With three of the larger guns and two seven-pounders, they started for Esumeja on the 22nd.

The force was a compact one, the only carriers allowed being one to each white man, to take up some food and a blanket.

Major Melliss commanded the advance.
They marched rapidly, as it was all important to take the enemy by surprise.

Some distance short of Kokofu, they stopped for breakfast.

Then the officers were assembled and, when the plan of attack had been formed, the column moved cautiously on.
The place was only a mile away, so that an attack was momentarily expected.