escaped are fled to their own country. Respecting the King's being slain, I am rather slow to believe it, although it is universally received as a fact here. They suppose the august personage whom they killed in his chariot, on the first day of the attack, to have been him. I have no reason to contradict the report, although I think it probable that they may be mistaken. The Akus are in high spirits.

15th. Early this morning Mawoo sent me a messenger to encourage us not to be afraid; stating that the Porto-Novans were now within a mile of their troops at Amawu, and to-morrow they were sure to commence fighting. Other messengers brought the same information to different parties in the town; and all were preparing for the worst, in case our troops should be scattered, and the enemy cross the marsh to this place. Thus a feeling of suspense pervaded the whole town, until an hour or two since, when the distant sounds of guns in the direction of Amawu broke the spell, and created universal excitement; and, in a little while after, a swift messenger announced that a detachment of the enemy's troops had entered the town, when they were immediately attacked and pursued into the forest. Another messenger has arrived within the last few minutes, bringing a human head, yet crimsoned with warm blood. This has been sent by one of our Chiefs to encourage the people, and show that they were conquering their enemies. This ghastly trophy is now insensibly bearing the blows and abuses of the people in the market-place, while the din which prevails throughout the town forbids description. Hundreds of women are crowding the banks of the Lagoon before our door, fetching water in little earthen pots, with which to sprinkle their Fetish and his premises, screaming most hideously, and dancing, imploring his protection. This is our preparation for the Sabbath!

18th. I thank God that I am again spared to enter another proof of his protecting care and goodness in my journal. Not expecting in the least any extraordinary exertion on the part of the enemy, and being anxious to accomplish some alterations and improvements in our chapel, yesterday, about mid-day, I proceeded with all our men to a place on the opposite side, about a mile and a half down the Lagoon, to obtain trees for the purpose. We were all busily engaged in conveying a large one to the canoe, when the discharge of several guns in

front of the town suddenly attracted our attention; and in a moment the same thought rushed into every mind, that the enemy were storming the town. We all ran immediately to the creek, which we had no sooner reached, than I heard the voice of our little house-boy calling with all his strength from a canoe at its entrance, begging us to make haste. There was no time for speaking: the firing increased, and each one seemed responsible for his own safety alone. The creek being very narrow, and full of soft mud, it was with the greatest difficulty that I could reach the canoe. We had landed on boards brought for that purpose, but had no time to prepare such a path now. The men waded through up to their waists, and I at length, through their assistance, reached the smaller canoe which we had brought; and we pushed off. And now it was, when we reached the open lake, that we saw our real position.

The town, and that part of the lake in front of it, were covered with dense clouds of smoke, arising from the stillincreasing discharge of fire-arms on both sides; and the water was studded with canoes, which seemed enveloped in flame, as piece after piece sent forth its deadly contents. We had just time to glance at the scene, when a fleet of canoes, about thirty in number, emerged out of the growing cloud, and shot toward us; the remaining part seemed stationary just opposite the Missionhouse, where they kept up a continual fire. I thought of my dear wife, the only inmate of my house, and I thought of God and heaven; but other thoughts also crowded my mind, The dolphinlike canoes of the enemy, shining under the rays of a cloudless sun, (I shall never forget their appearance,) were fast approaching, and all the men with me were terror-struck: they are generally brave and courageous; but they were unprepared, and the match was too unequal. Their faces, though sable, looked pale, and their paddles, though_hastily plunged into the water, seemed to be scarcely fit for ordinary use. Every eye was on the approaching foe. We had now three canoes with the one sent to call us, and, thinking that the swiftest, I sprang into it; but I immediately found that I had committed myself; for, on looking at my companions, I discovered them to be only two boys and a carpenter, who knew nothing about working a canoe: the others consequently went before me; and it was not without some exertion that I induced them to come to

my assistance, such was their terror. Here Mr. Morgue left the small boat which he before occupied, choosing rather to be with the main body in the large

canoe.

On leaving the creek, our course was direct across the Lagoon, which is here about half a mile in width; but two minutes showed us that we could not make good such a course. We then kept bearing off by degrees as the enemy approached, until, when within about one hundred yards of the marsh on the other side, we were nearly parallel with its course. This was the moment of real excitement: I did not doubt the divine goodness, but felt that deliverance was at hand. "But how? In what way?" asked my frail nature. We were now quite within musket-shot, and I expected every moment to hear the whizzing of bullets around my ears, while nothing like a landing-place appeared. The side of the lake here, to the extent of twenty or thirty yards, is covered with grass and rushes, growing on the water's surface to the height of eight or ten feet; and close at the back of it appeared a natural fence of thorns and brambles rooted in the mud, which, unpruned by the hand of man, seemed to bid defiance to the most persevering efforts to break through it. Thus were we situated, when the moment in which we could remain in our

canoes no longer, arrived. Out sprang the canoe-man who had come to my assistance, and, struggling for a moment, grasped the flags, and pulled himself through toward the thicket; another moment had scarcely elapsed, before I stripped off my coat, and plunged into the water after him; then followed the

whole company. Here great confusion prevailed: none could swim, and each one was entangling his fellow in the floating weed. I fell behind, following in their track, keeping my body up, and towing myself along as well as my clothing and the broken weeds would allow me. We now approached the thicket, when our hopes of escape seemed to fail, and I was just beginning to look for deliverance in some other way, finding we were shut in; when a little aperture at the water's surface caught my eye; another saw it at the same moment, and darted through before me, leaving behind only his boot, which rose to my face on the surface as I followed him. A few entanglements and struggles, and we emerged from the water and thicket, under the shade of large trees, which Í had no sooner done than my ears were saluted with the voice of Fergusson, my

interpreter, who, as it was seen from the town that our retreat was cut off, and we were closely pressed by the enemy, had been sent to learn our fate; and, following the bank of the Lagoon, he heard our plunging through the jungle, and stood on the nearest firm ground to receive and congratulate us. His first words were, "Thank God!" We had barely got behind the bush, when our canoes were seized; but we had escaped. My person and clothes were torn, and covered with mud. I now again thought of God, of his protecting care, and of my dear wife; and, hastily mounting Fergusson's horse, I proceeded towards home. The firing continued, in which the thundering report of the large guns was occasionally heard. I felt an indescribable thrill at the sound, and thought, "Of what scene is the Mission-premises become the seat! But my conscience clears me; my garments are free from any blood which may be shed: this is Badagry still!"

But

When I entered the town, the people took their watching eye from the invading fleet for a moment, and ran to congratulate me, receiving me as from the Lord; and many a person exclaimed, "Tank God!" who, I fear, had forgotten to do so all their lives before. On entering the Mission-yard, an universal shout took place throughout the whole crowd which thronged it. I was powerfully affected, and felt the deliverance of which we had been the subjects. my sympathies were still more powerfully acted upon, when, on casting my eyes toward the piazza, I beheld my beloved wife, standing with her bonnet on, in the midst of a company of congratulating natives. Though the enemy swarmed in front of our door, and continually discharged their instruments of death at our habitation, we had true joy. She had stood on the little balcony in front of our house, and seen our canoes leave the opposite bank, and had watched the fleet that left the main body to pursue us, following them and us with her eye, until to her we seemed almost blended, when nothing could further reveal to her our fate.

But there was no time yet to give even a hasty detail: the foe still maintained his position, and the noise of war absorbed all other subjects. I quickly changed my garments, and proceeded into the yard to encourage our people, and assist in preventing the enemy's landing. In a few minutes the disappointed warriors who had pursued me, rejoined their companions, bringing only

as trophies our boat and small canoe, the large one, we suppose, being too cumbersome for them to take away. It grieved me much to see ourselves thus deprived of those useful things, particularly as they were borrowed from the Factory. But how can I grieve, after being so signally delivered myself? The shades of the evening now closed in, and some of the shot from the large guns taking effect on their canoes, so that two were seen to sink, the whole fleet, about eighty in number, moved upward, giving and receiving shot as they passed along in front of the town. They at length glided off into the arm of the lake, in which they generally take refuge, leaving us to conjecture the time of their next attack.

The ensuing night found all parties busily engaged in devising increased means of self-defence; the proceedings of the day being so unexpected, that none were in a prepared state. My own strength was too much exhausted to admit of my remaining up. Suffering from an attack .of illness, and having remained in my wet clothes for a considerable time, I was obliged to retire to rest; but sleeping was altogether out of the question, as the clamorous noise and excitement which prevailed on all sides forbid description.

The day was beginning to break this morning, and I was hoping to obtain a moment's repose, when the cry, They are coming!" passed from one to another along the bank of the Lagoon, until it reached our yard. There had been a tornado during the night, and the morning light revealed a cloudy, wet, and cheerless day; such a morning as on ordinary occasions throws a gloom on every object. With an aching head, put on a suit of thick clothing, and took a hasty cup of tea at the bedside of my beloved wife, while the people crowded our yard, and prepared for war. My own messenger, whom I sent to the other end of the town to ascertain the truth of the report, now entered, and informed me that they were again drawing near. On their first appearing, several canoes from the town took parties to the other side, where they concealed themselves in the jungle, with the intent of suddenly firing on the enemy as they passed; but this device was observed by them, and, having approached to within about a quarter of a mile of the town, they retreated. We have indirectly received information from them to-day, by means of a spy from this place, that the destruction of

our house, and the capture of my per son, to take to their town to live with them, is their principal object; and they have expressed themselves as determined to do it at all hazards. This is more out of revenge on the Badagris, than from any ill-feeling towards me, on account of their not allowing me to visit the Oshoe country, when I had engaged to do so about six months since, on the occasion of their Chiefs' sending a com. pany of Headmen to make an acquaint ance with me, and invite me thither to teach them and their children my great "fetish" (religious) "palaver." These people are the most powerful allies of the Porto-Novans, in this Lagoon war; and had I not been prevented by the covetousness and deceit of the Chiefs here, from fulfilling my engagement to visit them, in all probability they would have remained our firm friends, and would not have allowed themselves to have been bought over by the PortoNovans; and in such a case this war in its present form would not have existed. It was observed that the Oshoes fought badly, and with a heavy heart pointed their guns toward the house in which they had been entertained, and the persons who had manifested so much friendship to them; but having been deceived by the Chiefs of this place, they allowed themselves to be bribed by the Porto-Novans, with whom they would most likely have been engaged in war themselves, had they refused to render their aid.

Native smiths were the only persons within doors to-day: they were busily engaged in making iron balls and other instruments of destruction. At four o'clock the war-cry was again raised throughout the town, and the coarsesounding tom-tom announced the approach of the foe. The Fantee people in the town, as well as the emigrants, now seemed anxious for war, and determined on not waiting for their arrival in front of our house; but ran to the last wharf at the extreme end of the town, there to meet them and drive them back. I soon followed them on horseback, to recall my own people, in case they should be defeated in their object, as our premises were now deserted.

The Lagoon at the point where the people were now assembled is about half a mile in width. On my arrival, I found the whole fleet, consisting of eighty-seven canoes, stretched nearly from side to side in an oblique direction. The line begun at about a hundred yards from the other bank, just opposite

the wharf, and extended nearly over to the side on which we stood, about half a mile above us. No more than about twelve canoes went out to keep them at bay, while hundreds of guns pointed from the bank across the narrowest part to prevent their passing. The plan was well laid, and proved effectual; for, seeing the whole strength of the town collected at that point, their hearts failed, and they feared to force the passage. The parties continued harmlessly firing at one another (the distance being too great) about two hours, when the shades of night again drove them to their retreat.

I am just returned to my still-spared habitation, though it seems doomed to destruction; for some of the respectable emigrants have just informed me, that parties in the town have been bribed to set fire to it during the night.

It is a source of great fear and suspicion to us, that at least one eighth of the people here are in heart friendly to the Porto-Novans, and, if they could escape it, would do nothing to prevent their taking the town. It has just come to light, that an individual here has been for some weeks past forwarding supplies of provisions to them.

There is another circumstance which has also increased our trouble to-day. During the excitement of yesterday afternoon, while I was absent, or else in the night, a person entered our bedroom, and took from a chest of drawers, which was visible from the outside, my watch, chain, and key, amounting in value to £20. I have made inquiry to-day respecting it, and have apprehended, on very suspicious grounds, one of -'s sons, the same that formerly poisoned himself through stealing on our premises, when he barely escaped with his life. But the subject is still involved in darkness, and I am afraid (though I scarcely doubt that he is the guilty party) that, in addition to all the trials of the past few days, I shall have to sustain this loss, which to me is very heavy. But, thank God, I have a better home above, where war is not known, and "where thieves do not break through nor steal." O Lord, be thou my strength, and I shall yet triumph.

19th. Nothing of the enemy has been seen to-day. The people are rather perplexed at the suspense in which they are kept. News have reached us respecting the interior: our troops are now settled at Abokuta, where they have about three hundred prisoners taken from the enemy. The amount of slain

amongst the Dahomans is said to be very great. A detachment of the troops has been sent through the country toward the encampment, which yesterday arrived at Mojiba, a village but a few miles distant from it. On their way down, they fell in with a few scattered parties of Addos. The information of their near approach struck terror through the Addos and Porto-Novans engaged with our troops at Amawu; and, leaving guns, cutlasses, ammunition, and various other things behind, they fled, and their camp is now entirely deserted: consequently triumphing and rejoicing prevail amongst our Chiefs in that part, and they rank themselves amongst the bravest of men.

We have received a message from them to-day, requesting us, if the canoes should come down again, not to follow them, that they were all disheartened and broken. The principal cause assigned for this, is the convulsed state of their own country. Great numbers of the Dahomans have proceeded thither, being driven back by the Akus; and, their expedition having proved an entire failure, they have raised a great disturbance, demanding something for the losses they had sustained, stating that efficient aid had not been rendered them in the war, and they were deceived. The consequence is, the PortoNovans are all anxious to hasten home, lest their town should be destroyed, and their country pillaged by their disappointed allies. All the Aku troops intend shortly to return to their old position at the encampment. We cannot

but feel thankful that the slave-dealing Dahomans have been so successfully met and defeated, as their coming was for slave-dealing, tyrannical purposes exclusively, than which nothing would more effectually obstruct the spread of Christianity and civilization. Though war in every case is attended with many horrors, and is degrading to man, the Akus in the present instance must be excused, they having acted purely on the defensive, and only fought for the rights of common humanity against the unwarrantable innovations of a tyrannical usurper. I fear this cannot be said of the people of this place. Their own perfidy and covetousness have been the cause of all their broils, the Chiefs being adepts in deceit and slavery; and, while they profess to be the friends of the English and the Akus, are secretly, by their man-stealing practices, kindling the vengeance of the neighbouring towns and countries, which continually threat