The crest of the hill was very narrow, indeed a mere saddle, with some eight or ten yards only of level ground between the steep descents on either side.

From this point the scouts perceived the first town in the territory of the King of Adansee, one of the five great kings of Ashanti.

The scouts and Russell's regiment halted on the top of the hill, and the next morning the scouts went out skirmishing towards Queesa.

The war drum could be heard beating in the town, but no opposition was offered.

It was not, however, considered prudent to push beyond the foot of the hill until more troops came up.
The scouts therefore contented themselves with keeping guard, while for the next four days Russell's men and the engineers labored incessantly, as they had done all the way from the Prah, in making the road over the hill practicable.
During this time the scouts often pushed up close to Queesa, and reported that the soldiers and population were fast deserting the town.
On the fifth day it was found to be totally deserted, and Major Russell moved the headquarters of his regiment down into it.