Then I gave the signal.

The pistols rang out, followed by a loud British cheer, as we rushed forward, cutlass in hand, on the gunners.

Aided by darkness and surprise, and the good aim of our first volley, we were soon on equal terms as regarded numbers; and after that there was of course no question as to whom the guns belonged.

Two of our fellows were killed and one wounded, leaving but me and one other to haul down the French flag.
Our orders had been to spike the guns, but as things had turned out it seemed better now to hold them, and if possible turn them on the enemy.
All had been done so quickly that those without knew nothing of what had happened.

We could hear the firing grow feebler and more distant, and guessed that our men had been outnumbered, and were being chased down to their boats.