The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-04
which the Commissioner thinks will be very easy

which the Com missioner thinks will be very easy
matter
About I'VE p. N. we arrived within view OF Blap-
pah, the second point on the Volta chosen by
Glover The aspect OF the country changes for
the better about Blappan. The mangroves have
been gradually thinning ana have now finally dis
appeared Stately silk cotton trees down and
Guinea palms lord IL over fields OF waving corn.
cassava mlet plantain, &c, undisturbed by che
aggressions of the mangrove and the shrubs OF the
morass. Little hills begin TO show their crests
above the river bank, and villages are more ire
quent The atmosphere ID more salubrtous the
river current is swifter and prowner the banks
are higher and the red, cayey earth begins TO
show ITSELF
IN DANGEROUS QUARTERS.
Shortly after being warned that we might ex pect
a shot any moment from the enemy's ide, and
after placing the rocket Iroughs in order and pre-
pairing the Armstrong;. the steamer Rugged the
right bank, and, rounding point. Blappah Camp
became visible.
They were gallant. hearty set OF fellows who
welcomed US at Blappah landing. Sartorlus. a
Captain in the Sixth Bengal cavalry and son OF
Admiral Sartorus, OF the Royal Navy, Is man
who, like Glover. was evidently cut out for the
place he now fills. He is OF Hercuean frame, which
has been rendered tougher and better adapted to
withstand the shocks OF the climate by lifelong
course OF athletic exercises. The pugnacious spirit
predominates Ia him. and one of his temperament
would be out OF his sphere in any other condition
of life than the one which would enable him to en-.
Joy his sh ootng his lighting, his riding and outdoor
exercises without limit or end. could tell by
tue way his eyes constantly sought the other side
of the river. where group Of the enemy was
impudently regarding the declaration OF our
party and the landing Of the bulocks, by the way
they flashed with q grim humOr, mean time
wrinkling the corners, that poor SartorIus
was hankerng for the time when Glover
would tell him. ''Cross the river dear Sartorlus
and STAY them" 1t did not need him to tell us
how tired he was Of staying at Bappah; how he
was suffering from the inactivity which he could
not help. We had seen his Impotence in MS face
Sartorius reminded me by his physique OF Guy
Livingstone and That class OF largeimbed, resO-
lutte, undaunted heroes Laurence delights to de-
scribe. When the fight with the Awunahs and
Aquamus begins l am sure they will be as much
surprised at the vgor of this English officer they
will be by the spiteiul and alarming hiss of Hae's
rocket.
l have described to you
CAPTAIN sARTORIUs
first because he is the chief Of the forces at Blap
pan; but his brother officers are no meany formed
men either-especialy one Lieutenant Moore, Of
the Royal Navy, tall, lOngimbed, energetic fe-
low, with the lives and vvacity Of 100 common
men In him. His long boots fitted With his body
from one end OF the camp to the other in a sur
prsing way. The man seemed to be everywhere
at one time. surely, though Glover has but ten
officers with him, he cannot say but that he has
selected the very fttest men he could wish to as
sst him in his enterprise, for ten such men as /
have seen with him are worth 100 ordinary men |;
and, SO long they retain their health, have no
affac wi raid wi ~ ha
determined upon.
SartOrius thought with Captain GOdsworthy
that the enemy should not be permitted to stand
quietly and undisturbed on the other side OF the
river survey the actions OF his men, and accord
ingly sent q nine-pOund shell and q Hale's rocket
one after another at the curious and overmuch
unconcerned group, which had the effect OF dis
persing the insolents in very prectpitare manner
In all directions. SartOrus said, after the excite
ment was over, he wished he could show us better
fun, hut il we only stayed q week with him he
woud enable US to see how his men would punish
that party across the river
The exact number in his camp on that day, as
made out py the sergeants, was 2,94s consisting
OF Aquapims. Crobb0s, few Crepees. Haussas
and Ycrubas, all OF which, Captain Sartorius as
sured US that night, would be drawn out IN muster,
for our special Information. the next morning
Unfortunately, however the next morning tor
nado get in, accompanied by heavy shower OF
RAIN which, entirely precluded the possibility Of
muster or manGuvre.
Captain Sartorius, under directions from Glover.
while his chief was compelled to be inactive at
Accra, travelled through the country lying be-
tween Accra and Posse. on the Volta, above the
rapids aud his map Of his route furnishes invalu-
able information concerning little known lands
He says the country lying between Accra and
Akrapong Is in the main an open country, inter-
spersed with hills, until, on approaching Akrapong.
the hills become attached and form range
which, Tor saiubrity and fertility, has no
equal on the West Coast OF Africa. Beyond Akra-
pong, to Pong or Amedika, lying near the rapids
OF the Volta the land is exceedingly diversified by
wooded plain hill and dale. North OF Pong-the
country becomes open again, entirely devoid OF
bush-ciumps Of forest make travel agreeable and
pleasant The traveller is protected from the heat
OF the sun, while being free from the annoyances
OF the jungle Captain Sartorlus thinks that
THE STEAM LAUNCHES
may be easily drawn over the rocks OF the rapids,
by which an advance OF the expedition VIII be ad-
vantageously made, by means OF the river as far
as Posse. From Posse three moderate marches
will enable the expedition to reach the Prah,
whence no difficulties interpose beyond to Coo
mas5ie.
Alter Tue I-CSt generous hospitality Ddu Deeu
shown to us by the Captain and his brother officers
we descended the river next morning, and arrived
without incident at AIDA Forh, where the Com
missioner and Chief of the expedition was ready to
welcome US with the news that all the Accras had
Joined him. and to prophesy that in Jour days AIDA
Forh would be a deserted camp.
hope that Governor Glover will be able to make
his prophecy good; but, after some experience of
the native African, l am not prepared to be so
sanguine as to say that on the fifth day from to-
day the Governor will have departed to the war.
incline to the opinion that perhaps within eight
days he will be ready. and, once having started,
the great obstacle to rapid travel and movement
OF forces has been removed, and he may be able, If
he Will be stern and uncompromsing with the
dilatory chiefs and permit OF no delays, to be on
the Prah even before the end Of this month.
Tomorrow 1 return by the Dauntless to Cape
Coast Castle, at which point, perhaps. there may
be py this time something interesting to send to
YOU SO far this Ashantee expedition has been