The suspension of the enemy's fire appeared to the Spaniards a favourable omen, instead of its being considered as a prelude to an important operation, and no one entertained an idea of capitulation except Monsieur Faller, who had waited on the Governor at an early hour, and endeavoured to persuade him to that measure. He there found the Oidor Señor Galban, who opposed it strenuously, and while they were in the midst of a warm dispute on the subject, intelligence arrived that the enemy had entered the city. In fact the English general had despatched in the night forty Frenchmen, of those he had made prisoners in Pondicherry, with orders to fill up the ditch with the ruins of the works, to examine the breach effectually, clear the way as much as possible, and give due notice of their progress. They performed all this to his entire satisfaction, for there was no one to interrupt them, and about six in the morning they made the signal that all was ready; upon which four hundred men were despatched under the command of Major Fell, who not being able to mount the breach in line on account of its steep ascent, they effected it with shouldered arms, and in such order as they could, apprehending nothing but the springing of mines; for such silence and tranquillity, in a place assaulted in breach, must have appeared incredible, except as the result of stratagem. Meeting with no opposition, Major Fell divided his troops, ordering one half by the curtain of the sea, and the other towards the royal gate, where the guard was very quietly enjoying their ease until the centinel gave the alarm, which was immediately followed by a volley. Thus surprised, they all took to their heels, and the English redoubling their pace, they overtook the stragglers, and not one of them escaped. A detachment filed off from the wall, and opened the royal gate for those British troops to enter, which approached in that direction. General Draper entered with his column, with two field-pieces in front, which, with the incessant fire of the musketry, completely cleared the Calle Real as they advanced. The same mode of attack was observed by the two columns, which enfiladed by the city walls, with this precaution, that in turning the corners of the streets, or public edifices, a temporary halt was made to observe if there were any of our troops at hand. The city continued in such a state of consternation, that the major part of the people thought of nothing but escaping, and as the gates were shut, they climbed over the wall by the side of the river, at a place which offered every facility, and by embarking in boats or swimming, they escaped to the other side. One of the English columns marching along the wall, when it arrived at this spot, saw a great many people passing over the river, or waiting to embark, and discharging a volley at them, made very great slaughter. General Draper advanced through the Calle Real as far as the palace with