He also begged them to send down to
the coast by the first opportunity the cases of specimens which
had been collected since the departure of the Fans.
A violent attack of fever, brought on by their exertions in
the sun, prostrated both the white travelers a few days after the
termination of the siege, and it was some weeks before they were
able to renew their journey. Their intention was to ascend the
river for some distance, to move westward into upper Ashanti, and
then to make their way to Coomassie, whence they would journey
down to Cape Coast and there take ship for England. As soon as they
were able to travel they took leave of their friends at Abeokuta,
who furnished them with carriers for their cases and hammock bearers
for their journey as far as the Volta. This lasted for a fortnight
through an open and fertile country. Then they crossed the river
and entered Ashanti, the great rival empire of Dahomey. As Ashanti
was at peace with England they had now no fear of molestation on
their journey.
Ashanti consisted of five or six kingdoms, all of which had been
conquered, and were tributary to it. The empire of Ashanti was
separated by the river Prah from the country of the Fantis, who
lived under British protection.
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