HMS _Pantaloon_, ten-gun sloop, Commander Wilson, had been for two days
in chase of a large slave-ship, and succeeded in coming up with her
becalmed, about two miles off Lagos, on the 26th May 1845. The cutter
and two whale-boats were sent, under the command of the first
lieutenant, Mr Lewis D.T. Prevost, with the master, Mr J.T. Crout,
and the boatswain, Mr Pasco, some marines and seamen, amounting to
about thirty altogether, to make a more intimate acquaintance with the
stranger. The pirate gave the boats an intimation of what they were to
expect as they neared, by opening on them a heavy fire of round shot,
grape, and canister, in so spirited a style, that after returning the
compliment by a volley of musketry, the boats prepared for hard work.
Animated by the show of resistance, each boat now emulated the other in
reaching the enemy, the pirate continuing a sharp fire as they steadily
advanced, the marines as briskly using their muskets. In half a hour
from the discharge of the first gun from the slaver, the boats of the
_Pantaloon_ were alongside; Lieutenant Prevost and Mr Pasco on the
starboard, and Mr Crout, in the cutter, on the port side. The pirate
crew, sheltering themselves as much as possible, nevertheless continued
to fire the guns, loading them with all sorts of missiles, bullets,
nails, lead, etcetera; and, amidst a shower of these, our brave sailors
and marines dashed on board. Lieutenant Prevost and his party, in the
two boats, were soon on the deck of the prize. The master boarded on
the port bow, and, despite the formidable resistance and danger,
followed by one of his boat's crew, actually attempted to enter the port
as they were firing the gun from it. He succeeded in getting through,
but his seconder was knocked overboard by the discharge. The gallant
fellow, however, nothing daunted, was in an instant up the side again,
taking part with the master, who was engaged in a single encounter with
one or two of the slaver's crew. Having gained the deck after a most
determined resistance, they now encountered the pirates hand to hand,
when the cutlass and bayonet did the remainder of the work. Lieutenant
Prevost finally succeeded in capturing the vessel, but the pirates
fought desperately; and it was not until seven of their number lay dead
on the deck, and seven or eight more were severely wounded, that they
ran below and yielded. In the encounter, two British seamen were
killed; the master and boatswain, and five others were severely wounded.
Lieutenant Prevost received immediate promotion.