In the meantime the rifles from the walls had again opened fire, and as the gunners were now more exposed their shots did considerable execution.

Seeing the uselessness of their efforts the Dahomans gradually slackened their fire.
When night came Mr.Goodenough gathered two hundred of the best troops of Abeokuta.

He caused plugs to be made corresponding to the size of the various cannonballs which were picked up within the stockade, which varied from six to eighteen pounders.
About midnight the gate nearest to the breach was thrown open, and the party sallied out and made their way towards the enemy's battery.
The Dahomans had placed sentries in front facing the breach, but anticipating no attack in any other direction had left the flanks unguarded.

Mr.Goodenough had enjoined the strictest silence on his followers, and their approach was unobserved until they swept round into the battery.

Large numbers of the enemy were lying asleep here, but these, taken by surprise, could offer no resistance, and were cut down or driven away instantly by the assailants.
Mr.Goodenough and Frank, with a party who had been told off specially for the purpose, at once set to work at the cannon.