226 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



maintained from the trenches and walls. After a few 

 rounds had been fired, making excellent practice, three half 

 companies of infantry, supporting one another in column, 

 delivered an assault upon the gate. 



Within, the city seemed deserted, not the shadow of a 

 living soul was seen and an ominous silence reigned. Then, 

 as the troops neared the trenches and got within the angle 

 of the walls, suddenly the air was benighted with clouds 

 of arrows and shouts of " Allah ! Allah ! " arose upon a 

 deafening alarum of drums. So tremendous was the surprise 

 of the shock, that the leading column was forced to fall 

 back on its supports, and the men refused to go on, for they 

 said the place was full of "ju-ju." Thereupon Major Marsh, 

 who had been directing the operations from the square, 

 reahsing the critical position, went down at once to the 

 fighting line to lead the assault ; but he had no sooner come 

 within the line of fire than he was struck in the thigh by a 

 poisoned arrow and died within twenty minutes. Meanwhile, 

 Captain Robinson, Chief Staff Officer, had sent Lieutenant 

 Fox with a section to attack a hole in the wall about 150 

 yards to the left of the gate. The attack was successful 

 and an entrance effected ; when at the same moment Captain 

 Lewis and Lieutenant Maud with a few picked men made a 

 brilliant rush and captured the gate. Captain Lewis was 

 twice wounded, but continued in action, and one of his native 

 sergeants was shot through the heart. Once inside the walls, 

 his men worked round on either side of the gate till they joined 

 with those of Lieutenant Fox, and then there was no longer 

 any doubt that the assault had been successful. The enemy 

 fought with fanatical fury, defending themselves in the bukas 



