I accordingly took out my note-book and put down every word that fell from the august lips. The following is what I wrote: it did not seem to impress the natives much, but then no doubt it was like casting pearls before swine; the retinue listened to each word with rapt attention, and subdued and respectful murmurs of applause greeted each fresh exhibition of rhetorical eloquence, which they considered worthy of a combined Cicero and Demosthenes.
Prince Buaki rose and said:—
“I give my compliments to His Excellency.”
Rowe. “I am glad to see you here. It is always a pleasure for the Government of the Gold Coast to receive an envoy from the king of Ashanti. You do not meet me at home, but out here in the bush; but as you meet me here on your journey you are welcome. I hope your journey has been fairly comfortable.”
Buaki. “Yes, it was comfortable.”
Rowe. “I hope you have not had rain on the way.”
Buaki. “No.”
Rowe. “I am glad to hear that, for rain makes the roads bad in this country. I don’t think we can hope to have fine weather long. What do you think?”
Buaki. “I think so too.”
Rowe. “I hope it will not come on for a few days more; it is not nice to have rain. I hope you found your people well that were left behind.”[6]