what has happened here," said the Commodore.
"But first I must thank you for very valuable information, and at the
same time congratulate you on your very plucky conduct. 'Pon my word,
gentlemen, we should be delighted had he been one of our service. It
would have been a fine feather in our caps to be able to send such a
report home to the authorities. But now, my news. You may have seen
some of us wearing slings and bandages. We have good reason for doing
so, for three weeks ago we went up the river Pra to discuss matters with
some of these natives who seemed inclined to be turbulent. They met us
in a friendly manner, but higher up, as our boats were being towed
closer to the bank and within easy range, an ambush of some thousand
natives opened fire upon us. We were in a hopeless condition, for we
could not attack, and could hardly retire. But we managed to draw away,
and returned to the ship with many poor fellows injured. Later we
shelled the town where the ambush had been laid and smashed it to
pieces. About the same time some of our men were ill-treated by the
natives higher up the river, and I regret to say that in all we lost
four of our brave fellows, while twenty of us were wounded, including
six officers. However, we are all recovering. But the range was close,
and a blow on the ribs is no laughing matter."

The Commodore moved uneasily, and it was then that Dick noticed an
unusual bulging of his coat and shirt, for in these hot parts all wore
the lightest clothing. In fact, the Commodore had been very seriously
injured by the murderous fire of the natives.

"There has been more trouble since," went on the Commodore, "but we have
not had the worst of it. We have realised that the time for talking has
passed, and we have given these unfriendly natives a sample of our
wares. We have shelled towns and villages where the people were
hostile. But they are that everywhere. The bush swarms with enemies,
and there can be no doubt that we are face to face with a war of
moderate proportions. In that war, Mr Stapleton, you will be able to
play a prominent part, for you can speak both the Fanti and Ashanti
dialects, and you have some knowledge of the country. I shall ask you
to take a letter to the Lieutenant-Governor at Cape Coast Castle, in
which I will repeat what I have just said. But perhaps you would rather
not aid the troops; perhaps you will want to return home, in which case
Her Majesty's fo