This was soon hacked down, and then they burst into the courtyard.
"Captain Aylmer, R.E., set to work to place a charge of gun cotton against the main entrenchment of the fort.

After repeated failures, the fuse was lighted and the gate blown in.

Captain Aylmer was severely wounded, in three places; and several of the men killed.
"So far the attack had been so astonishingly bold and quick that the main body were unaware of the success; and Colonel Duran, thinking the explosion was caused by the bursting of one of the enemy's guns, continued steadily firing at the fort.

The position of the twenty men and three officers was precarious, indeed, as they were thus exposed to a heavy fire from behind, as well as in front.

With splendid heroism, however, they held on to the advantage they had gained till some reinforcements came up; and then, pressing on through the shattered gate, they captured the fort.
"For a fortnight after this the force remained inactive, for no way of ascending the great ravine was known.