Leaves from a middy's log

by Arthur Lee Knight

We had reason to change our minds when we reached the shore and grappled with our determined foes.

At the last moment the captain sent a sub-lieutenant and the gunner to assist us in the cutters, and the boatswain and one of the middies shared the honours of the jolly-boat.

With a cheer we shoved off from the ship, fully expecting to see jets of flame dart from the embrasures of the fort, and hissing shot and shell come hurtling through the air in our direction. At first, however, all was silent in the battery. Not even a cheer or a shout was audible, and no defiant bunting flew from the flagstaff which occupied a prominent position on the sea-front.

Mr. Thompson immediately took the offensive, and with his nine-pounder opened a brisk and well-directed fire upon the mutineers and their allies. This had the effect of creating some confusion within the fort, as we were able to observe with our glasses; and this was still further increased when we began peppering them with rockets from the cutters. After a time, however, they steadied down and returned our fire with very indifferent aim from six guns, which appeared to be the armament of the work. The Rattler now brought some of her guns to bear, and her heavy shell told with great effect, making a breach in the sea-front and dismounting two of the guns even before we had reached the landing-place.

Under cover of this iron hailstorm we got our gallant fellows safely on shore, formed them up, and charged forward up the hill at the double. As yet not a man had fallen, though there had been some narrow escapes which seemed to me almost miraculous. As we swept up the slope to the assault, the enemy depressed the muzzles of their remaining guns, and met us with a galling salute of grape-shot. This discharge, at almost point-blank range, cut up our ranks a little. Undaunted, we gave a loud cheer and pressed on without a moment’s hesitation—Mr. Thompson waving his sword well in advance, and shouting words of encouragement.

The frigate was now obliged to suspend her fire, as was also the pinnace, which latter, in charge of the gunner, had taken up a position in the creek so as to cover our advance.

In the onward rush, Charlie and I found ourselves advancing side by side, though we could scarcely identify each other through the cloud of dun war-smoke that enveloped us as we approached the battery. Now and again the ruddy jets of flame darted angrily through the vapour, as the mutineers and insurgents plied their guns; and the hoarse roar of the artillery and the sharper rattle of the musketry made a terrible din in our ears as we pressed onwards.

As yet we had not fired a shot in return, as Mr. Thompson’s plan was to rush the fort and, if possible, carry it at the point of the bayonet in true British style.

“Well, Jack,” shouted Charlie, “what do you think of this for a nice little shindy?”

“It’s rather awful,” I replied; “not that I funk it in the least, but I can’t bear to see our brave fellows knocked over. Lobb, the captain of the mizzen-top, was killed by a round-shot just now, and you know he was rather a pal of mine.”