"I am going," the general said, "to look at the English forts. My
white friend will go with me."
With fifty of his warriors Ammon Quatia left the camp, and crossing
a stream came down upon the sea coast, a short distance west of
Elmina. With them were several of the Elmina tribe, who had come
up to the camp to welcome the Ashantis. They approached to within
three or four hundred yards of the fort, which was separated from
them by a river.
The forts on the west coast of Africa, not being built to resist
artillery, are merely barracks surrounded by high walls sufficiently
thick to allow men to walk in single file along the top, to fire
over the parapet. The tops of the walls being castellated, the
buildings have an appearance of much strength. The fort of Elmina
is of considerable size, with a barrack and officers' quarters
within it. One side faces the river, and another the sea.
"It is a wonderful fort," the Ashanti general said, much impressed
by its appearance.
"Yes," Frank replied. "And there are cannon on the top, those
great black things you see sticking out. Those are guns, and each
carries balls enough to kill a hundred men with each shot."
The general looked for some time attentively.
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