Before crossing the Volta, they sent across to inquire of the chief
of the town there whether two English travelers would be allowed
to pass through Ashanti, and were delayed for a fortnight until a
messenger was sent to Coomassie and returned with a letter, saying
that the king would be glad to see white men at his capital. With
this assurance they crossed the stream. They were received in
state by the chief, who at once provided them with the necessary
carriers, and with them a guard, which he said would prevent any
trouble on their way. On the following day they started, and after
arriving, at the end of a day's journey, at a village, prepared
to stop as usual for a day or two to add to their collection. The
officer of the guard, however, explained to them through Bacon, who
spoke the Ashanti language, that his instructions were, that they
were to go straight through to Coomassie. In vain Mr. Goodenough
protested that this would entirely defeat the object of his journey.
The officer was firm. His orders were that they were to travel
straight to Coomassie, and if he failed in carrying these out, his
head would assuredly be forfeited.
"This is serious, Frank," Mr.
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