Five hours later our hero stood hat in hand in the office at Government House, facing the chief of Sir Garnet’s staff.
“This is very important news which you bring,” said the officer, seriously. “Have you told any one what you have learned?”
He looked anxiously at Dick and waited for his reply, giving expression to an exclamation of relief when he heard the answer.
“Then you and Mr Emmett are the only two who know. Your native stoker has suspicions, but you say that he is trustworthy. I fancy we may be able to hoodwink these natives.”
An hour later, when Dick retired to Mr Pepson’s house, the details of an expedition had been roughly drafted, and on the following morning orders were published. But those in authority knew that they had cunning foes to deal with, and that spies abounded even in Cape Coast Castle. And so when those who were to take part in the attack embarked, it was with the belief that they were to sail to a different part of the country altogether, and that Elmina and its neighbourhood was not even under consideration. It was with a light heart that Dick steamed back to Elmina, and took his station near the fort, prepared to operate with the expedition and attack the enemy.
“You will listen for our bugle calls, and direct your fire accordingly,” the Chief of the Staff had warned him. “Otherwise we may be firing into one another. Keep the men well in hand, for the bush will be dense. But there, I am forgetting that you have had experience already. Hold our right flank and punish them severely.”
Early on the following morning, when the marines and bluejackets had disembarked at Elmina, and the native troops had joined them on the beach, Dick and his men steamed up the river, and having gained a point some miles higher up, stood in to the bank and landed, leaving two men in charge of the launch.
“Lie off at anchor, and keep a sharp watch,” he commanded. “Now, my lads, we will hunt in couples, and remember to use your whistles, for it is easy to get lost here. Follow me and be sure you go warily.”
They turned their backs on the water, and plunged into the bush, their eyes endeavouring to pierce the dense undergrowth, while their ears were forever alert to detect the proximity of the enemy.