The Abeokuta people raised a cry of triumph.
"I imagine they have only fallen back," Mr.Goodenough said, "to give the guns time to cool." While the cannonade had been going on a brisk attack had been kept up on several other points of the wall, the enemy advancing within fifty yards of this and firing their muskets, loaded with heavy charges of slugs, at the defenders, who replied vigorously to them.

Their cannonade was not resumed that afternoon, the Dahomans contenting themselves with skirmishing round the walls.
"They are disappointed with the result of their fire," Mr.Goodenough said.

"No doubt they anticipated they should knock the wall down without difficulty.

You will see some change in their tactics tomorrow." That night Mr.Goodenough had a number of barrels of palm oil carried on to the wall, with some of the great iron pots used for boiling down the oil, and a supply of fuel.
"If they try to storm," he said, "it will most likely be at the point which they have been firing at.

The parapet is knocked down in several places, and the defenders there would be more exposed to their fire." It was at this point, therefore, that the provision of oil was placed.
Mr.Goodenough ordered fires to be lighted under the boilers an hour before daybreak, in order that all should be in readiness in case an attack should be made the first thing in the morning.