there was a general rush for telescopes, and we saw that one of them was the outward-bound steamer "Cameroon," which had only left the harbour about half-an-hour previously, and the other the mail from the Coast. This latter had the signal "Government Despatches" flying; it was evident that something was wrong down on the Gold Coast, and that it was of sufficient importance for the "Cameroon" to turn back. Imagination was at once busy as to what was up: some said it was the long-expected mutiny of the Houssa constabulary, others a revolt of the Accra people on account of the imprisonment of their king, Tacki, by Mr. Ussher, the late Governor, and a third party that the Awoonahs had risen; but while we were still deliberating, and before the steamers had dropped anchor in the harbour, the "fall in" sounded and we had to go on parade.
About five, while the parade was still going on, a Colonial messenger darted on to the parade ground, seized the commanding officer, and thrust a voluminous despatch into his hand. The latter cast a hurried eye over it, and instantly moved off with hasty strides towards a hammock that was waiting for him outside; calling out to his second in command that the parade was to be dismissed, but that no officers or men were to leave barracks. We knew then that something
