Abbeokuta also, and
given a severe blow to the advancement of Christianity and civilisation
in Africa. On this account Mr Beecroft felt it his duty to apply to
the senior officer on the coast for a force to destroy Lagos, his
movements being hurried by hearing that the king of Dahomey had sent
1000 picked troops for its support.

The commodore, however, sent only the _Bloodhound_ and a few boats; and
Lagos being really a strong place, they were compelled to retire with
the loss of several men.

The first expedition against Lagos having failed solely from want of
sufficient force to keep possession of the town, Commodore Bruce sent
one of ample strength, and thoroughly organised, to drive the
slave-dealing chief Kosoko from his stronghold.

The squadron appeared off Lagos by the 24th December. The boats of the
_Sampson_ and _Bloodhound_ were for some time employed in ascertaining
the position of the enemy's fortifications. The _Bloodhound_ and
_Teazer_ at this time got on shore, and while they were being hove off,
their people were exposed to a very hot fire from the negroes, who soon
proved that they were no contemptible antagonists.

As the fire from jingalls, petrals, and muskets continued from the ditch
and embankment abreast of the ship, and as the enemy were observed
trying to bring their guns into position, at half-past two, Lieutenant
Thomas Saumarez, with the boats of the _Sampson_, accompanied by
Lieutenant E. McArthur, R.M.A., in command of the Marine Artillery, was
despatched to attempt a landing and to spike the guns. They did all
that men could do; but it was found impossible to make their way through
the showers of musketry opened against them. Mr Richards, a gallant
young midshipman, was mortally wounded, and ten men were severely
wounded; while so hot was the fire, that there seemed every prospect of
the whole party being cut off. Still they bravely persevered. While
undaunted efforts were being made to get on shore, Mr William J.
Stivey, carpenter of the _Sampson_, setting a noble example, which
others followed, leaped on shore, and, axe in hand, hewed manfully away
at the stakes to make a passage for the boats to go through them.

All, however, was in vain; their numbers were thinning rapidly; and at
length Lieutenant Saumarez himself, being hit in three places,
reluctantly, but very properly, gave the signal for return. The
remainder of the day was spent in throwing shot and shell, as