These troops were scattered in small bodies over a large extent of country, for the most part hundreds of miles from the coast.

There was a great paucity of officers, too; and of these, many were about to take their year's leave home, worn out and weakened by the unhealthy climate.

By prodigious exertions, however, all were at last collected, and in readiness to proceed to the scene of operations.
Picking up troops at several points, the steamer at last arrived off Cape Coast; but not yet were they to land.

A strong wind was blowing, and the surf beat with such violence, on the shore, that it was impossible even for the surf boat to come out.

The officers had nothing to do but to watch the shore.