e desire for more. It engenders a feeling of pride and
superiority in the savage breast, and it is hardly to be wondered at
that the Ashantis, looking about them and comparing their own degree of
comfort and civilisation with that of their less fortunate neighbours,
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 realised 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 the Ashantis. Now, however,
Britain, being in possession 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 settled with the King of
Ashanti. For if he had a grievance, so also had we. For years we had
been on bad terms, and how, 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 Koffee 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
Koffee, 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 organised, 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 attacked
the Fantis and other tribes, there was no reason why we should send
troops to this notoriously unhealthy coast, and fight their battles.
Thus it happened that matters at Cape Coast dragged on, while all trade
with the interi