or arms and
ammunition, Mr. Hennessey refused so curtly that the King of Akim was
grievously offended, and sent at once to the Ashantis to say that he
should remain neutral in the war.

About this time Mr. Hennessey, whose repeated blunders had in no slight
degree contributed to the invasion, was relieved by Mr. Keate, who at
once wholly alienated the Fantis by telling them that they must defend
themselves, as the English had nothing more to do with the affair
than to defend their forts. Considering that the English had taken the
natives under their protection, and that the war was caused entirely by
the taking over of Elmina by the English and by their breach of faith to
the natives there, this treatment of the Fantis was as unjust as it was
impolitic.

Ammon Quatia, however, seemed to be impressed with a spirit of prudence
as soon as he crossed the river. Parties were sent out, indeed, who
attacked and plundered the Assim villages near the Prah, but the main
body moved forward with the greatest caution, sometimes halting for
weeks.

The Ashanti general directed Frank always to pitch his tent next to the
hut occupied by himself. Four guards were appointed, nominally to do him
honor, but really, as Frank saw, to prevent him from making his escape.
These men kept guard, two at a time, night and day over the tent, and if
he moved out all followed him. He never attempted to leave the camp.
The forest was extremely dense with thick underwood and innumerable
creepers, through which it would be almost impossible to make a way.
The majority of the trees were of only moderate height, but above them
towered the cotton trees and other giants, rising with straight stems to
from two hundred and fifty to three hundred feet high. Many of the trees
had shed their foliage, and some of these were completely covered with
brilliant flowers of different colors. The woods resounded with the
cries of various birds, but butterflies, except in the clearings, were
scarce.

The army depended for food partly upon the cultivated patches around
the Assim villages, partly on supplies brought up from the rear. In the
forest, too, they found many edible roots and fruits. In spite of the
efforts to supply them with food, Frank saw ere many weeks had passed
that the Ashantis were suffering much from hunger. They fell away in
flesh. Many were shaking with fever, and the enthusiasm, which was
manifest at the passage of the Prah, had entirely evaporat