_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] _Buaki._ “Yes, they are well.” _Rowe._ “They have come here from Cape Coast. They travel in the bush more comfortably than I do.” _Buaki._ “Just so.” _Rowe._ “We may look for rain in about three months I suppose. How many months? Two, or three?” _Buaki._ “Yes.” _Rowe._ “During that time any one who has a house stops in it.” _Buaki._ “Yes.” _Rowe._ “I don’t like to be caught by rain in the bush. I don’t mind being here in the bush when it is fine. I’m afraid I can’t do much here to make you comfortable.” _Buaki._ “I quite understand that.” _Rowe._ “Still I am glad to see you, and, as far as I can, I will do my best for you.” (A pause, and Buaki asks permission to speak.) _Buaki._ “Your Excellency’s friend, the king of Ashanti, sent me to see you. While on the road I and my followers were taken sick, so that I had to delay coming down till we were well. I met the sword-bearer, Yow Mensah, at Yan Compene, who told me that you were waiting for me, and I sent him back to say I was coming. I am sorry I did not meet you at home, but I was ill by the way. I wish to know what time you will appoint for the business on which I have come.” _Rowe._ “With regard to that I must see how long it will be necessary to remain here, and then I shall have an opportunity of seeing about the matter we have to talk over.” _Buaki._ “Very good.” _Rowe._ “It is always a pleasure, and has been as I know for many years, to the English Government of the Gold Coast to receive messengers from the king of Ashanti when they are sent. What I am now going to say has no bearing on the point, but, as you have come to me as a special messenger from your king, and as I have already said that I am glad to meet you with a message from your king, I am going to say to you what I said to the former ambassadors, before your arrival. That is: the message I bring with me from the Queen of England is a message of peace, that I am to govern her people, and whilst I am to govern them I am to defend them, and take care of them, and have authority over them. I am also to live on friendly terms with her people.” (To this the interpreter added:--“The Queen is ready for peace or war, whichever you like.”) _Buaki._ “I have come down to stop all those small leaks in the roof which have been giving trouble of late. If I cannot do this, we must have a new roof.” (The interpreter rendered this--“I also have come for peace.”) _Rowe._ “I will think over the business I have to do in this part, and then I will arrange when and where I can assemble the officers of the Government who are fitting to be present when this matter is discussed. As I said before, the rain is coming. I hope you did not suffer from the rain.” _Buaki._ “I did not.” _Rowe._ “I hope all your people are well.”