The triumphant yells of the Dahomans at once changed their character, and a cry of wrath and astonishment broke from them.

Steadily Mr.Goodenough and his party kept up their fire.

They could see that great execution was being done, a large proportion of the shots telling.
Many wounded were carried to the rear, and black forms could be seen stretched everywhere on the ground.

Still the enemy's fire continued with unabated vigor.
"They fight very pluckily," Frank said.
"They are plucky," Mr.Goodenough answered; "and as cowardice is punished with death, and human life has scarcely any value among them, they will be killed where they stand rather than retreat." For three or four hours the fight continued.

Several officers, evidently of authority, surrounded by groups of attendants, came down to the guns; but as Frank and Mr.Goodenough always selected these for their mark, and--firing with their guns resting on the parapet--were able to make very accurate shooting, most of them were killed within a few minutes of their arriving on the spot.
At the end of four hours the firing ceased, and the Dahomans retired from their guns.