nd the slave-dealers, and
it was here accordingly, as it was right that they should be chiefly
punished, that the commander of the expedition resolved to commence the
attack. The following day being Christmas-day, he determined, in order
that that holy day should be spent as quietly as possible, and be a day
of rest, to wait till the 26th. This it was, except that the
slave-dealers wasted a large amount of ammunition by firing at the
squadron, which was far beyond their range. With infinite satisfaction,
soon after daybreak on the 26th, the order was received to proceed to
the attack. The scene may be easily pictured. Before them lay the
island surrounded by stockades, with palm-trees, and the huts and houses
of Lagos rising beyond them; the broad river in front full of shallows,
narrow channels only between them.

Towards the island the steamers and the squadron of boats now advanced.
At first all was calm and smiling. Jack and Paddy were in the same
boat.

"I wonder whether the scoundrels will give in without fighting,"
observed the latter; "I shouldn't be surprised."

"Not a bit of it," answered Jack. "They want first to be taught a
lesson or two which they cannot forget."

"But what can these miserable black fellows do against us? I should
think that we should blow them and their town up into the sky in a dozen
minutes or less," exclaimed Paddy, with a laugh.

Scarcely had he spoken when, from the whole line of stockades, showers
of round shot and bullets came rattling about the steamers and boats.
On dashed the whole squadron, the steamers keeping up a hot fire from
their great guns in return, though so well sheltered were the blacks
that not one of them could be seen. This sort of work continued for
some time, several officers and men being hit, when one of the steamers
grounded. She then became, of course, a target for the enemy, and
several people were wounded on board her. The boats meantime had opened
their fire to protect her, but so well were the batteries of the negroes
concealed that it was difficult to find out a point at which to aim. A
division of the boats was now sent round to the north-east point of the
island to ascertain the position and strength of the guns on that side.
These boats, after a hot fight, during which they upset some of the
enemy's guns, returned, and then made a gallant attempt to force the
stockades in order to land and spike the guns bearing heaviest on the
steam