KUMASI AUGUST 1873
“Thank you!” The warriors formed around Jack, pushing him out of the house and up the street. “Thank you!”
Kumi Okese watched, unsmiling, then marched in front, with his followers at his back.
“You are greatly honoured,” Akron repeated. “Very few foreigners meet the Asantahene.”
At that moment, Jack only felt apprehension as he stumbled through Kumasi towards the Bantummah, the king"s palace, at the northern side of the town. Jack"s escort propelled him down a narrow street with a foul odour that may have emanated from the deep ditch that ran down the centre until they came to a large, flat-roofed building.
At first glance, Jack thought the palace gates appeared like the entrance to some Lancashire factory, except for the gaudily-dressed sentries. The fence was of b
