r rifles to their shoulders, sending a
shower of bullets into the enemy. The Ashantis broke immediately and
ran for their lives. Dick and his men at once surrounded the prisoners.

"Good gracious! The last of the prisoners! How did you manage to get
away?"

Dick turned to find the very European who had spoken to him when a
prisoner in Kumasi, and at once rushed forward to shake him by the hand.

"I cut my way out," he answered, "and--well, here I am, while the troops
are just behind us. We have beaten the Ashantis handsomely, and they
are in full flight."

"While we are safe, thanks to you," replied the other, gripping Dick's
hand enthusiastically. "I heard the order given to those fellows who
have just bolted. They were to take us to the execution hut and kill
us. A pleasant prospect from which you have saved us! I thank you for
all of my comrades and for myself."

"Then there are four of you in all?" said Dick, as he counted the
prisoners off and shook each by the hand.

"Five," corrected the other. "The last is ill, poor chap. He lies over
here in a hut set by itself. I will lead the way."

Still accompanied by the sailors, the party of rescued prisoners crossed
the street to a hut close to the swamp. And there, a mere skeleton now,
after weeks of the terrible African fever, and lying on a bed of palm
leaves, was Meinheer Van Somering, hardly recognisable, too weak and ill
to speak.

There is little more to tell of Kumasi. Our troops marched in within
the hour of Dick's arrival and occupied the town. On the following day,
King Koffee still failing to send in his messengers of peace, the place
was burned to the ground, only three houses escaping.

Then the troops turned their faces to the coast and commenced their long
march back. And, as it proved, the return journey was not begun a
moment too soon, for the rains commenced in earnest, and ere the coast
was reached the men had to march along forest paths thick with mud, and
perhaps covered by three feet of water. Where before had been smooth
grass land was now a swamp, extending for considerable distances. Then,
too, at the rivers, it was found that the bridges erected by the sappers
with so much skill were already useless, or washed away. So the fine
body of men, all more or less wounded, had to wade across, carrying
their rifles above their heads. As for the sick, they were borne in
hammocks, and in this manner Meinheer Van Somering rea