I pursued
them. Away we went at good speed, but they paddled faster. It did not
occur to me at the time that they were making their escape from the
town. When I looked astern I found that our own boats had gone to the
southward, and that between me and them was a large body of native
canoes. To attempt to pass them would have been madness, so I pulled on
up the river. The blacks were so engaged in the fight, that I was not
perceived. I therefore pulled up the stream till it was dark, and then
lay hid for some time to rest and refresh my men. I bethought me that
having got thus far, I would employ myself profitably. I therefore
dropped an anchor, and let the men take a couple of hours' sleep; then
once more getting under weigh, I dropped down, sounding as I came, and
passed right round to the west of the island. When abreast of it I saw
dark objects moving across the channel, and found that they were canoes
crossing and recrossing, and I have no doubt carrying off household
goods and other property, and perhaps some of the inhabitants were
making their escape. At all events, it looks as if the natives were not
very sanguine of success. I had to wait till I had an opportunity of
threading my way between them, and it was only just at daybreak that I
was able to get clear. I must now go and make my report to the
captain."

Not long after this the signal was given to attack, and the whole
squadron was quickly in movement. There was not a man engaged who was
not resolved to redeem, if possible, the loss of the previous day. The
boats, as before, pulled round to the northward, where the houses of the
king and his prime ministers, as well as of the European slave-dealers,
were situated, while the steamers took up positions on either side of
the town. There was no mistake this time as to what was to be done.
The sad loss of life which occurred on the previous day arose, it must
be remembered, entirely in consequence of the grounding of the steamer.
This made it necessary to land in the face of a hot fire and to storm
the stockades, while it also brought about the subsequent disasters.
The signal was given and the steamers and boats opened a steady and
well-directed fire, which soon began to tell. House after house was
seen to be in flames. The blacks returned it, but with very different
spirits to the previous day. They had fancied after the apparent defeat
the English had suffered on the previous day, they wo