er
harmless rites. The chiefs, greatly indignant at this breach of the
agreement, solemnly entered into with them, at once, on leaving the
council, wrote to the King of Ashanti, begging him to cross the Prah and
attack the English. Frank could only say that he knew nothing of what
was going on at the coast, and could only think that his majesty must
have been misinformed, as the English wished to be friendly with the
Ashantis.

"They do not wish it," the king said furiously; "they are liars."

A buzz of approval sounded among the cabooceers and captains standing
round. Frank thought that he was about to be ordered to instant
execution, and grasped a revolver, which he held in his pocket,
resolving to shoot the king first, and then to blow out his own brains,
rather than to be put to the horrible tortures which in Ashanti always
precede death.

Presently the king said suddenly to him:

"My people tell me that you can talk to them in their own tongue."

"I have learnt a little Ashanti," Frank said in that language. "I cannot
talk well, but I can make myself understood."

"Very well," the king said. "Then I shall send you down with my general.
You know the ways of English fighting, and will tell him what is best
to do against them. When the war is over and I have driven the English
away, I will send you away also. You are my guest, and I do not wish to
harm you. Tomorrow you will start. Your goods will be of no more use to
you. I have ordered my treasurer to count the cloth, and the powder, and
the other things which you have, and to pay you for them in gold. You
may go."

Frank retired, vowing in his heart that no information as to the best
way of attacking the English should be obtained from him. Upon the whole
he was much pleased at the order, for he thought that some way of making
his escape might present itself. Such was also the opinion of Ostik when
Frank told him what had taken place at the palace.

An hour later the king's treasurer arrived. The whole of the trade goods
were appraised at fair prices, and even the cases were paid for, as the
treasurer said that these would be good for keeping the king's state
robes. Frank only retained his own portmanteau with clothes, his bed and
rugs, and the journals of the expedition, a supply of ammunition for his
revolver, his medicine chest, tent, and a case with chocolate, preserved
milk, tea, biscuits, rice, and a couple of bottles of brandy.

In the morning the