long. 0? 42' 18"), a
coast-line of some 318 direct geographical miles.
Gyaman, however, seems to have had a passion for liberty. She fought again
and again to recover what she had lost in 1820; and, on more occasions
than one, she was successful in battle. During the 'Ashanti scare' the
sturdy kingdom was preparing for serious hostilities; and a little war of
six or seven months had already been waged between the neighbours. The
late Prince Owusu, before mentioned, deposed before the authorities of our
Protectorate as follows: 'At Kumasi I was ordered to eat the skull of the
late King of Gyaman, which was kept there as a trophy from the conquest of
Gyaman; but I did not do it.' He also asserted that, in 1879, a white man,
Nielson, and his interpreter, Huydecooper, had been sent by an intriguer
to Gyaman, bearing a pretended message from the British Government and the
Fanti chiefs, enjoining the King to conclude peace with the Ashantis, and
to restore their 3,700 captives. Neither of these men saw the ruler of
Gyaman, and it is believed that Nielson, having begun a quarrel by firing
upon the people, was killed in the fray.
At this moment Gyaman is battling with her old enemies, and threatens to
be a dangerous rival, if not a conqueror.
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