they must have been at least twenty miles from
the Bayo when the schooner first opened her fire, the sound
reaching them roused the rowers from their indolence, who, pulling
with all their might, hurried on, whilst the most profound silence
reigned among the troops, and, gaining the creek in little more an
three hours, sent fresh reinforcements to share in the danger and
glory of the night.

Nor was a moment lost by the sailors in returning to the island.
Intelligence of the combat spread like wildfire; the boats were
loaded even beyond what was strictly safe, and thus, by exerting
themselves in a degree almost unparalleled, our gallant seamen
succeeded in bringing the whole army into position before dark on
the 24th. The second and third brigades, therefore, now took up
their ground upon the spot where the late battle had been fought,
and, resting their right upon the woody morass, extended so far
towards the river, as that the advance by by wheeling up might
continue the line across the entire plain.

But instead of taking part in this formation, the advance was
still fettered to the bank, from which it was additionally
prevented from moving by the arrival of another large ship,
which, cast anchor about a mile above the schooner. Thus were
three battalions kept stationary by the guns of these two
formidable floating batteries, and it was clear that no attempt
to extricate them could be made without great loss, unless under
cover of night. During the whole of the 24th, therefore, they
remained in this uncomfortable situation; but as soon as darkness
had well set in, a change of position was effected. Withdrawing
the troops, company by company, from behind the bank, General
Keane stationed them in the village of huts, by which means the
high road was abandoned to the protection of a piquet, and the
left of the army covered by a large chateau.

Being now placed beyond risk of serious annoyance from the
shipping whole army remained quiet for the night. How long we
were to continue in this state nobody appeared to know; not
whisper was circulated as to the time of advancing, nor a surmise
ventured respecting the next step likely to be taken. In our to
whose rumours we had before listened with avidity, no confidence
was reposed. It was quite evident, either that they had
purposely deceived us, or that their information was gathered
from a most imperfect source; and hence, though they were not
exactly placed in