The troops entered a deserted village, and there halted.
A few sentries were thrown out, and the colonel held a short council of war with Major Melliss and two of his other officers.
After some discussion, it was decided that a Hausa company should go on, and rush the stockade with the bayonet, without firing.

If they carried it, they were to proceed along the river bank beyond, and so place themselves as to cover the advance of the guns.
The scouts were called in; and the Hausa company set off, in fours, along the path.

When they had marched a hundred yards, the little band that formed the advance signalled that they made out something ahead and, when they rounded the next sharp turn of the road they saw, not thirty yards away, a great six-foot stockade, extending far into the bush on either side.

It lay halfway down a gentle slope, a situation which favoured the assailants for, naturally, the hill would increase the impetus of the charge.
The order was sent down in a whisper, "Stockade ahead, prepare to charge." The men kept together as closely as possible.

The buglers rang out the charge and, with a shout, the Hausas rushed at the stockade.