The scouts did their work well. The Ashantis were
in considerable numbers, but fell back gradually without fighting.
Russell's regiment were in support, and they pressed forward until
they neared the foot of the Adansee Hills. On the 16th Rait's
artillery and Wood's regiment were to advance with two hundred men
of the 2d West Indians. The Naval Brigade, the Rifle Brigade, the
42d, and a hundred men of the 23d would be up on the Prah on the
17th.
News came down that fresh portents had happened at Coomassie. The
word signifies the town under the tree, the town being so called
because its founder sat under a broad tree, surrounded by his warriors,
while he laid out the plan of the future town. The marketplace was
situated round the tree, which became the great fetish tree of the
town, under which human sacrifices were offered. On the 6th, the
day upon which Sir Garnet sent his ultimatum to the king, a bird
of ill omen was seen to perch upon it, and half an hour afterwards
a tornado sprang up and the fetish tree was levelled to the ground.
This caused an immense sensation in Coomassie, which was heightened
when Sir Garnet's letter arrived, and proved to be dated upon the
day upon which the fetish tree had fallen.
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