GALLANT DEFENCE OF AN ENGLISH FACTORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1618, 25 July 1887, Page 3

GALLANT DEFENCE OF AN ENGLISH FACTORY.

Very serious native raids have taken place on the English settlement a of Sherbro and Sultyus, Weßt Coast of Africa. According to information received from Sierra Leone, the attacks were made by the " War Boys," under the control of three chiefs from the Gallinas country, 1 named Macias, Do was, and Dap pan. It appears that these chiefs had threatened hostilities for some time, but their threats were not regarded as serious Thej recently, however, made a descent m considerable force, and committed great devastation on their line of m*rch, plundering and burning the villages through which they passed, and killing all the inhabitants they could capture. The town of Jurying was taken by the " War Boys," and a largo number of people were slaughtered m the most cruel way, while about 300 were taken prisoners On entering British territory the " War Boys " divided themselves into two parties, proceeding m different directions. The i French factory at Sulymat and the JflDglith factory oa the Manoh river were attacked. In both -canes the li War Boys " made desperate attempts to take the places, m which were stored much valuable merchandise. In each of the factories there were a few native police for the protection of the Europeans. The agent of the English factory, Mr Henry Burnett, rallied his Kroomen laborers, who were about to rake to flight On the approach of tho " War Coys " the Kroomen were armed, and, headed by Mr Burnett himself, made a desperate and successful resistance. Ihey were assisted by the armed policemen. Three attacks were made by tbo "War Boys," who were, however, each time repulsed, leaving a number of dead behind. They carried their wounded into the bush whenever they retreated. So hot was the reception they received that the ' ' War Boys " did not attempt any further assault, but for four days they laid siege to the factory, and the gallant band of defenders du;lng this time dared not venture out. On the fourth day, by which time the ammunition of the defenders was nearly exhausted, her Majesty's ship Icariua arrived, with Mr HarJey Moseley, the Civil Commissioner, on board, and a body of bluejackets was landed. The enemy, however, did not wait for their attack, but retreated to the bush. The French factory waa attacked m a similar manner, but the people m it were also successful m beating off their assailants. Commissioner Moseley has sent word to Sir Samuel Bowe, and asked for instructions m reference to following up the natives into their own country and inflicting upon them a severe and summary chastisement. In the meantime, tho trade of the district is practioally at a standstill.