s 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 busily 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
surroundings, 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 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 meetings, and at once stood at attention, his hat
in his hand. By now he had become used to official matters and people,
and th