lt from European
designs. It was square, with a flat roof and embattled parapet. They
were conducted through the gateway into a large courtyard, and then into
a hall where the king sat upon a raised throne. Attendants stood round
fanning him.

"Why," he asked abruptly as they took their places before him, "do the
English take my town of Elmina?"

Mr. Goodenough explained that he had been nine months absent from the
coast, and that having come straight out from England he was altogether
unaware of what had happened at Elmina.

"Elmina is mine," the king said. "The Dutch, who were my tributaries,
had no right to hand it over to the English."

"But I understood, your majesty, that the English were ready to pay an
annual sum, even larger than that which the Dutch have contributed."

"I do not want money," the king said. "I have gold in plenty. There
are places in my dominions where ten men in a day can wash a thousand
ounces. I want Elmina, I want to trade with the coast."

"But the English will give your majesty every facility for trade."

"But suppose we quarrel," the king said, "they can stop powder and guns
from coming up. If Elmina were mine I could bring up guns and powder at
all times."

"Your majesty would be no better off," Mr. Goodenough said; "for the
English in case of war could stop supplies from entering."

"My people will drive them into the sea," the king said. "We have been
troubled with them too long. They can make guns, but they cannot fight.
My people will eat them up. We fought them before; and see," he said
pointing to a great drum, from the edge of which hung a dozen human
skulls, "the heads of the White men serve to make a fetish for me."

He then waved his hand to signify that the audience was terminated.

"Things look bad, Frank," Mr. Goodenough said as they walked towards
their home. "I fear that the king is determined upon war, and if so our
lives are not worth a month's purchase."

"It can't be helped," Frank said as cheerfully as he could. "We
must make the best of it. Perhaps something may occur to improve our
position."

The next day the four German missionaries, who had so long been kept
captive, called upon them, and they obtained a full insight into the
position. This seemed more hopeful than the king's words had given them
to expect. The missionaries said that negotiations were going on for
their release, and that they expected very shortly to be sent down to
Cape Coast. S