rd
side, and the stockade even under a hot sun is delightfully cool. There
is little fever here, and one can cope with it. Mr Dick, you need have
no fears for your health. The loneliness is the only thing which will
trouble you."

"I have been thinking about that," answered Dick, "and I fancy I shall
do something to distract my thoughts. Work in the mines or something of
the sort. Perhaps help to improve the stockade and make it stronger."

The agent looked at him in surprise. "Stronger!" he exclaimed. "And
why?"

"Because I fancy we might be attacked."

Our hero felt almost sure that there would be an attempt, for he had not
forgotten James Langdon.

"Attack!" he said disdainfully. "The Ashantis will not harm us. They
hate these Fanti men, and it is they against whom they war. They are
out now with the intention of fighting. Trust King Koffee to keep them
away from us, for if we were harmed, what would happen to the payments
made to him? As to this fellow, James Langdon, I fancy I have met him.
You need not fear him, for he will never come so far. If he is in the
service of the king of the Ashantis, he will be on the far bank of the
river and miles from here. No, Mr Stapleton, there will be no need to
strengthen the post."

By now they had entered the stockade, and found it to be composed of
roughly sawn logs, trimmed with the axe. Here and there a small
interval was left for rifles, though it was obvious that the designer of
the place expected no trouble. In the centre was a log hut, thatched
with long strips of bark, which were pegged down to the timbers beneath.
The windows were unglazed, but rough shutters cut from packing boxes
were provided.

"Enter, gentlemen," said the agent, with some signs of pride. "You find
yourselves in the salon, the smoking-room, and the bedroom of this
house. It is only a rough shanty, sufficient to keep out the heat of
the sun, and the rains, when they come."

"And a fine example of your work," exclaimed Mr Pepson. "Now, what of
the mines? They are close at hand?"

For answer the agent led the way out of the stockade and down the far
side of the hill till the party came to the level ground. And here it
was seen that a stream flowed, and lost itself a little way on in the
forest.

"Everything is nicely within reach," said the agent. "You will find
that the men work in couples, and as there are twelve of them, there are
six shafts open. We will go to