Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/15

  “The weather proved so unfavorable for boat-service on the night of the 8th, that although nearly 400 officers and men had been selected for this occasion, yet, on assembling under Great Banda, at two o’clock in the following morning, I found that the state of the weather would deprive us of the services of some valuable men under Lieutenant Stephens, of the royal marines, and the greater part of the detachment of the Madras European regiment, from whom I had expected the most steady support and assistance. The attempt was now to be made with less than 200 men, consisting of the seamen and marines, and about 40 of the Madras European regiment, or our labors in the boats through a dark and squally night, in the open sea, must have ended in the severest mortification. After getting under shelter of the land, the same circumstances of the weather which before operated against us, were now favorable to us; and the confidence I had in the handful of officers and men about me, left me no hesitation: and, with a degree of silence and firmness that will ever command my heartfelt acknowledgments, the boats proceeded to the point of debarkation.

“A dark cloud with rain covered our landing within one hundred yards of a battery of 10 guns; and by the promptitude and activity of acting Captain Kenah, and Lieutenant