y be a reverse, for one cannot hope for continued good fortune.
But 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 administration 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 common foe.

Britain had had trouble with the men of Ashanti before this time, when
Dick Stapleton had been practically 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 civilisation. 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-stuffs and cottons, and what was appreciated far more perhaps,
slaves in plenty. And in return the men who brought 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-off 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, guns and ammunition. For much wealth
brings th