enemy's guns, as soon as they had no floating opponents directly in front, directed their fire at the island, and misled by the flagstaff, peppered away at that, to the great delight of the rocket-party, who were safe behind the bank; however, the enemy discovered their mistake, and turned their guns in the proper direction of the rocket-battery. The shot fell harmless, as they either stuck in the bank or passed over the men's heads like cricket-balls. Now and then a single rocket was sent into some of the enemy's embrasures, which accelerated a return of shot. When the little ‘Dolphin' came down, leading the convoy, at the order, "Cover the Dolphin,'" another volley and running fire burst forth, accompanied with loud cheers for the gallant little vessel, which passed down with slight damage. Preparations were made for decamping, and, as a last salute, the flag-staff was waved in the face of the enemy, which appeared to annoy them much, as a heavy fire was drawn towards the retreating party; but as they spread out wide apart, the shot passed through without touching a single man or article belonging to them. The boat was soon reached, the willows cast off, and all hands got on board, when "Out oars!" was the word, and away they pulled down the stream to join the fleet. After these events the British and French squadron relieved Monte Video from an attack made on it by some of the allies of Rosas, and for some time their marines and seamen occupied it, and assisted in placing it in a better position of defence. THE WAR IN NEW ZEALAND, AFTER the English had taken possession of New Zealand, several of the native chiefs revolted, and took refuge in strong forts, generally on the tops of hills, and formed of mud and stockades. These forts are called pahs. The war had been carried on for some time, and a considerable number of Red-coats as well Blue-jackets were occasionally employed in it. During the storming of one of these pahs, one of the 'Castor's' sailors, named Sergeant, climbed to the top of the stockade, and commenced loading away and firing at every one of the enemy that he could see; and when ordered by Colonel Wynyard to come down, he coolly replied, "Oh, no, your honour; here's the place to see 'em. Come up here." It was afterwards found that his cap had been shot off, his coat shot through in four places, and the palisade on which he sat was riddled through and through; but the man himself was never touched. EXPEDITION TO SAN JUAN DE NICARAGUA, UNDER CAPTAIN G. G. LOCH, R.N. CAPTURE OF FORT SERAPAQUI, February 21st, 1848. THE State of Nicaragua will be found towards the southern portion of that narrow neck of land which joins the two continents of North and South America. A variety of outrages and insults having been offered to British subjects, two individuals especially having been carried off from San Juan by Colonel Salas, of the Nicaraguan army, Mr. Walker, Her Majesty's Consul-General and Agent, stationed at Bluefields, sent to Admiral Austen, the Commander-in-Chief on the West India station, requesting the support and protection of some ships-of-war for British interests in that part of the world. In consequence of this request, the Admiral despatched H.M.S. 'Alarm,' Capt. Granville G. Loch, and H.M.S. Vixen,' Commander Ryder, to Bluefields. They reached the mouth of the river the following day, where the ships came to an anchor. The nearest Nicaraguan settlement was at Serapaqui, about thirty miles up the river, but which, from the strength of the current and various rapids, is generally a four days' journey by boats. It was understood that Col. Salas was stationed at this fort with a considerable body of troops. Nothing daunted by this, by the known strength of the fort, and the difficulty of approaching it, on account of the rapidity of the current of the river which there flows by it, Capt. Loch resolved to insist on Colonel Salas making all the reparation in his power, or, in the event of his refusal, to compel him to do so by force. The fort of Serapaqui was situated on a point projecting into the river very abruptly, to the height of fifty feet. It was protected in the rear by a dense forest, and in the front by an abattis formed of large trees felled, with their heads and branches reaching into the river. The defences of the fort consisted of six angular stockaded intrenchments, formed of very tough timber, eight feet high, and four feet thick, one side of each stockade looking across the river, and the other down the reach. The principal stockade commanded the only landing-place, on which also a gun was at the time mounted. The fort was only to be approached by heading a rapid current of nearly five knots an hour, in order to pass the fort and descend towards the landing-place, which was above the stockaded batteries, and excessively steep and narrow. The fort is situated at the head of a straight reach about a mile and a half long, the woods on either side affording an almost impenetrable shelter to a concealed foe. As soon as the ships anchored, the expedition, consisting of 260 officers and men, left their sides in twelve boats. The representations as to the strength of the current were found to be in no way exaggerated; but with a gallantry, zeal, and perseverance never surpassed, Capt. Loch and his brave followers pulled on hour after hour against the stream. Often they had to pass over downfalls and rapids, when it was only by the greatest exertions the heavy boats could in any way be forced along; and in this service Lieut. Scott, First of the 'Vixen,' showed the most praiseworthy zeal and gallantry. At night they rested, but at an early hour again each morning they recommenced their exertions, and at length, after a most fatiguing pull of 72 hours, they anchored a short distance below the fort. Early on the morning of the 12th of February, the expedition got under weigh, and proceeded up towards the fort. Captain Loch and Commander Ryder went on ahead in their gigs, in order to communicate with Colonel Salas, and to state the object of Her Majesty's forces being in the river. No sooner, however, were they seen from the fort, than they were fired at by two guns, and directly afterwards by musketry from both sides of the river. As this act effectually prevented any peaceable arrangements, Captain Loch immediately ordered up the boats for the purpose of storming the fort. The two gigs then took the lead, followed pretty closely by some of the lighter-pulling boats. On they went, pulling against the rapid current, which, as they advanced, grew still stronger, and exposed all the time to a hot fire of musketry from men concealed behind both banks of the river, so that there was little use even in attempting to return it. From this severe fire several men were wounded, and one officer very severely-Mr. R. Turner, midshipman -and two killed. The boats were also almost riddled with shot, and nearly half the oars were broken; and it seems surprising, considering also their crowded state, with the mill-stream rate of the current, that a |