ove in our boat. We
managed to beach it, however, without much damage, and then started at a
run for our destination.

Before we reached it we heard shouts and the sharp crack of muskets,
which told us our manoeuvre had been detected and prepared for.

Then followed a regular race, led by the officers. While some fell,
others would get in; but that we should all return to the _Diana_ was
not to be hoped for.

The guns of the fort were so placed that once under them they could do
little harm. Our danger came from the enemy's infantry, who were
evidently in reserve to protect the guns.

Now I had spent part of the day in carefully studying the fort through a
telescope, and had come to the conclusion that a few nimble fellows, by
aid of ropes and the trees whose branches almost overhung the wall
behind, could enter it by the rear, and possibly, by creating a
diversion in that quarter, help the main body who attacked it from the
front. As soon as the order for a rush was given, I called on a few of
my comrades--among them one or two of the _Kestrel_ men--to follow me
and make the attempt. We made a long detour, and, as I expected, found
little or no difficulty in reaching the trees.

Once up these, it was not a very difficult feat to swing ourselves on to
the top of the broad wall and so gain the yard, where we could even now
see the gunners hard at work.

"Now, lads," whispered I, "each pick your man, fire when I give the
signal, and then for the guns."

There were but six guns, each manned by two men, and so intent were they
on the attack in front that they had not so much as the tail of an eye
for the rear. There were five of us in all. We kept well in the shadow
till we covered each our man. Then I gave the signal. The pistols rang
out, followed by a loud British cheer, as we rushed forward, cutlass in
hand, on the gunners. Aided by darkness and surprise, and the good aim
of our first volley, we were soon on equal terms as regarded numbers;
and after that there was of course no question as to whom the guns
belonged. Two of our fellows were killed and one wounded, leaving but
me and one other to haul down the French flag.

Our orders had been to spike the guns, but as things had turned out it
seemed better now to hold them, and if possible turn them on the enemy.
All had been done so quickly that those without knew nothing of what had
happened. We could hear the firing grow feebler and more distant,