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"Now," the general said to Frank, "that we have beaten the Fantis we shall march down to Elmina." Leaving the main road at Dunquah the army moved slowly through the bush towards Elmina, thirty miles distant, halting in the woods some eight miles from the town, and twelve from Cape Coast. "I am going," the general said, "to look at the English forts. My white friend will go with me."
This step was the commencement of fresh troubles between the Ashantis and the English. The Commendah people were Fantis, and as such the implacable enemies of the Elmina people, who had under Dutch protection been always allies of the Ashantis, and had been mainly instrumental in supplying them with arms and ammunition.
Few Ashanti prisoners had been taken, but a considerable number of Fantis, who had been prisoners among them, had come in, having escaped in the confusion of the retreat. Among these were many women, several of whom had been captured when the Ashantis had first crossed the Prah ten months before.
This was also, as I have said, the case with the Fantis and Ashantis; the latter occupied their present habitat about 1640, and at once became the foes of all their neighbours. King Osai Tutu, 'the Great, first of Ashanti despot-kings , made Gyáman tributary.
A fatal expedition for their defence was undertaken in 1824 by Sir Charles Macarthy, who, crossing the Prah with a small force without waiting for the main body of his troops, being deserted by the Fantis and surrounded by the Ashantees, was with all his forces cut to pieces, three white men only escaping.
Then natives and Kruboys will strike for increased wages till even diamond-mines would not pay. The Gold Coast contains rich placers in abundance: if they fail it will be for want of hands, or because the cost of labour will swallow up profits. The country-people, Fantis, Accra-men, Apollonians of Béin, and others, will work, and are well acquainted with gold-working.
The periquen, pereguen, or peredroano = 32 akis, or two ounces in weight; and ranging in value from 9l. to 10l. The word is Ashanti, little used by the Fantis. For a list of these complicated gold weights, of which Mr. The people may be persuaded to take an English sovereign, but they spurn a French napoleon.
We purchased from the Dutch their forts and stores, but the people of Elmina were told that we should not take possession of the place except with their consent; but it was pointed out to them that if they refused to accept our protection they would be exposed as before to the hostility of the Fantis.
In 1844, and again in 1852, a regular protectorate was arranged between the British and the Fantis, the former undertaking to protect them from enemies beyond the borders, and in turn exercising an authority over the Fantis, forbidding them to make war with each other, and imposing a nominal tribute upon them.
The Fantis, however, though far more numerous than their invaders, took to flight, and the force which had been sent to their assistance had to return. The Ashantees now took possession of Dunquah, from whence they moved to the east towards Denkera.
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