We are allies of the great white chiefs, and 
 you can trust us." 
 
 Without more ado Dick took one of the ghastly 
 knives and cut the man down, doing the same for his 
 comrade a minute later. Stretching them with all care 
 and gentleness on the ground, he set to work to rub 
 their limbs, for it was not so long ago that he had 
 experienced the cruel result of tight lashings. He had 
 known what it was to feel a tingling in his extremities, 
 and then acute pain, as if feet and hands would burst. 
 And later, when the cords were cut loose, the agony 
 of returning life to his limbs, the inability to move 
 finger or toe or to support his weight. And to cure 
 him the inhuman monster who had borne the name of 
 James Langdon had thrashed him till strength had 
 come. Well, the half-caste was dead. Dick had struck 
 him a blow which had crushed in his skull as if it had 
 been an egg-shell, and thinking of it now as he rubbed 
 the limbs of these poor fellows, he could only rejoice, 
 and congratulate himself that he had done bare justice. 
 
 "It was man to man," he thought. "He deserved 
 his death, and he had due warning. It was not as if I 
 had knocked and then struck him in the darkness of 
 the hut. I gave him a chance, and — well, the best man 
 won. Now, how are you both?" 
 
 The poor fellows were trembling with joy, and wept 
 
Dick Strikes a Blow 329 
 
 freely. By now they had reg"ained to some extent the 
 use of their hands, and they, too, rubbed at their feet 
 till they were able to stand and hobble a few paces. 
 
 "We will wait till you are quite able to walk." said 
 Dick. "We have far to go to-night, and it will \)Q 
 better to sacrihce a few minutes here than to lose them 
 on the road. Do not hurry. Soon you will be strong 
 again." 
 
 "We are fit to go now," at last said the spokesman 
 of the two. "Where will the white man turn his face?" 
 
 "To the Pra. Our troops are there, and if we can 
 meet them we are safe. Do either of you know the 
 road?" 
 
 There was an exclamation from both at once. 
 
 "We have marched it time and again." said one. 
 "As slaves we have accompanied the Ashanti armies, 
 and we can find tiie road even in the dark. But we 
 must be careful. There are thousands of men alx)ut, 
 and if we met them we should be killed." 
 
 "Then you will want weapons. Pick up the knives 
 and tuck them in your waist cloths. Xow lead the 
 way. Better still. We will cut a vine and hold on 
 to it. Then there will be no straggling." 
 
 A little later the three set out. the leader setting the 
 direction along the path without a moment's hesita- 
 tion. 
 
 "It will lead us to the main war road." he explained, 
 "and after that all will be easy. There is but one way 
 to the Pra, for the forest is too thick for many paths 
 to be cut. Follow, white chief, and I will take you to 
 the river." 
 
 All that night the trio kept on through the forest, 
 
330 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 their way made easy by the path cut and kept free of 
 undergrowth with constant labour. Now and again 
 they would call a halt, for the two captives whom Dick 
 had rescued were still very feeble, and their feet and 
 ankles were greatly swollen. But it is wonderful what 
 an amount of ill-treatment a native can put up w^ith at 
 times, and how marvellously they recover from the 
 most serious of wounds. True, they have as a rule 
 little stamina, and sickness cuts them down by the hun- 
 dred. But perhaps because of the life they lead these 
 natives of Africa often show less sensitiveness to pain 
 than do Europeans, and therefore can put up with 
 injuries w^hich with the majority of white men would 
 prove quickly fatal. And so, in spite of the hours 
 that these men had been dangling, they were able to 
 march, for the wounds in the cheeks were of small con- 
 sequence. When day dawned many miles intervened 
 between themselves and Kumasi. 
 
 "We will seek for a hiding place and rest," said 
 Dick, as the light beneath the trees grew stronger. 
 "As the afternoon comes we can push on again. Let 
 us gather some fruit and have a meal." 
 
 Late on the following afternoon three weary men, 
 one a white youth dressed in tattered clothing which 
 showed signs of much travelling, tottered across the 
 bridge which the engineers had erected across the 
 Prahsu, and made for the hutted camp of the British. 
 On all sides men were bustling to and fro. Natives 
 were carrying bales and boxes on their heads, sailors 
 and soldiers were lolling about the open camp fires, 
 smoking their pipes and yarning, while at the far side 
 of the bridge was a kilted sentry, striding to and fro. 
 
Dick Strikes a Blow 331 
 
 He stared at the new-comers, brought his rille from 
 the slope, and dropped the bayonet level with Dick's 
 chest. 
 
 "Xot so fast, me lad." he said g^ily. "Where from? 
 \\''hom do you want to see ? 'Alt, or there's going to 
 be trouble." 
 
 That brought them up suddenly and set Dick laugh- 
 ing. 
 
 "A fine welcome after two months' absence," he said. 
 "Sentry, I want to see the Chief of the Staff, and after 
 that Mr. Emmett. As for where I've come from, 
 Kumasi is the answer. Xow, how long have you been 
 here?" 
 
 "My business, young feller," was the reply, when 
 the sentry had recovered from his astonishment at 
 being answered in his own tongue, for Dick might 
 ha\e been of any nationality. "Yer want the chief, 
 do yer? 'Ere, Corporal McVittie, take these fellers to 
 the sergeant of the guard." 
 
 A little later our hero, with his two black compan- 
 ions, was being marched under escort in amongst the 
 huts, and was finally brought to a halt opposite a col- 
 lection of tents devoted to the use of the leaders of the 
 expedition. There were British officers standing or 
 sitting in front of many of these, while the dress of 
 some showed that they belonged to the Royal Xavy. 
 At one end of the line a Welsh Fusilier |)aced his soli- 
 tar}- Ijeat, while a blue-jacket, burly and heavily beard- 
 ed, did sentry duty at the other end. And it was this 
 latter individual who first recognized the new-comer. 
 
 "What's this!" he gasped, stepping a little way from 
 his beat. " 'Ere, sergeant, split me ! but that 'ere's 
 
33 2 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 ]\Ir. Stapleton ! Mr. Dick Stapleton ! Do yer 'ear 
 me?" 
 
 His face flushed red with indignation at the sight 
 presented to him, but disciphne was discipHne, and 
 already he had said too much. However, before the 
 sergeant of the guard could answer, a number of 
 officers emerged from a tent close by and faced the 
 white youth and natives under escort. There was a 
 loud exclamation of surprise, and in a moment Dick 
 was gripping the hand of the Chief of the Staff, while 
 close to him was Jack Emmett, bronzed with the sun, 
 eagerly waiting for his share in the greeting. 
 
 "Bless my life ! Dick Stapleton, reported as missing 
 on the river! Where on earth have you come from? 
 And looking so wan and thin, too !'' 
 
 "From Kumasi, sir. I was taken prisoner, and 
 escaped two nights ago. I brought these two Assims 
 along with me. They had been tied up in the forest 
 to see how long they could live without food and water, 
 I suppose so that the enemy might have some augury 
 of their fortunes. They know the ground perfectly, 
 sir. You asked for that information, and here it 
 is." 
 
 There was a commotion in the camp for more than 
 an hour, and as the night fell, and the men gathered 
 about their huge log fires, every tongue wagged on one 
 story alone. But the noise was greatest where the 
 bluejackets had their quarters, for there reclined the 
 crew of the launch which had returned so disconso- 
 lately from their quest up the river. As for Dick, he 
 had been feted by the officers, and ever since had been 
 engaged with the members of the staff, to whom he 
 
Dick Strikes a Blow 333 
 
 gave all his news of Kuiiiasi, and drew sketches of the 
 road leading to the town. 
 
 "You have our congratulations," said the Chief, as 
 he rose to bid him good night, "and I may say that 
 you have done us inestimable service, so much so that, 
 though it is not the usual custom, and is. indeed, an 
 exceptional occurrence, we shall send your name home 
 in our despatches. And now for to-morrow, when we 
 advance. You. with your two natives, will be well in 
 our front with the remaining scouts under Lord Gif- 
 ford and others. When you come to Kumasi you 
 may find it necessary to fall back on us for support." 
 
 "And if the Ashantis are in the same condition of 
 panic, may I advance, sir?" asked Dick, quietly. "I 
 have everv reason for asking the (question, for I know 
 roughly the whereabouts of the captives, and if I can 
 get in at an early hour, I may be able to save them." 
 
 "You shall have more men. You shall have your 
 old crew, my lad. I know well that you will lead them 
 discreetly. Save these prisoners for us, and you will 
 have completed some very fine work. There. Off 
 you go, Mr. Stapleton. I would willingly keep you 
 and listen to all you have to say, but I see that you are 
 very tired. And besides, we are ofT at cock-crow to- 
 morrow." 
 
 Once m<3re he shook hands with our hero and nodded 
 adieu. Then he stepped across to the tent occupied 
 by Sir Garnet, and told him of the remarkable occur- 
 rence. 
 
 "A really gallant and modest lad, General." he said, 
 feelingly. "1 could not be prouder of him had he been 
 my own son." 
 
3 34 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 When morning dawned on the following day the 
 hutted town was all bustle and hurry, and very soon 
 the bridge over the river resounded to the tramp of 
 many feet, for the punitive army was on the march. 
 The last stage of this short and historic campaign had 
 commenced. 
 
CHAPTER XX 
 The Destruction of Kiimasi 
 
 Excitement rose high early that morning- as the main 
 body of the British force crossed the bridge over the 
 Prahsu and began their invasion of Ashanti proper, 
 for stern fighting was expected. It was known now 
 that the protectorate on the coast side of the river was 
 freed of all enemies, so effective had been the opera- 
 tions carried out by Sir Garnet, and in addition, thanks 
 to the information supplied by Dick and his two men, 
 and by Lord Gifford, one of the most valuable oftkers 
 in this campaign, it was ascertained for certain that 
 the road on the Ashanti side, as far as a range of hills 
 known as the Adansi range, was also entirely clear. 
 Beyond that the enemy lurked, while there were ru- 
 mours that large Iwdies were operating on the flanks, 
 prepared to close in on us. 
 
 Not a snap of the fingers did our gallant fellows care 
 for this news. They itched to be at Kumasi, and in 
 their hearts all had registered a vow to strike hard in 
 the interests of mercy. For even the men who had 
 only recently landed, and who had marciicd directly 
 up-country, had seen sutTiciont to convince them that it 
 
 335 
 
336 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 was high time that King Koffee and his barbarians 
 were subjugated. On every road the Ashantis had 
 left their sacrifices, wretched slaves done to death with 
 horrible mutilations, or lashed to trees and left there to 
 die like those two poor fellows at Kumasi. And so 
 every man pressed forward eagerly, keen to reach 
 Kumasi and punish these miscreants, and then eager 
 to return to the coast again, for, despite quinine every 
 morning, and the most rigid adherence to special rules 
 to ward off the fever, that enemy already had a grip of 
 the attacking force. 
 
 Dick and his little band, accompanied by Jack Em- 
 mett and Johnnie, and with a naval officer in addition, 
 marched in the very centre of the road, wide awake, 
 and keenly searching every bush and every likely bit 
 of cover. As they advanced and the days passed they 
 joined with the troops in many little skirmishes in 
 which they drove the enemy back. At last, at a place 
 known as Amoaful, they gained information that the 
 Ashantis were in full force and sent back the news. 
 Indeed, from tidings which they and Lord Gifford had 
 gathered, there were at least twenty thousand Ashantis 
 barring the path. 
 
 "We shall see fighting, chief," said one of the men 
 whom Dick had rescued. "These Ashantis have chosen 
 well, for look at the bush. We have been crossing land 
 which is more or less open. But here it is very dense, 
 and though there are many paths through it they are 
 hard to follow. If we beat them now they are con- 
 quered altogether." 
 
 It was, as he had said, a most difficult piece of coun- 
 try, and on closer inspection it was found that the 
 
The Destruction ot kumasi ^^^j 
 
 paths to which the native had alluded were tracks 
 about eight feet wide, down which the rain rusiied in 
 torrents in th.e wet sea:.on. As a consecjuence these 
 paths had sunk considerably, leaving a narrow chan- 
 nel with steep banks, and on either side a dense and 
 almost impenetrable barrier of forest. Yet. from pre- 
 vious experience, it was known that the Ashantis could 
 and would make use of the forest, wriggling their way 
 through it with great rapidity. 
 
 It was obvious to all that the critical hour had ar- 
 rived, and very soon the orders for the advance were 
 issued. 
 
 "You will advance and get into touch directly in 
 your front," said the officer who came to Dick. "Fire 
 steadily, and move on very slowly, as otherwise you 
 may get ahead of the other detachments and nm the 
 danger of being cut off. Listen to the bugle calls, and 
 never fire unless you are sure that it is against the 
 enemy. It is so easy to jjecome confused in the bush. 
 Directly behind you will be the Highlanders, the Welsh 
 Fusiliers, some artiller\-. and a couple of small giins 
 and rocket-troughs. Be sure to notify your position 
 to them. On the left you w ill have the Xaval Brigade, 
 a native regiment, some engineers and rocket-troughs. 
 On the right there will 1^ the remainder of the Xaval 
 Brigade, some native levies and detachments of engi- 
 neers and artillery. There. You have the orders in 
 full, and may advance immediately." 
 
 Dick saluted and went Ixick to his men. and very 
 soon they were engaged with the enemy. As to the 
 other columns they broke into skirmishing order, and 
 \vent forward at a run till they gained the bush. Then 
 
33^ With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 the musketry duel became extremely fierce, the crackle 
 of firearms being incessant. There had been nothing 
 like it in the whole campaign before, for the enclosed 
 woods added to the roar of the rifles. Our troops 
 broke into section, three in advance of each company 
 and one in rear, as a support, and the men soon thrust 
 a passage for themselves through the jungle. But, 
 just as formerly, no enemy was visible. It was a duel 
 of sniders and rockets against guns firing slugs, and 
 our soldiers and sailors had only the smoke and the 
 flashes at which to aim. The air above them was 
 torn with hundreds of pellets, and on every side the 
 leaves and twigs fell like rain, cut and lacerated by 
 the missiles. Men and officers were struck in all di- 
 rections, and yet they persevered. At first it was very 
 slow w^ork, for the Ashantis clung to their posts in 
 spite of the heavy fire. However, w4ien some two 
 hours had passed, and Dick and his men, who were 
 now joined by the Highlanders, had advanced scarcely 
 more than a hundred yards, a gun and the rocket- 
 troughs came into action, the boom of the latter shak- 
 ing the forest. They were answered by a perfect babel 
 of shouts and the firing of thousands of guns, showing 
 clearly the strength of the enemy. Then, as the High- 
 landers pressed forward and the enemy retired, and 
 finally, as the bagpipes struck up, and the gallant Scots 
 got to their legs and charged down the position, the 
 Ashantis broke and ran for their lives. Meanwhile, 
 on the right and left flanks, our flanking parties were 
 being very heavily engaged at close quarters. At 
 length that on the left drove their enemy back, and 
 were able to advance, while on the right the Ashantis, 
 
The Destruction of Kumasi 339 
 
 probably ignorant of the fate of their comrades on the 
 other flank, held manfully to their position. Their 
 fire here was terrific, so rapid, in fact, that it was 
 thought that they must have slaves with them ready 
 to hand loaded muskets and reload those discharged. 
 However, as soon as the gims and rockets had got to 
 work the order was given to advance. And now, in 
 a few moments, the scene was changed. Hitherto our 
 men had been fighting more or less silently, their rifles 
 alone breaking the stillness, with an occasional boom 
 of a gun or rocket, or a bugle-call. But as the advance 
 was sounded, and the men plunged into the bush to 
 hunt the enemy from his favourite lair, there was a 
 British cheer, and then the roar of savage natives. The 
 dusky levies whom we had enlisted, and who had done 
 admirably in this acticai. were now the avengers. They 
 slung their muskets, drew their long knives and native 
 swords, and plunged with shrieks of delight into the 
 forest. And numbers of Ashantis died that day at 
 tb.eir hands, thereby paying the penalty of many an 
 atrocity. 
 
 The engagement had lasted fully five hours, and 
 during all that time Dick and his little party had kept 
 together, and had fired continuously. Thanks to their 
 previous experience, they were able to undertake this 
 new class of warfare with more knowledge than their 
 comrades. They kept in couples, and each couple re- 
 tained its touch with that on either side by means of 
 shouting, and in this order they left the tracks, and 
 crept right into the woods. 
 
 "Our own side know where we are and what we 
 are doing, so we will hold our fire whenever I signal." 
 
340 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 said Dick. 'That means advance again some thirty 
 yards, keep close to the ground. Then, when we are 
 quite near the enemy I will whistle, and we will pour 
 in our volleys." 
 
 For an hour it had been impossible to carry out this 
 manoeuvre, but gradually, as the Highlanders drove 
 the enemy farther into the woods, Dick and his men 
 advanced. Their method of attack proved disastrous 
 to the Ashantis, for on several occasions the latter 
 were so occupied with the fire from the Highlanders 
 that they did not notice the silent approach of the 
 sailors, and these men were able to get to quite close 
 quarters. Then Dick's whistle sounded, a terrific vol- 
 ley was poured in, and at once the whole party were 
 on their feet, charging down upon the enemy. 
 
 It was not a matter of surprise, after such a stern 
 engagement, to find that every one of this gallant band 
 was wounded, one sailor being entirely disabled by a 
 slug through his thigh. The remainder had many 
 wounds, but none of them were very serious; and 
 later, when the overworked surgeons had a moment 
 to spare, a few small dressings and strips of plaster 
 were sufficient. 
 
 In this battle two hundred and fifty of our force 
 were wounded or killed, the latter numbering, fortu- 
 nately, only two. The loss of the enemy was very 
 great, though the actual number could not be ascer- 
 tained, owing to their custom of removing the bodies 
 wherever possible. Still, there were sufficient left in 
 the forest and on the tracks to show that their killed 
 had been very numerous. 
 
 "And now for Kumasi," said Dick, as he and his 
 
The Destruction ot Ivumasi 341 
 
 men threw themselves on tlie ground and prepared to 
 sleep. "In four days we should be there if the enemy 
 do not stop us. My lads, you'd better pull your belts 
 a little tighter, for the baggage is nut up yet, and \ve 
 have no rations left." 
 
 It was the same with the whole force who had been 
 in the fight; and on that night they lay down supper- 
 less, and slept just where they had fought. Dick and 
 his men, however, contrived to fare a little better, for 
 they had the wily Johnnie with them. 
 
 "Yo stay still like so," he said, as he strutted up to 
 his leader. "Johnnie see to food. Plenty in de forest. 
 Soon fetch him." 
 
 He was as good as his word, for very soon he came 
 back with a number of plantains, and, splitting these, 
 roasted them before the fire which had been made at 
 the foot of a cotton tree. The meal was a welcome one, 
 though not so nice as rations would have Ijeen on this 
 night. However, the soldier and the sailor alike have 
 to take matters as they come when on service, and the 
 cheery spirits of the men of the navy were not damped 
 in the least. 
 
 On the following day the advance again commenced, 
 and four days later, having had one very serious 
 meeting with the Ashantis. commanded by King 
 KofTee in person, the trcjops arrived within a mile of 
 Kumasi 
 
 "We halt here for half an hour." said an otVicer to 
 Dick, as he lay in the bush with his men. "We have 
 had a flag in from King Koflfee. and have given him 
 that time to surrender." 
 
 "Then 1 will creep forward and see that all is clear," 
 
342 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 was our hero's answer. "I have permission to do so 
 from the general." 
 
 "In that case you may advance. But be cautious, 
 Stapleton. There are thousands of the enemy every- 
 where, and it would be better to have the Highlanders 
 near at hand." 
 
 He left the little party marvelling at the dash of this 
 civilian soldier. But he knew what Dick's object was, 
 and, with hmi, feared lest on the arrival of the force, 
 they should find the Europeans massacred. Dick and 
 his gallant little band, led by the natives whom he had 
 rescued from Kumasi, at once took to the forest again, 
 and carefully crept through it on hands and knees. No 
 one ventured to speak a syllable, and whenever it was 
 necessary to issue an order our hero raised his hand, 
 gathered the men close to him, and signalled. And 
 in this way, passing betw^een vast bodies of fleeing 
 Ashantis, \vho were so intent on procuring their own 
 safety, that they failed to detect the presence of the 
 British, the party came at length to the verge of the 
 pestilential swamp which borders the town on one side. 
 Not till then, perhaps, did the bluejackets fully compre- 
 hend the force of the tale which Dick had told them. 
 It was only w^ien they came actually to this spot 
 and saw the awful results of the frequent execu- 
 tions which took place at this loathsome town, 
 that they realized the agony suffered there, and 
 the need there was to put a summary end to it all. 
 Their teeth closed tight, and they gripped their rifles 
 nervously. 
 
 "If they'd only stand, the cruel-hearted brutes," 
 whispered one of the men, "we'd jest give 'em sacrifice. 
 
The Destruction of Kiimasi ^^^ 
 
 This here place smells of the dead. Pah! I shall Ite 
 glad when we're quit of it." 
 
 "Silence! The half-hour is up now. and in a little 
 while we shall hear the bugle for the advance. We will 
 march into the town at once, and shoot down any who 
 oppose us. These natives know where the European 
 prisoners are, and will lead us to them. As each is 
 found, bring him along with us till we come to the 
 last. Ah ! That's the bugle." 
 
 Over the summit of the dense forest the faint notes 
 came, sounding the last advance movement of the 
 troops, and the knell of the blood-stained town of 
 Kumasi. Dick and his men rose to their feet, skirted 
 the marsh, and within ten minutes were in the town. 
 The native guides led them at once to the quarter in 
 which the prisoners were Lxated. Xor were they too 
 soon by any means. For Kumasi was gone mad. 
 Thousands of figures fled through the wide streets to 
 the forest teyond. while a party, some two hundre<l 
 strong, told off for the purpose, no doubt, by King 
 Koffee, were even then dragging the European cap- 
 tives from the prisons with the intention of conveying 
 them to the temple of sacrifice. 
 
 "Charge!" shouted Dick, as he came in sight of the 
 force, and at once, with a mighty cheer, the band of 
 sailors and young officers broke into a run. .\nd as 
 they went, at an order from their leader, they pulled 
 their triggers without lifting their rifles to their shoul- 
 ders, sending a shower of bullets into the enemy. Tlic 
 Ashantis broke immediately and ran for their 
 lives. Dick and his men at once surrounded the 
 prisoners. 
 
344 With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 "Good gracious ! The last of the prisoners ! How 
 did you manage to get away ?" 
 
 Dick turned to find the very European wlio had 
 spoken to him when a prisoner in Kumasi, and at once 
 rushed forward to shake him by the hand. 
 
 "I cut my way out," he answered, "and — well, here 
 I am, while the troops are just behind us. We have 
 beaten the Ashantis handsomely, and they are in full 
 flight." 
 
 "While we are safe, thanks to you,'' replied the 
 other, gripping Dick's hand enthusiastically. "I heard 
 the order given to those fellows who have just bolted. 
 They were to take us to the execution hut and kill 
 us. A pleasant prospect from which you have 
 saved us ! I thank you for all of my comrades and for 
 myself." 
 
 "Then there are four of you in all?" said Dick, as 
 he counted the prisoners off and shook each by the 
 hand. 
 
 "Five," corrected the other. "The last is ill, poor 
 chap. He lies over here in a hut set by itself. I will 
 lead the way." 
 
 Still accompanied by the sailors, the party of rescued 
 prisoners crossed the street to a hut close to the swamp. 
 And there, a mere skeleton now, after weeks of the 
 terrible African fever, and lying on a bed of palm 
 leaves, was ]\Ieinhcer \''an Somering, hardly recog- 
 nizable, too weak and ill to speak. 
 
 There is little more to tell of Kumasi. Our troops 
 marched in within the hour of Dick's arrival and occu- 
 pied the town. On the following day. King Kofifee 
 still failing to send in his messengers of peace, the 
 
The Destruction of Kumasi 345 
 
 place was burned to the ground, only tliree houses 
 escaping. 
 
 Then the troops turned their faces to the coast and 
 commenced their long march back. And, as it proved, 
 the return journey was not begini a moment too soon, 
 for the rains commenced in earnest, and ere the coast 
 was reached the men had to march along forest paths 
 thick with mud. and perhni)S covered by three feet of 
 water. Where before had been smooth grass land was 
 now a swamp, extending for considerable distances. 
 Then. too. at the rivers, it was found that the bridges 
 erected by the sappers with so much skill were already 
 useless, or washed away. So the fine body of men. 
 all more or less wounded, had to wade across, carrying 
 their ritles alxjve their heads. As for the sick, they 
 were borne in hammocks, and in this manner Meinheer 
 V^an Somering reached the coast and was straightway 
 put on board ship. Dick and Mr. Pepson joined him 
 there, with Johnnie to act as servant. Of the gallant 
 troops and bluejackets who ti^ok part in the campaign, 
 a large number were stricken down with fe\er, and of 
 these a large proportion died. 
 
 Never before perhaps had a campaign been con- 
 ducted where such difikulties had to lie contended with ; 
 and when one comes to consider the distance Kumasi 
 lies from the coast, the cxtctit and depth of the forests, 
 and the extraordinary nature of the tighting. one is 
 bound to admit that never before or since have our 
 men showed more courage an<l persistence, while our 
 officers and their gallant leader couhl not have dis- 
 played greater skill and foresight. 
 
 Dick returned no mure to the white man's grave. 
 
34^ With Wolseley to Kumasi 
 
 His health had been considerably impaired by his resi- 
 dence there, and, besides, he found work awaiting him 
 in England. For Mr. Pepson was a wealthy man, and 
 had need of a partner in his business. 
 
 "Not a word," he exclaimed when Dick attempted 
 to thank him. "If I cannot do this for one who has 
 fought my battles so well, I should indeed be ungrate- 
 ful. You deserve all that I offer, and I am sure that 
 you will make an excellent partner." 
 
 And this seemed to be the opinion also of Mr. Pep- 
 son's niece, a very charming girl some two years Dick's 
 junior, 
 
 "Go to Africa again, Dick !" she exclaimed, when 
 he broached the subject, "That I forbid, because 
 uncle tells me that the climate would kill you. And 
 he says that he needs you here in his business. Surely 
 that is reason enough for your remaining." 
 
 There was a pretty little smile about the corners of 
 her mouth as she said the words, and curiously enough, 
 Dick, the stublx)rn, who had made up his mind to a 
 thing out in Ashanti and had carried it out. whatever 
 the danger and difficulty, gave way with the best of 
 grace and with an answering smile which spoke vol- 
 umes. Need the reader feel surprise when he hears 
 that Dick first made his position strong in Mr. Pep- 
 son's business, proving without a doubt that he was of 
 the greatest value, and that then he asked his fair 
 friend a little question ? 
 
 He has been married for many years now, and rents 
 a fine place an hour's run from London. But once in 
 each year our hero is wont to run up to the capital, 
 there to meet a select party of friends, all of whom had 
 
The Destruction ot Kuiiuisi 347 
 
 I;cen engaged in that fierce campaign in Aslianti. I'a- 
 niiliar faces are there, and many of the breasts which 
 in that day boasted Init a single decoration, now gleam 
 with miniatnre medals. Dick wears a single Iwdge, 
 the medal presented to civilian fighters. Bnt he and 
 his deeds are not forgotten. There are always the 
 heartiest greetings awaiting him. and. indeed, such is 
 his popularity, and so well are his brave deeds remem- 
 bered, that when his erect and well-known figure enters 
 the room in which the gathering takes i)lace. there is 
 a general turning of heads, eager conversati(»ns are 
 suddenly arrested, and all advance to grip his haufl. 
 There is no need for the butler at the door to announce 
 liim. for to every one this tall and unassuming gentle- 
 man is known. They smile a real welcome to him, 
 and then the buzz of their voices breaks out again: 
 "It's Stapleton — gallant Dick Stapleton." 
 
 THK END 
 
"««^^UB«MraceEBKaEr 
 
 B000^5fl^