THE RESURRECTION OF ASHANTI.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 400, 15 February 1879, Page 2

THE RESURRECTION OF ASHANTI.

How Ashanti arose from the ruin in which the war with the British left her fire years ago. to a height of power and ambition above what she ever before attained, has all the interest and romance of an eastern tale. When o nr troops returned after their victory, such reports were circulated of the gold of Ashanti, that three adventurers “ who had served” determined to try their fortune. The sole surviver has now returned to England and told his story at such length that we can only present our readers with the essence of it. In due time our heroes arrived at Cape Coast Castle, where every naked rascal sports gold all over his body, and indulges in the luxury of six wives at least. Having hired one Yarapon, as interpreter, they struck inland. Taking the route taken by the troops the year before, they traversed Mansoo, Faissoo, Sutah, and Barraco, to the River Prah. The camps and fortifications of the British were already so over grown by rank vegetation as to be unidentifiable except by the names carved on trees, which in every land is the indubitable trace of the Briton. Arriving at. Adahsa our gold-seekers were amazed to find a high caboceer of Ashanti waiting for them with a strong escort, which fired several volleys in token of welcome. The noble savage asked which was Captain Lees, the acting Governor of the Cape Coast settieirient. This led to explanations which showed that several rounds of blanks had been wasted. There, was about to be a grand meeting of notables in Coomassie, the Capital, to consider the state of the nation. This, Captain Lees had been invited to attend, hut that worthy had other fish to fry. Next day they entered Coomassie in the midst of an enormous crowd. A caboceer (apparently a'tributary king) met them in the market place and . offered welcome. His silk umbrella was as large as a bell tent and fringed with gold. He carried a staff with which he quaintly presented

arms. The strangers returned the compliment with their guns to the great delight of his Serene Blackness. His herald now came forth'>i and proclaimed the might of Yina, King of Antoi, His Mightness then laughed and shook hands. The town was still in sad ruin from the visit of the English, and vras-also crowded with. Caboceers and their •trains, so that Yina apologised' for not' having better lodgings to offer, than"a f hastily repaired building. Here they ' '.were plentifully supplied with food. •In “the morning, with Mr Interpreter Yampon, and two “ captains” placed at their service, they went out sightseeing, followed by a noisy crowd. In the chief thoroughfare, they found a multitude engaged in building a large shed walled with split bamboo and thatched with palm leaf, while chiefs, covered with silk and gold, walked about giving orders. Further on they came to a lot of little huts surrounded by a wattle fence. Here they were roughly turned back by a cordon of guards. Yampon explained, “Him Kaffoo Kalkalli live there !” This syrnphoneous name belonged to the King of Ashanti; since his palace was blown up by the British this was his abode. .

Returning home they found a sheep, a score of fowls, ajar of palm oil, bunches of plantains, and three quills of gold dust. With these good things, Yina had sent a message that he would call for them before sunrise next day. All this amazed the visitors greatly. All night the bang of firearms continued to announce the arrival of chiefs for the council of the morrow. With the dawn came Yina in all his glory. Fifty men came first, swinging their gnus around their heads in time to a savage chant. Then came heralds, then a body of captains robed in silk, a gun-bearer following each ; then the chiefs dependent on Yina riding in man-baskets borne by slaves, attended by umbrellas, pipebearers, stool-bearers, and servants—then came the magnificence of Yina himself. His basket was covered with leopard skin, and borne by two huge slaves. After him marched a score of favourite 1 boys.’ One bore his stool ; another his flp-flapper, a white horse's tail in a gold handle ; a;'third, his state umbrella; a fourth, bis golden pipe; a fifth, bis gun; a sixth, his spittoon ; a seventh, his flask of palm wine, &c., &c. The procession ended in a tumultuous escort of soldiers. After great ceremonies, Yina conducted the English to the great council that was to be held in the shed they had seen building the day before. Here were three hundred chiefs sitting in a ring on their stools, behind each were three slaves. Arnold chief arose. His servants deftly slipped the enormous ornaments off Ids arms to allow of free action. He spoke with earnest eloquence. Murmurs of approval rose from all sides. The orator told the history of our war, and finished by ,arraigning Koffee Kalkalli, his king, as the destroyer of Ashanti. After other speeches, every chief rose to his feet, a word of assent passed along the line. Six heralds passed solemnly down the middle and out. Yampon explained, “ They go fetch him, Koffee Kalkalli.” A quarter of an hour passed in silence, when the heralds returned, and-reported that they had found the king on his royal stool, with his wives, children and slaves lying about him inside a ring of poivder-kcgs, connected hr a t rain of powder. He said if the council would give him a safe conduct, lie would attend; if not, lie was prepared for the worst. The safe conduct was granted, and the. heralds withdrew.

“ Koffee Kalkalli, him come now,” said Yampbn. He came, swinging a fly whisk. He stood in the centre and said, “ Ho had been unfortunate, but excuses would not avail a king who must be a favorite with the gods, he was ready to take liis old scat among them.” A stool was immediately brought and' placed in the ring, and Koffee Kalkalli took his seat among the chiefs, a king no longer. His brother was then elected to the vacant throne, and installed forthwith ; all the chiefs prostrating themselves, Koffee himself being the first. The English bowed, and put out their hands, the king stared, frowned, smiled, and took them. In the evening Yin a called on the Englishmen, and vn’y privately explained through a trusted interpreter that they could get gold without digging for it. “ Drill our young men to fight in the English way, and wo will give you more than you can carry !” He explained that before the war three other kingdoms were allied with Ashanti, but they had revolted, “Wo have 10,000 men, guns for 3,000, but little powder. We are getting powder and guns that will fire without loading.” Two of the other kingdoms, Bequoi and Djabin, were said to have 20,000 and 50,000 men respectively, with which they could eat Ashanti up. To be brief the bargan was struck, the Englishmen drilled the natives quietly, arms and powder came, and in due time a sudden blow was struck at Bequoi, which was annexed within a month. A present of Ashanti beauties had been sent to the King of Djabin to keep him quiet, which they did until Ashanti was ready, when he in turn fell before the new discipline. One after another the rival kingdoms have been “ eaten up,” and the wounds inflicted by the British are healed. How long it will bo before Englishmen have to encounter the force their adventurous countrymen remains to be seen.