A VILLAGE BURNT. 85 



shot of the bank, the firing from the bush and 

 the town recommenced ; on which our lads, giving 

 three cheers, pulled for the bank, where we in- 

 tended to land. The bank was of mud, about six 

 feet high, and on my first jump on shore, I found 

 myself up to my knees in it; but seizing the boat- 

 swain of the Quorra, a remarkably stout fellow, 

 he quickly extricated me, and we gained the 

 top of the bank. The natives had been annoy- 

 ing us with musketry all this time, although 

 they had done no harm ; but as soon as they saw 

 our heads above the bank, they retreated to the 

 morass behind their huts. I had much difficulty 

 in keeping the men from following them into the 

 bush : however, after setting fire to the roofs of 

 the huts, I succeeded in getting them into their 

 boats again. The Alburkah's boat with Mr. 

 Lander had been detained, and having a strong 

 current to pull against, did not join in the attack, 

 but came up immediately afterwards. On leav- 

 ing the town, I was surprised at the sudden re- 

 appearance of the inhabitants, who commenced 

 firing on the boats, uttering at the same time 

 loud yells. I had returned to the Quorra, when 

 I perceived one of the Alburkah's men standing 

 under the bank on a narrow edge of mud. In 



