344 TEAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPOKT. 



" On the morning of the 23d, the expedition was 

 hauled into a creek near Hipp's Point, to refresh 

 the men, previous to attacking Walker's post of 

 fifty men and two cannon. At that moment a 

 steamer was heard coming down the river. The 

 men were made to lie down on the rafts. It was 

 a perilous moment. The steamer passed without 

 any one on board having seen or suspected the 

 lurking danger. A road or track was soon cut to- 

 wards the flank and rear of Walker's post, which 

 they silently reached. The signal (a single shot) 

 was given. The Costa Eicans rushed with the bayonet 

 with horrid yells upon their surprised foes, and in 

 half a minute resistance was at an end. A panic 

 had seized them. Some were bayoneted the rest 

 sprang off the bank into the deep and rapid river. 

 One brave officer (Captain Thompson) did all that 

 mortal man could do to rally the men, but in vain 

 the onslaught was too sudden and overpowering 

 to admit of a resistance. Captain Thompson only 

 ceased his exertions after he received a second severe 

 bayonet-wound. His very enemies, admiring his sig- 

 nal gallantry, liberated him subsequently at Grey town, 

 where also they did all in their power to alleviate his 

 sufferings. One man besides Captain T. was saved 

 from the river, and five escaped into the forest. The 

 rest are said to have perished. 



" A sufficient force having been left to guard Hipp's 

 Point, the rest of the adventurous band again com- 



