These were filled nearly to the muzzle with powder, and the plugs were driven with mallets tight into the muzzles.

Slow matches, composed of strips of calico dipped in saltpetre, were placed in the touch holes.

Then the word was given, and the whole party fell back to the gate just as the Dahomans in great numbers came running up.

In less than a minute after leaving the battery twelve tremendous reports, following closely one upon another were heard.

The cannon were blown into fragments, killing numbers of the Dahomey men who had just crowded into the battery..