But the strongest fort of all stood on the bank of the river near the beach.

There the Rajah of Qualla Battoo, who was the real author of the attack on the _Friendship_, had gathered a large force of his best warriors and announced that he would fight to the death.
The strength of the force which marched against the fort was eighty-five men.

One of the officers who took part in this attack said: "The natives were brave and fought with a fierceness bordering on desperation.

They would not yield while a drop of their savage blood warmed their bosoms or while they had strength to wield a weapon, fighting with that undaunted firmness which is the characteristic of bold and determined spirits and displaying such an utter carelessness of life as would have been honored in a better cause.

Instances of the bravery of these people were numerous, so much so that were I to give the detail of each event my description would probably become tiresome." The barricades stoutly resisted the fire.