About midnight
Seeing the uselessness of their efforts the Dahomans gradually slackened their fire . When night came Mr. Goodenough gathered two hundred of the best troops of Abeokuta . He caused plugs to be made corresponding to the size of the various cannonballs which were picked up within the stockade , which varied from six to eighteen pounders . About midnight the gate nearest to the breach was thrown open , and the party sallied out and made their way towards the enemy 's battery . The Dahomans had placed sentries in front facing the breach , but anticipating no attack in any other direction had left the flanks unguarded . Mr. Goodenough had enjoined the strictest silence on his followers , and their approach was unobserved until they swept round into the battery . Large numbers of the enemy were lying asleep here , but these , taken by surprise , could offer no resistance , and were cut down or driven away instantly by the assailants .