ELMINA JUNE 1873
Colonel Festing stroked his whiskers as he spoke. “The Ashantis are back in force, gentlemen. It seems that we did not teach them a sufficiently severe lesson earlier today.”
Looking around the gathering of officers, Jack saw the tired, wan faces and wondered if these men could fight for long in this tropical climate. West Africa seemed even unhealthier than India.
“Our friendly natives report that an Ashanti noble called Kumi Okese boasts he will burn the Garden Quarter of Elmina and capture Fort St George. I intend to stop him.”
Kumi Okese. Jack repeated the name. He recalled the men beneath the two umbrellas, the black satin and the yellow, and wondered which one had issued the threat.
“Will the navy help again, sir?” Lieutenant Hopringle asked.
“I believe so, Hop
