At the first alarm the tents had all been levelled; and a thick barricade of bales erected, round a slight depression of the plateau at the foot of the cliff in its rear.

Here the ladies were placed, for shelter.
As the light increased, it could be seen that in addition to the two ships were a large number of native dhows.

Presently, from the black side of the ship, a jet of fire shot out; and at the signal a broadside was poured into the Indiaman by the two vessels.

At the same moment, with a hideous yell, hundreds of black figures leaped to their feet on the beach, and rushed towards the, as yet, unseen position of the English.
The captain shouted "Fire!" and the twenty guns on the plateau poured their fire simultaneously into the side of the brig.

The captain then gave orders that two of the light guns should be run along the terrace, to take position on the flanks, and aid the soldiers against the attacks.
This time Charlie had lent his rifle to Peters, and was himself armed with his double-barrel gun.
"Steady, boys," Mr.Hallam, the ensign who commanded the soldiers at the side where Charlie was stationed, cried; "don't fire a shot till I give the word, and then aim low." With terrific yells the throng of natives, waving curved swords, spears, and clubs, rushed forward.