They made no attempt to search the bush but, on the path, they found ninety-eight headless skeletons; a painful testimony of the number of soldiers and carriers who had died of privation, and hardship, during the retreat.
Information now came in that, to the north, the most reckless of the Ashantis had again concentrated, and were determined to make another stand.

On the 16th there was a big review of the seventeen hundred troops and the nine guns of the garrison.

The heavy guns were exercised on a stockade, similar to those of the enemy.
Hitherto they had not been altogether successful; as it was found that, owing to the large bursting charge, the range had to be estimated at double its real distance.

Six shots smashed a barricade which was six feet high by six feet thick.
Friendly chiefs, who were invited to witness the experiment, were profoundly impressed; and there can be no doubt that the feat was reported to the enemy in the field, for they raised no stockade in the future, and reverted to their old plan of bush fighting.
The heavy and continuous rains were now rapidly bringing on sickness, and the officers were attacked in forms that were quite novel to them.
"I don't know what is the matter with me," Lisle said, one morning, "but I am swollen all round the neck.

I once had mumps, when I was a little boy and, if it were not so ridiculous, I should declare that I had got them again." Hallett burst into a fit of laughter.
"I expect you are going to have all your old illnesses again--scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough, and the rest.