"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 word,
you've done well."

Dick went as red as the cummerbund about his waist, and felt horribly
confused. Then, at the invitation of 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 Commodore," 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 had 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 Navy had
had an action with them.

"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 formidable. 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 reinforcements arrive. Then