Three days later the Ashanti
general, with a portion of his force, moved down close to Elmina;
Frank was told to accompany them. Shortly afterwards the news came
that the Elminas were all ordered to lay down their arms. They replied
by going over in a body to the Ashantis. Ammon Quatia determined
at once to attack the town, but as he was advancing, the guns of
the ships of war opened fire upon the native town of Elmina, which
lay to the west of the European quarter.
The sound of such heavy cannon, differing widely from anything they
had ever heard before, caused the Ashantis to pause in astonishment.
Then came the howl of the shells, which exploded in rapid succession
in the village, from which flames began immediately to rise. After
a few minutes' hesitation the Ashantis and Elminas again advanced.
The general, who was carried in a chair upon the shoulders of four
men, took his post on rising ground near the burning village.
"There," he said, "the English soldiers are coming out of the fort.
Now you will see."
The little body of marines and the blue jackets of the Barraconta
deployed in line as they sallied from the fort. The Ashantis opened
fire upon them, but they were out of range of the slugs.
Pages:
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317