Being joined by the policemen, Corporal Craven {175} and Ensign Pogson, they concealed themselves on an eminence above, and as the mutineers (about 100 in number) approached, the fire of muskets opened on them from the little ambush.

The little party fired separately, loading as fast as they discharged their pieces; they succeeded in making the mutineers change their route.
'It is wonderful what little courage the savages in general showed against the colonel and his little party; who absolutely beat them, although but a twenty-fifth of their number, and at their own tactics, i.e.bush fighting.
'A body of the mutineers now made towards the road to Maraccas, when the colonel and his three assistants contrived to get behind a silk- cotton tree, and recommenced firing on them.

The Africans hesitated and set forward, when the little party continued to fire on them; they set up a yell, and retreated down the hill.
'A part of the mutineers now concealed themselves in the bushes about San Josef barracks.

These men, after the affair was over, joined Colonel Bush, and with a mixture of cunning and effrontery smiled as though nothing had happened, and as though they were glad to see him; although, in general, they each had several shirts and pairs of trousers on preparatory for a start to Guinea, by way of Band de l'Est.

{176a} 'In the meantime the San Josef militia were assembled, to the number of forty.