Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-05
AMBA,
THE wITCH'S DAUGHIEK.
By MRs. BowpIcH.
/TonrIulIpH. J
(C,onciuded.)


arrival of The ,roops was confirmed by messen-
oars. nm, mon,bs rolled on aud no news came
from barbara. after he had reached the enemy;
and during this period the European governor,
who had been struck with Amba's beauty when
paving her bridal visits, solicited her love, pre-.
lending that Tarbara was dead Many were
the surmises on this occasion, always an object
ofenvy and malice, Amba could not escape the
ill-natured remarks and idle tales lnsinuated a.
gains, her fidelity, but in reality the governors
proposals were rejected with the utmost indig-
nation Al last the tidings arrived, that the Ac-
era army had given battle to the Ashantees, that
most of them had been cut off, and especially
the Addina detachment, as 1t had been led on by
its youthful chief TO the hottest part OF the en-
gagemen,. The enemy had marched 10 the
neighbourhood Of Accra, but fearful oil the Eu-
ropean guns belonging 10 the different fortres-
ses, had :hen retreated, devastating the whole
country round them, carrying away all the peo-
pie as slaves or victims for sacrifice, and sweep
inc of every thing which was portable. Tar
bara was said 10 have fallen by the blow Of one
Of the heavy swords Of the Ashantees, his head
was supposed 10 have been cut off, that his skull
might ornament the royal palace, and his body
left to be devoureG by vul,ures and wild beasts.
Great was the CONSERVATION at Addina on the
receipt Of these tidings, but to none did they
convey such anguish as 10 Coomba and Amba.
The old woman would sill for hours with her
arms folded, calculating Ma ,coo, ma ,Doo!"s
while her daughter.iu-law never uttered COM
plainl, but lay Oh a mat, entirely covered with
cloth, insthat quiescent state which hopeless
grief generally causes in naturally vigorous
mind One general custom was held in hon
or Of the dead, to which Coomba and Amba
sen, their contributions of gunpowder and pro-
k.,s rta,, ~.
tend. After six weeks the csrsmany~ yas Haas-
81 ;anches in the air, and the town resumed its
tranquility. Then it was that the stigma oil The
wi,ch's daughter was revived, and the death OF
Tarbara and his companions was ascribed to
his having married woman of such wicked de.
scent Score, plots were al length laid to get
rid Of her and soon reacI ed the ears Of the per-
SON against whom they were directed. Coom-
ba was also made acquainted with these cabals
by slave, in gratitude for some kindness on
the part of Amba, and alarmed she sought the
protection Of the governor, who eagerly replied,
that he could only protect Amba by taking her
into the fortress, and as an earnest of his good
intentions begged to send her present beads.
Coomba returned, and when Amba saw the pres
ent, and heard all that had passed, she exclaim-
ed, ooh, mother, why did you seek the protec-
ton of that bad man! His words, his presents,
all say that my safety is TO be purchased at the
expense of my 6delity TO Tarbara; but let your
people kill met is all the same 10 Amba now;
only let her belong always to Tarbara.''
Several who had been supposed dead had re-
turned singly to their homes, having escaped
from slaughter or captivity after the battle, and
all confirmed the above account relative to Tar.
bara. One evening, however, man arrived,
almost worn out with fatigue, and knocked al
,Coomba's door. II was one of Tarbaras own
people; and when refreshment and kindness had
enabled him 10 speak clearly, he said, it was
true that his master had been knocked down by
the handle Of sword, but his body had never
been found He himself had escaped from the
hands Of the Ashantees, and well knew that his
master was not among them, and he also knew
that they had made great search after Tarba-
fa's body, as his exertions on the day of battle
had excited peculiar hatred, and they wished to
make public spectacle Of his remains; bu,
their search had proved fruiuess, as he had been
called upon to examine the diffeIen: bodies, in
order to recognise the corpse Of his chief Am.
ba eagerly listened to this recital, and wearied
the man with eoniectures as 10 what had be-
come of the body, and the only probable result
was, that the wild beasts had dragged it away.
"And yet," said Amba, it is strange that they
should select his body only from heap Of
slain" The next morning she spoke to Coon
ba ia the following manner; some thing tells
me that Tarbara is not dead, and will go and
find him: nay, do not tell me that cannot do
it at all events let me try. If stay here, am
exposed to the governors opportunities; am
pointed at with scorn; and such schemes are
plotted against my life as must ultimately de-
stroy nue.; and you yourself said the other day,
that must leave the country or perish. If
60 back to Assema, there is no one to take care
Of me: let me then go to Accra and do some
good, for l can there hear more about Tarbara.
If he is really dead, can go where you please,
or can die too; bur if find him We shall come
back together" Coomba for while was deaf
to her arguments, but a, last gave her con sent,
Instructed her how to proceed at Accra, sup
piled her with provisions and money. and sent !
her in canoe, with relation who was going |
to that place.-Amba arrived there without ae-
ooh dear! oh dear,