Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/373

 point of contention, where a heavy fire was exchanged; and as their approach could not be perceived, in consequence of the smoke, the officers and men cheered, to announce that support was at hand, and had the satisfaction to hear it warmly returned, both by the military and those afloat. The attacks of the enemy had been simultaneous; the gun-vessels in the creek having been assailed by a number of war-boats, while the troops on shore were opposed to a force estimated at from 1500 to 2000 men.

Upon Captain Marryat’s arrival, he found the enemy’s troops had not retreated, but still kept up a galling fire. The war-boats, which had endeavoured to board the Kitty gun-brig, had been beat off by the exertions and gallantry of Mr. Robert Crawfurd, commanding that vessel, and were apparently rallying at a short distance up the creek, with a determination to renew the attack; but on perceiving the Larne’s boats advancing a-head of the gun-vessels, they made a precipitate retreat. Chase was immediately given, and five of them, which had been most severely handled, and could not keep up with the main body, were successively boarded and carried.

The spears remaining in the aides of the Kitty, the ladders attached to her rigging, and the boarding netting cut through in many places, proved the severe conflict which had been sustained, and induced Captain Marryat to recommend the very meritorious conduct of Mr. Crawfurd to the favorable consideration of the Governor-General in Council.

From the number of dead found in the captured boats, and the crippled state of many others, the loss of the enemy in this water attack, cannot be estimated at less than 250 men. The Kitty had only two sepoys (doing duty as marines) killed, and her commander and four men wounded. The active and zealous support which he received from Lieutenant Fraser and Mr. Duffill was again publicly acknowledged by Captain Marryat; who also gave great praise to Messrs. King and Frames, commanding the Narcissa and Tiger gun-vessels, for the well-directed and destructive fire which they poured into the enemy’s war-boats.

