By this time the canoes were side by side, and with astonishing rapidity the luggage of the Landers found its way into those of their opponents.  This mode of proceeding was not relished by them at all, and Richard Lander’s gun being loaded with two balls and four slugs, he took deliberate aim at the leader, and he would have paid for his temerity with his life in one moment more, had not three of his people sprung on Lander, and forced the gun from his hands.  His jacket and shoes were now plundered from him, and observing some other fellows at the same time taking away Pascoe’s wife, Lander lost all command over himself, and was determined to sell his life as dearly as he could.  He encouraged his men to arm themselves with their paddles, and defend themselves to the last.  He instantly seized hold of Pascoe’s wife, and with the assistance of another of his men dragged her from the fellow’s grasp.  Pascoe at the same time levelled a blow at his head with one of their iron-wood paddles, that sent him reeling backwards, and they saw him no more.

Their canoe having been so completely relieved of their cargo, which had consisted only of their luggage, they had plenty of room on her for battle, and being each of them provided with a paddle, they determined, as they had got clear of their adversary, to cut down the first fellow who should dare to board them.  This, however, was not attempted, and as none of the other canoes had attempted to interfere, Lander was in hopes of finding some friends amongst them, but at all events, he was determined to follow the people who had plundered them, to the market, whither they seemed to be going.  They accordingly pulled after them as fast as they could, and they were following the canoe that had attacked them, with the utmost expedition, when they were hailed by some people from a large canoe, which was afterwards found to belong to the New Calabar River.  One of the people, who was apparently a person of consequence, called out lustily, “Holloa, white men, you French, you English?” “Yes, English,” Lander answered immediately.  “Come here in my canoe,” he said, and their two canoes approached each other rapidly.  Lander got into the canoe, and put three of his men into his own, to assist in pulling her to the market.  The people of the canoe treated him with much kindness, and the chief gave him a glass of rum.

On looking round him, Lander now observed his brother coming towards him, in the Damaggoo canoe, and the same villain, who had plundered his canoe was also the first to pursue that of his brother.  The canoe in which Richard was, as well as the war canoes, hastened to a small sand island in the river, at a short distance from the market, and John Lander arrived soon afterwards.  In a short time the Damaggoo people made their appearance, and also the chief of Bonny’s messenger, having, like themselves, lost every thing they had of their own property, as well as of their masters.