354
LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.
the commencement of the attack, King Joachim hadplaced himself on the promontory of Massa or Campanella,which is within less than three miles of the Island, fromwhence he issued orders, and, in some measure, directed theoperations. No other place could be found by the Neapoli-tans for the effecting of another landing ; in fact I believe ,that the apparent search for one, was merely intended tobewilder poor Sir Hudson Lowe . The rest of the expedition >Jnow joined the other in Anacapri, and during the night ofthe 6tli October, the descent into Capri , by the celebrated |stair, was effected, and (greatly to the surprise of the fNeapolitans) without any resistance from the garrison, |which with their commander had prudently shut themselvesup in the town and castle. )
But now several British and Sicilian frigates and other »ships of war arrived with succour from the Island ofPonza, and from Messina . An attempt was made to land ;British marines and seamen on Anacapri, but failed. How- :ever, the squadron communicated freely with Sir Hudson and the town by the only beach upon the island ; and all ;communication between Naples and the attacking forces, ?•was intercepted.
Lamarque and Pignatelli erected a breaching batteryagainst the town, and also several others, to return thetremendous fire kept up by the British and Sicilian ships of :war. It may well be supposed that the effect of the Nea- fpolitan guns upon the walls subjected to their fire was in- *adequate to the purpose intended, inasmuch as they were |only six-pounder field pieces, and placed at four hundred jyards distance, so that the balls penetrated the masonry with- ■