"Here is the letter, sir, which the Commodore gave me to carry to the
Governor," said Dick, as he and Mr Pepson took up the conversation of
the previous day. "He offered me a post with the expedition which will
be sent to Kumasi, and I declined it until I had seen my employers.
What are your wishes in the matter?"
"That you should go," was the prompt reply. "My inclination at first
when I returned here was to go back to England at once, for I began to
hate this country. But I thought of you, and I stayed on the chance of
your turning up. Now I think of Meinheer. I give you full permission
to take this post, with the agreement that you still remain my agent,
and draw your salary. That will be a retaining fee, for when the war is
over I shall want you again. There, you are free to go, and I am sure
you will do much for our cause."
That afternoon Dick appeared at Government House, a familiar place to
him, and handed his letter to the Governor, who was delighted to see
him.
"Of course we shall be glad to have you," he said, "and I will send
along an official appointment this evening, stating your pay and
allowance. For the present there is nothing for you to do, save perhaps
to ascertain from the natives what is the present whereabouts of the
Ashantis. When Sir Garnet Wolseley arrives he will no doubt have work
for you. You look thin and pale. Take a rest, my boy. A white man
cannot work for so long out here in the forest without feeling the
effects of the climate."
But Dick Stapleton was young and inclined at times to be foolhardy. He
had the objection to remaining still common to every lad of his age. He
loathed molly-coddling, and though at times he felt feverish, his
stubborn nature would not let him give in, lest he should be thought to
be shamming. And so, within a few days of his arrival back at the
coast, he was exploring the mouth of the Pra once more, with Johnnie as
stoker, and a crew of ten bluejackets from the _Rattlesnake_, all intent
upon a brush with the enemy.
"Pending the arrival of Sir Garnet and the troops, you will do your
utmost to obtain tidings of the enemy," said the Commodore, as he bade
farewell to our hero. "And above all, Dick, no meetings with armies, if
you please. You have as complete a selection of stores aboard as we
could think of, and your crew are all picked men. Make the
_Rattlesnake_ your headquarters, returning here with news whenever you
can."
And so Dick set off, in command of an expedition for the first time, and
a proud man he felt, too, as he sat at the tiller, with his eye on his
fine crew. But he had only ascended a very few miles of the river Pra
when he met with an enemy even more dangerous than the Ashantis. One
morning, as he sprawled on the deck to eat his breakfast, he was seized
with a curious sensation.
"What is there, Johnnie?" he asked listlessly, toying with the pocket
fork and knife which all campaigners carry.
"Hot coffee, massa, berry hot; and golly! look at dem tinned sausages!
Johnnie take dem from de tin jest now, and look how dey frizzle!"
Dick did look, and on another occasion he would have fallen upon the
food with eagerness, for an expedition of any sort encourages a healthy
appetite. But this morning, strangely enough, he could not eat. The
sight of food sickened him. He pushed his plate away and took to his
pipe. Even that did not please him. The taste was all wrong, and he
sat down, looking dejected, for the first time for many a day. Then he
commenced to shiver, till his teeth rattled together like castanets.
"'E's got it, sure enough," whispered one of the salts, an old hand on
the coast. "This cruise 'as come to a end, chummies. Look at 'im
shiverin'. It's a bit of bad luck, mates, 'cos 'e was the boy to show
us some fun. Beg pardon, sir," he went on, coming to Dick's side, "but
ain't yer feeling quite up to it? Let's feel yer 'and."
Without further ceremony he took the hand which hung listlessly at his
young commander's side, and put his finger on the pulse, at the wrist,
for this tar had had some instruction, and was an intelligent fellow.
Then he turned to one of his mates, "Fetch along that 'ere medicine
pannier," he said shortly. "Now, then, open it carefully, and jest lift
out that 'ere box. If yer please, sir, jest put this under yer tongue."
With deft fingers he produced a thermometer from the medicine chest, and
placed it in Dick's mouth. Three minutes later he inspected it, while
the look on his jolly face turned to one of concern.
"Are yer cold, sir?" he asked sympathetically.
"No; but awfully hot. I'm burning all over," was the answer. "And I'm
very thirsty."
"And you've got a temperature. Tom Huggins there, 'bout ship; and,
Johnnie, let 'er skip till we're out of the river. The orfficer's got a
go of fever, and sooner he's aboard the _Rattlesnake_ and at sea the
better for him and all of us. I'll get yer a blanket, sir, and make yer
comfortable."
They were all very good to their young commander, and took care of him
as if he were a child, till they reached the open sea and espied the
_Rattlesnake_. An hour later he was lying on the after deck beneath an
awning, tossing with fever, and with an orderly from the sick bay told
off to keep special watch and ward over him. For Dick had a severe
attack. The responsible work at the stockade, the fear of a sudden
appearance of the enemy, and the flight had all aided a notoriously bad
climate. And at last he was down with malaria, which kept him aboard
the ship for a month.
While he is lying there, with plenty of friends about him to see to his
welfare, we will step aside for a little while, and review matters at
the coast. War, for war's sake, is seldom waged, except amongst savage
tribes. And even with them there is usually some grievance, some cause
which leads to the outbreak of hostilities. It may be that more country
is desired, that the men of a certain tribe desire to take wives from
another, or that some injury done to a nation or a race years and years
before has left a feeling of bitterness and a desire for vengeance; a
grudge is owed, and is paid back at the first moment when those who have
sustained the injury are strong enough to fight. But Britain does not
conduct her wars in that manner. The numerous little expeditions and
minor campaigns upon which she is so often engaged are almost invariably
the direct result of molestation from some race living on her borders.
For years, perhaps, she has patiently suffered the injury, hoping by
diplomacy to put an end to the whole trouble. Then, when her patience
is exhausted, and diplomacy has failed; or when the aggressors have
become still more audacious, she finds that war is necessary, that
nothing but armed interference will bring peace to that particular
border. Too often her patience and forbearance have been mistaken by an
untutored race for weakness, and thus it happens that the foes she has
to meet are more numerous than they might have been. However, the
history of these small wars is, as a rule, so very similar that one
campaign differs only in detail from another. Troops are sent to the
part, there is an invasion, and, most likely, severe fighting. Villages
are taken and burned, forts are stormed, and men killed and captured.
There may 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 the 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 interior ceased.
If the invasion of the protectorate had ended with an attack upon the
Fantis and other races, Britain might well have continued her policy of
aloofness, for she had nothing to gain by invading Ashanti. She had
tried to do so on former occasions, and had failed disastrously. And so
she was minded now to leave matters till King Koffee and his armies had
settled their quarrel with their neighbours, when perhaps there would be
a satisfactory ending to the negotiations, and peace would result. Then
trade would be reopened, guns and ammunition excepted, and the white men
on the coast would have ample opportunities of reaping a harvest, for,
as has been said, Ashanti was a wealthy country. However, matters did
not stop at invasion of our protectorate. While Dick was at the mine,
looking after the affairs of his employers, the forces of King Koffee
attacked Elmina. They induced the natives of that town and other places
bought by us from the Dutch, to join them, and Britain suddenly awakened
to the fact that the enemy was at her very door, and that they meant to
wage war with the white man. If there had been any doubt as to the
intentions of the Ashantis, the attacks made by their friends and allies
on the boats of the _Rattlesnake_ were sufficiently convincing proofs.
It was war, and Britain found herself, as is too often the case, utterly
unprepared for it. But she girded on her sword, and preparations were
pushed forward so as to enable us to drive the Ashantis back, and march
on their capital.
That was the condition of affairs existing when Dick reached the coast,
and it was only because of the isolated position of the mine that he had
failed to hear earlier of the Ashanti invasion. There were few troops
at Cape Coast Castle, and few officers. There were practically no
stores, and certainly insufficient to support an expedition. All was
being prepared in Britain, while ships were loading every sort of item
likely to be serviceable in the coming campaign.
Sir Garnet Wolseley, a brilliant officer, and one of our youngest
generals, had been chosen to command, while a staff of officers had been
appointed who would help him in the campaign and make success as sure as
possible.
And now a few words more before we leave the subject of Ashanti history.
Cape Coast Castle was settled by the Portuguese, and was ceded to the
Dutch in 1641. In 1655 we captured it, and it was secured to Britain by
treaty. Thus, at the time of this outbreak, we had been in possession
for more than two hundred years. And what had we done during that time?
The reader who is accustomed to the tale of British progress in our
Colonies and India, in fact, in any part where men of our race gather,
might well expect to find improvement here also. But such was not the
case. Cape Coast Castle at this moment was much the same as it had been
when we took it from the Dutch. No efforts had been made to clear the
forest, and to provide an open space. The town was as unhealthy a place
as could well be found. Trade flourished to a certain extent, but might
have been vastly improved. And lastly, we might have encouraged the
advances of the powerful Ashantis, and thereby gained a vast trade. We
might have opened up roads to the interior, and dredged the rivers, thus
enabling our own manufactures to find a market, and in place of sending
numerous presents to the reigning monarch of Ashanti, with a view to
conciliating him, we might very well have made a treaty with him,
whereby commerce might have been improved on both sides. Both those who
ruled British affairs on the Gold Coast practised a short-sighted
policy, with the result that we had come into conflict on at least four
occasions with the Ashantis, and on nearly all these occasions the
question between the two nations was one of commerce. The powerful
Ashantis were impatient of the white man's interference. We blocked the
way to the sea, and the people of Kumasi desired a free opening, by
means of which they might exchange home products for guns and other
items much in request by them.
And now the position was precisely the same, only the purchase of Elmina
had brought matters to a head. King Koffee had demanded the fort there,
claiming that it was his, and had been met with curt refusal. Then, it
is said, our Governor on the Gold Coast attempted to interfere with the
barbarous customs of the Elminas, a mixed race inhabiting the
neighbourhood of the town. This people had never encountered difficulty
on the same score from the Dutch, and they naturally resented the
action. More than likely also they were bribed by the Ashantis. But,
as has been seen, they promptly retaliated by throwing in their lot with
King Koffee, and by inviting him to invade the protectorate. And that
invasion had carried the Ashantis up to the very edge of Cape Coast
Castle, and had resulted in a bombardment of Elmina. Then matters had
settled for a time, and little was heard of the armies of the potentate
of Kumasi, till our hero rushed down upon them on the Prahsu. But for
that chance meeting and the outrageous ambush laid for the sailors,
those in authority at Cape Coast Castle would have still gone on with
the comfortable thought that King Koffee meant no great harm to the
white men. True, he had joined with the Elminas, and there had been an
incursion of his armies to that place, necessitating an attack by the
guns of the fleet. But he had since disappeared, and though complaints
came from the Fantis and others that they were still suffering, there
was no evidence of that fact at the coast. It seemed, indeed, as if the
trouble were subsiding, and as if King Koffee realised the hopelessness
of the struggle. It was thought that he would treat with the Government
again, and would hand over the captives; then a treaty could be made
with him, and trade be revived. Meanwhile it was risky to ascend the
Pra, or enter the country of Ashanti. Think, then, of the astonishment
of the officials on the coast when Dick returned with his news, when,
added to the treacherous attack made upon the Navy, resulting in such
severe losses, came definite news of a large Ashanti army on the Prahsu.
And very soon the advance of this same army was reported by friendly
natives, so that there could no longer be any doubt that serious trouble
was impending. The eyes of those in authority opened very wide indeed.
Already it had been decided that troops were wanted; but now that need
was undoubtedly urgent.
When a month had passed, therefore, and Dick was again out of his
hammock, the aspect at the coast had changed. Where before had been
peace and repose, was now the utmost bustle. The _Rattlesnake_ had
gone, and other ships had taken her place. Dick himself was aboard a
hospital ship which had been sent to the coast, while in the roads,
lying a mile from the shore, with swarms of surf-boats manned by
laughing kroomen about them, were transports discharging men and
supplies.
One in particular drew the attention of all eyes, for she was the
_Ambriz_, African mail steamer, and she had just brought Sir Garnet,
together with his staff. Dick looked eagerly at her, wondering whether
he would be given an opportunity to meet this famous General, who at
this moment had the honours of the Red River Expedition fresh upon him.
He wondered, too, whether his appointment would meet with approval, and
whether his duties would take him soon into the country of the enemy.
"I'm fit and well at any rate," he said to himself, as he leaned against
the rail. "There's nothing like sea breeze to clear fever away, and
though I own that I was as weak as a rat when I was transferred here, I
am now, thanks to the excellent rations provided, as fit as I ever was."
"And depend upon it, you will soon be employed," answered a young
officer, who stood beside him, and who, having volunteered for service,
had come out with Sir Garnet, only to fall ill on the voyage and be sent
to the hospital ship within a few hours of reaching the coast. "We
shall all be at it soon, and I'm glad that I've had this attack now, and
not waited till later. Hullo! there comes the Governor's launch."
They watched the tiny vessel steam away from its anchorage just beyond
the surf opposite Cape Coast Castle, for, as has been explained, there
was no harbour on this coast, nothing had been done to afford protection
to even the smallest shipping. The launch stood away from the shore,
and presently arrived at the gangway hanging to the side of the hospital
ship. There was a staff officer aboard, and having ascended to the
deck, and saluted the medical officer in charge, he descended with him
to the cabin. A few minutes later he came up again, and his companion
pointed to Dick.
"There he is," he said, with a good-natured smile. "I pass him as fit,
and shall be glad to get rid of him, for, 'pon my word, the youngster
has been the worry of my life. Every day he has pestered me to allow
him to go ashore. Take him and welcome."
"Then, Mr Stapleton, the General sends his compliments and desires that
you will call at Government House and see his Chief of the Staff. Will
you come now?"
Would he come at once? Dick smiled at the very idea, and ran below with
all the eagerness of a boy. Soon he appeared again, spruce and neat in
his white clothing, and stepped into the launch.
"Remember me. Dick," sang out the young officer, who had become
friendly with him. "If there is a boat expedition or anything going, I
am a volunteer. Ask to choose your own staff, and don't forget that I
shall be keen."
Half an hour later the surf-boat had landed them, and our hero felt like
a young horse which has been conveyed oversea, and has not set foot on
land for many a day. It was glorious to feel the sand under his 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 therefore he felt no nervousness when he discovered that there were
four officers present, all of senior rank, while two at least were high
up in the service. Instantly Dick's eye was riveted on the figure of
one of these officers, moderately tall and exceedingly soldierly in
appearance.
"Sir Garnet," said the other, motioning to him. "Mr Dick Stapleton, of
whom you have heard."
Dick bowed at the name and stood, awaiting the wishes of those who had
summoned him.
"You are well and strong again, it is reported?" said the chief of the
staff. "That is good news, for the General desires some information.
Do you consider that you are well enough to undertake another journey
into the bush?"
"Quite," was Dick's emphatic answer. "I am fit and strong again now,
and longing to be off."
Sir Garnet smiled. The chief of the staff smiled, while the officers
present exchanged knowing glances.
"That is like your spirit," went on the officer, "but I wish you to
consider this question before you reply, for the journey upon which we
require you to go is one from which some do not return. We have news,
more or less reliable, of the movements of the Ashanti armies, news
which is sufficient till the troops arrive from England. But in the
meanwhile we want to have particulars of the country beyond the Pra,
from there to Kumasi, and if possible news of the captives and of King
Koffee. Troops are expected at the end of the year, in two months
perhaps. So you have that time in which to get this information. But
you know, doubtless, the condition of the country. There are at least
two Ashanti armies lying in the jungle, and perhaps there are others."
He ceased speaking and looked questioningly at the young fellow standing
hat in hand, as if awaiting an answer, while he desired above all things
to weigh his character, to see for himself whether he were indeed the
lad of courage which the Governor had represented him to be, and whether
he were a fit person to undertake an expedition of such danger.
"There will be no mercy from the Ashantis," he added, lifting a warning
finger. "You have met them and you should know."
"When can I start? The sooner the better," said Dick, quietly.
"Then you will go?"
"Yes, sir, and I will get this information for you if it is possible.
What men may I have? I'd like the old launch which I had before. She
steams well, and has a stout hull."
"Choose your own staff and your own methods of proceeding," was the
genial answer. "They tell me that you have patrolled the river before,
so you must know what is wanted. Come and report here just before you
leave. And, er--Mr Stapleton, there will be a handsome reward for this
information."
Dick was glad that he had heard that after he had accepted the task.
"After all," he thought, as he left the office, "I would rather work for
the fun of the thing and for the good of old England than for money.
If, however, there is a reward and I win it, why, all the better. It
will be like winning a prize. And now for the preparations. I shall
want to think it out."
He bade farewell to the staff officer who had brought him from the ship
and went to see Mr Pepson. A week later he set off on his hazardous
journey to Kumasi, to the headquarters of the most ferocious monarch
known to Englishmen, to the spot where everything was fetish, where
thousands of slaves were butchered in the year, and where the sight of a
white man was sufficient to rouse all the inhabitants to a condition
bordering on insanity.
"Recollect, my dear lad," said Mr Pepson, as he bade his young friend
good-bye, "that King Koffee is a wild beast, and that it would be better
for you and your men to die fighting, or to shoot one another, rather
than fall into his hands. Good-bye, and good luck."
He turned away to hide a tear, this strong man who so seldom showed his
feelings. But he was deeply attached to Dick, and would gladly have
kept him. However, this was duty, duty to his country, and he was
forced to let him go. Then he turned and watched as the surf-boat took
our hero out to his launch. There was the scream of a whistle, the
waving of many hands, and Dick was off--perhaps never to return again.