J24 VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAlt. 



arms» and to prepare for marching. to waioi^ 

 the enemy in order of battle. Fifty houfes 

 were then perceived, all regularly placed in 

 a linCj one of which, larger and higher than 

 the reft, was judged to be that of Benyow- 

 fki. They had not yet feen the fort, as 

 the view of it was intercepted by a fmall 

 grove of trees : but as foon as they diftin- 

 guiflied it, they obferved about an hundred 

 men who y^ere retiring to it with precipi- 

 tation. 



This fort, fituated on an eminence, and 

 furrounded by ftrong patifades, was defended 

 by two four pounders and a few fwivels. As 

 foon as Benyowfki judged that the French 

 were near enough, he ordered his men 

 to fire the cannon. The firll difcharge was 

 with bullets ; the fecond with grape fhot j 

 and the third with fmall balls. Thefe three 

 difcharges were fupported by a brifk fire of 

 mufketry ; but notwithftanding this de* 



fence, 



