"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.
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