Newspapers published the information below from Captain Boisragon:
We sent up another message soon after (through Chief Dore), asking again if any white men were alive, and got down an answer from the King to the effect that there were no white men alive in Benin City, and that he (the King) would receive no more messages from the white men.
If they wanted to come and fight, let them come. He would send down soldiers to the waterside to fight the white men. If these were killed, he would send down more until all his soldiers were killed; and then he would run away (retire to the countryside).
" His Majesty" acted up to his words, too.
References:
1) Boisragon, A. The Benin Massacre, 1897, page 160
2) THE BENIN EXPEDITION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADVANCE DEFIANT MESSAGE FROM THE KING. (REUTER’S SPECIAL SERVICE) SAPELE, BENIN RIVER, Publication: Guardian 1821 – 2000; Date: Feb 9, 1897; Section: None; Page 8