as suddenly as they had appeared, many throwing themselves into the
water and diving to avoid the shots that were fired after them. The loss
on the part of the natives was supposed not to be greater than upon the
former occasion, but its results were longer and more fearfully
remembered. Three men belonging to the colony, serving at the guns on
the eastern post were wounded, Gardiner and Crook dangerously, Tines
mortally; the Agent received three bullets through his clothes, but
providentially escaped without any bodily hurt.

There was at this time but little surgical knowledge, less skill, and no
instruments at the settlement. Its dispensary was liberally furnished
with James's powders and febrifuges; but for broken bones, and
extracting pieces of pot-metal or copper ship-bolts from shattered
limbs, there had been no provision whatever. A dull penknife or razor
were substituted for lancets; and for probes there was nothing to be had
but pieces of priming wire; the sufferings of those compelled to carry
in their cankering wounds the corroding metal, were indescribably
afflicting; and served to exemplify, most completely, the cruelty of
placing men subject to the casualties of war, beyond the reach of
surgical assistance.

A movement on the following night, supposed to indicate hostility,
induced the officer, on duty at the western post, to open a pretty brisk
fire of musketry, with several discharges from the large guns. This,
however, proved a most fortunate circumstance, for it was not only the
cause of bringing immediate relief to the settlement, but was finally
productive of the most beneficial results.

The English colonial schooner, Prince Regent, laden with military
stores, having as passengers Captain Laing of the Royal African Light
Infantry, and a prize crew commanded by Midshipman Gordon, belonging to
H.B.M. sloop of war, Driver, six days from Sierra Leone, bound for Cape
Coast, was at the time in the offing (a little past the Cape). So
unusual a circumstance as cannonading at midnight could not fail to
attract notice, and the vessel lay to till morning, when a Krooman
carried on board intelligence of the situation of the settlement, and
was immediately despatched on shore with offers of assistance.

On the following day the officers landed, and kindly undertook to
mediate on behalf of the colonists. An interview with the native Chiefs
was without much difficulty procured, their warriors having disperse