Three days later the general with a similar party crossed the Sweet
river at night, and proceeded along the sea coast to within a few
hundred yards of Cape Coast Castle, whose appearance pleased him
no more than that of Elmina had done.
The Ashantis were now better supplied with food, as they were able
to depend upon the Elmina tribes who cultivated a considerable extent
of ground, and to add to the stock, the Ashanti soldiers were set
to work to aid in planting a larger extent of ground than usual, a
proof in Frank's mind that the general contemplated making a long
stay, and blockading Elmina and Cape Coast into surrender if he
could not carry them by assault.
The natives of Africa are capable of great exertion for a time,
but their habitual attitude is that of extreme laziness. One week's
work in the year suffices to plant a sufficient amount of ground to
supply the wants of a family. The seed only requires casting into
the earth, and soon the ground will be covered with melons and
pumpkins. Sweet potatoes and yams demand no greater cultivation, and
the bananas and plantains require simply to be cut. For fifty-one
weeks in the year the negro simply sits down and watches his crops
grow.
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