Waally made his first push for the bridge, expecting to find it unguarded, and hoping to cross it unresisted.  He knew that the ship was gone, and no longer dreaded her fire; but he was fully aware that the Summit had its guns, and he wished to seize them while his men were still impelled by the ardour of a first onset.  Those formidable engines of war were held in the most profound respect by all his people, and Waally knew the importance of success in a rapid movement.  He had gleaned so much information concerning the state of the Reef, that he expected no great resistance, fully believing that, now he had seized the Mermaid, his enemies would be reduced in numbers to less than half-a-dozen.  In all this, he was right enough; and there can be no question that Socrates and his whole party, together with the Reef, and for that matter, the entire group, would have fallen into his hands, but for the timely arrival of the reinforcement.  The yell arose when it was ascertained that the bridge was drawn in, and it was succeeded by a volley from the guard posted near it, on the Reef.  This commenced the strife, which immediately raged with great fury, and with prodigious clamour.  Waally had all his muskets fired, too, though as yet he saw no enemy, and did not know in what direction to aim, He could see men moving about on the Reef, it is true, but it was only at moments, as they mostly kept themselves behind the covers.  After firing his muskets, the chief issued an order for a charge, and several hundreds of his warriors plunged into the basin, and began to swim towards the point to be assailed.  This movement admonished Betts of the prudence of retiring towards the gate, which he did in good order, and somewhat deliberately.  This time, Waally actually got his men upon the Reef without a panic and without loss.  They landed in a crowd, and were soon rushing in all directions, eager for plunder, and thirsting for blood.  Betts was enabled, notwithstanding to enter the gate, which he did without delay, perfectly satisfied that all efforts of his to resist the torrent without must be vain.  As soon as his party had entered, the gate was closed, and Betts was at liberty to bestow all his care on the defence of the crater.

The great extent of the citadel, which contained an area of not less than a hundred acres, it will be remembered, rendered its garrison very insufficient for a siege.  It is probable that no one there would have thought of defending it, but for the certainty of powerful support being at hand.  This certainty encouraged the garrison, rendering their exertions more ready and cheerful.  Betts divided his men into parties of two, scattering them along the Summit, with orders to be vigilant, and to support each other.  It was well known that a man could not enter from without unless by the gate, or aided by ladders, or some other mechanical invention.  The time necessary to provide the last would bring broad daylight, and enable the colonists to march such a force to the menaced point, as would be pretty certain to prove sufficient to resist the assailants.  The gate itself was commanded by a carronade, and was watched by a guard.