nning our
country; and in 1873 a large force crossed the Prah and fell upon the
villages of the Fantis, as the natives of this part under British
protection are called. The natives of the protectorate having for very
many years been prevented from fighting among themselves, had lost all
their national virtues of bravery, and the consequence was that they
were utterly unable to withstand the advance of the Ashantis.

The only forces at the command of the governor were some companies of
the 2nd West India Regiment, a body of Fanti police, and a small force
of Houssas, an extremely brave and warlike people living near Lagos,
ready at all times to enlist where fighting is likely to go on. This
little force was commanded by Lieutenant Hopkins; but, when the Ashantis
approached, the great body of our Fanti allies, after fighting for a few
hours, fled, and Lieutenant Hopkins, being unable with so small a force
to withstand the approach of the enemy, fell back. The Ashantis took
possession of Dunquah, and thence threatened both Elmina and Cape Coast
Castle. The castle itself was originally strong, and was still in
sufficiently good repair to resist any attack that the enemy were likely
to make upon it, but the town was entirely incapable of defence; and had
the Ashantis pushed on after their victory, there can be little doubt
that both Cape Coast and Elmina would have fallen into their hands.

Fortunately, however, HMS _Baracouta_, Captain Freemantle, arrived upon
the spot, and a body of 110 marines under the command of Lieutenant--
Colonel Festing, of the Royal Marine Artillery, was landed. Martial law
was proclaimed. The inhabitants of the native town of Elmina rose; but
the _Baracouta_ bombarded the place, and set it on fire, and the natives
retired to join their Ashanti friends in the woods. These were now
approaching the town; and Colonel Festing landed with the marines and
marine artillerymen, a party of bluejackets belonging to the _Baracouta,
Druid, Seagull_, and _Argus_, under Captain Freemantle, some men of the
2nd West India Regiment, and a body of Houssas. The Ashantis, some 2000
in number, marched boldly along, and attempted to outflank the position
occupied by the English.

In this they would have succeeded had not Lieutenant Wells of the
_Baracouta_ opened fire upon them with a very heavy fire of Sniders on
the part of his tars. The head of the column was arrested, and Colonel
Festing, advancing upon t