The position of Frank had not been a pleasant one while the fight
had lasted, for the English rifle bullets sang close to him in
quick succession, one striking the tree only a few inches above
his head. He was doubtful, too, as to what his fate would be at
the termination of the fight.
Fortunately Ammon Quatia was in the highest spirits at his victory.
He ordered Frank to be at once unbound.
"There, you see," he said, "the whites are of no use. They cannot
fight. They run with their eyes shut into danger. So it will be if
they attack us on the land. You were foolish. Why did you wish to
call out? Are you not well treated? Are you not the king's guest?
Am I not your friend?"
"I am well treated, and you are my friend," Frank said, "but the
English are my countrymen. I am sure that were you in the hands of
the English, and you saw a party of your countrymen marching into
danger, you would call out and warn them, even if you knew that
you would be killed for doing so."
"I do not know," the Ashanti said candidly. "I cannot say what I
should do, but you were brave to run the risk, and I'm not angry
with you. Only, in future when we go to attack the English, I must
gag you to prevent your giving the alarm.
Pages:
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323