that purpose, and you must act the part by
looking very severe. We will have them up one by one, and abstract all
their information. Two of the bluejackets can stand guard over each
prisoner as he is brought, while the others will be kept out of hearing
in the bows. Now, recollect, to get information, we must terrorise
these men. I don't like to do so, but natives understand no other means
of persuasion. If you offer gold they will lie and cheat you. Now,
bring up the first of the prisoners."

It was an informal trial which was held at the stern of the launch and
would have caused the laughter of any other group of men. But Dick and
his command were bent on obtaining information, and if they could prove
the proximity of the Ashantis, they would be doing an incalculable
benefit to the commander of the British forces, for thereby he might be
enabled to make a surprise attack, and gain a victory, a matter of great
importance at this stage of the proceedings. And so, escorted by two of
the bluejackets, with their rifles loaded, one of the captives was
brought aft and halted just in front of our hero. He was a sturdy
fellow, and now that two hours had passed since his capture his fears
were beginning to subside. He looked closely at the white officers whom
he confronted, noted their youth and at once gained further confidence.
His head went up, he put on a defiant look and would have squatted there
on the deck had it not been for the sailors.

"None of yer larks, me son," said one of them, giving the man a hitch
which shot him to his feet. "Stand steady where you're put, or--"

There was a menace in the sailor's looks, and the rifle and cutlass with
which he was armed supported the threat. The native stood upright,
looking perhaps a little disconcerted.

"Tell me how long you have been near Elmina, and how many of your
comrades are there?" asked Dick, in the Ashanti tongue.

Astonishment was written on the man's face, and Dick noticed an
expression of dismay. But it disappeared at once and the answer came
glibly.

"I have been there a week. My comrades, all that remain, lie here on
this deck. We were bringing our goods to Elmina."

"That is a lie," said Dick quietly, watching the man closely as he
spoke. "You are an Ashanti. That I know for certain. Your comrades
fired at us from the shore, and you were not carrying goods. Guns and
swords formed your only cargo. Now, listen. You have news to give