Page 460 - INDIANNAVYV1

428 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NA\"Y.
Lloyd, with forty seamen from the ' Investigator.' A large
body of the enemy were seen in their trenches half a mile to
the southward, but immediately^ our force was put in motion,
they disappeared among the jungle, and we then occcupied a
breastwork guarding the road to the interior. A short halt
was made for arrangements and the guides to be landed. At
noon we were again put in motion, and commenced our march
to the stockades along a narrow pathway, admitting, in many
places, only two abreast, and intersected with rivulets. In
about twenty minutes we were upon the spot of the expected
stockade, but the enemy had previously demolished it, leaving
nothing but a few of the large posts standing at its angles, and
the intrenchments not filled up. From this place we pushed
forward one and a half miles more, and came upon a well-con-
structed stockade, capable of containing four thousand men,
with a double fence round a sand breastwork, and well filled
up between with pointed bamboo stakes inclining outwards,
and I regret to say that William Williams, seaman of the
' Hastings,' was severely wounded by one of them running into
his foot. Here again the enemy fled upon the approach and
firing of the light troops in advance, when our party triumph-
antly entered the gates and took possession. A small jingal,
with a pair of colours were taken, and the stockade set on fire,
which consuujed the whole of the interior buildings ; and from
the explosion of some concealed powder, did damage to the
breastwork and outer fences. From this we marched on the
left, and destroyed another large stockade, which had no out-
work, but a breastwork inside the stockade, about four feet six
inches high, and barracks sufficient to contain three thousand
men ; from hence we marched down to the beach and occupied
our former position within the breastwork, and slept under
arms for the night. About half-past three o'clock next morn-
ing, we were aroused from our slumber by the enemy, who
commenced an attack on our picquets. We received them with
cheers, and every one was at his post instanter. The enemy,
when they found us on the alert, and our picquets commenced
firing upon them, retreated immediately to the woods, and
nothing more was seen of them. We continued under arms
till daylight, and then commenced a circuitous march of about
four miles to the northward, and passed three villages in the
rear of Umlahbeen ; but as they appeared to be Mug habita-
tions, with no work of defence about them, they were not
destroyed. We then marched towards the sea, and came up in
rear of the breastworks, which the frigate under your connnand,
upon a former occasion, drove the enemy from. We proceeded
along the beach to the position held by us during the night,
where we halted, refreshed the men, destroyed the buildings,
and embarked the force. I have much pleasure in bringing to