isoners
leaping overboard and perishing in the waves. Believing their officer
to be killed, the seamen, in the excitement of the moment, were about to
hurl the surviving prisoners over the gangway, when Lieutenant
Mansfield, partially reviving, ordered them to be imprisoned, that their
wounds should be washed, and that they should be reserved to be dealt
with by the authorities at Sierra Leone.

On the 1st of September the _Romeo Primero_, the scene of this bloody
encounter, entered the port. Lieutenant Mansfield, who, since the day
of the conflict, had scarcely been able to stir hand or foot, was
promptly conveyed to sick-quarters, and for many days his life was
entirely despaired of by his medical attendants. The gallant little
crew, all wounded, were also looked after in the best manner which skill
and sympathy could suggest; but two were soon beyond the reach of human
succour,--one dying of the direct consequences of his wounds, and the
second of fever induced by them. After a fortnight of extreme danger on
shore, Lieutenant Mansfield showed symptoms of recovery, and in the same
year received the rank of commander.

ATTEMPT TO RETAKE A PRIZE--1848.

The _Grecian_ having captured a clipper Brazilian hermaphrodite brig,
with nearly 500 slaves on board, Lieutenant D'Aguilar was placed in
charge of her as prizemaster, with ten men, and ordered to proceed to
Bahia, the sloop following him thither. The prize duly arrived, and
anchored at Bahia before the _Grecian_, and not the slightest suspicion
was entertained but that she was safe. In the course of the day,
however, Lieutenant D'Aguilar received some hints to the effect that a
combination was being made on shore among the slavers to attempt to
retake the prize; and, although nothing definite was communicated, it
was sufficient warning to him to be on the alert, and to take
precautions which saved him and his men from being massacred. The
evening passed off without disturbance; but about ten o'clock at night
several boats from the shore were seen pulling for the brig, containing,
it was estimated, 150 Brazilians. As they neared the prize, they were
hailed, and ordered to keep off, but with some boldness they advanced
alongside. The strangers having approached too near to be agreeable,
Lieutenant D'Aguilar endeavoured to check them by a discharge of
musketry. This commenced a most severe conflict, the fire being
returned by the pirates as they dashed alongsi