204 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



mark, and the fire was so true and well sustained, 

 that the guns on one face of the fort were actually 

 silenced by it for some hours. This experiment had 

 great interest for us. We had expected great things 

 from the rifle, but hardly anticipated such a result as 

 this. The weapon used on this occasion was not the 

 Minie, but the carbine a Tige. Thanks to this diver- 

 sion, the work was completed during the day and 

 night, and the batteries were ready to open fire 

 with four 16-pounders and four mortars. At day- 

 break on the 13th the first shot was fired. "We 

 heard it with exultation. It was our gage of battle, 

 and the signal of closer onset. Now would come 

 the tug of war if there were any. The progress 

 was at first too slow for our anticipation. The guns 

 were of light calibre, and being brass, could not be 

 fired quickly. The mortars did some damage to the 

 roof, and the rifles still worked mischief, but the 

 round-shot made comparatively little impression. 

 Many a visit of inquiry was made. Many times the 

 question was asked, "Is the breach made?" But 

 this result seemed still far off so far, indeed, that 

 the General requested Brigadier Jones to turn the 

 flank of the battery which he was erecting against 

 Fort Tsee to co-operate in its reduction. So stood 

 the probabilities, when at four o'clock there was a 

 cry that the white flag was hung out from the tower. 

 Men stared and rubbed their eyes to make sure of a 

 fact which seemed so improbable ; but there, sure 



