One of Clive's Heroes: A Story of the Fight for IndiaStrang, Herbert
History
One of Clive's Heroes: A Story of the Fight for India
Strang, Herbert
Adventure stories; British -- India -- Juvenile fiction; India -- History -- 18th century -- Juvenile fiction
Desmond took the earliest opportunity of seeking the body of Fuzl Khan.
Fortunately the fires and the noises of the night had preserved it from
mangling by wild beasts. The poor man lay where he had fallen, near the
body of the overseer.
"Poor fellow!" thought Desmond, looking at the strong, fierce face and
the gigantic frame now stiff and cold. "Little he knew, when he said
he’d serve me to his life’s end, that the end was so near."
He had the body carried into the town, and reverently buried according
to Mohammedan rites. From the lascar he had learnt all that he ever
knew of the motives of the Gujarati’s action. Desmond had hardly left
the boat when the man sprang quickly after him, saying briefly: "I go to
guard the sahib." It was like the instinctive impulse of a faithful
dog; and Desmond often regretted the loss of the man who had shown
himself so capable of devotion.
That evening Clive summoned Desmond to attend him in the palace. When
he entered the durbar hall, he saw a small group seated on the dais,
consisting of Clive, Admiral Watson, and two or three subordinate
officers. Standing in front of them was Diggle, in the charge of two
marines.
"How many European prisoners have been released, Mr. Ward?" the Admiral
was saying.
"Thirteen, sir; ten English and three Dutch."
"Is that correct, Mr. Burke? Was that the number when you were here?"
"Yes, sir, that is correct."
"Then you may go, Mr. Ward, and see that the poor fellows are taken on
board the _Tyger_ and well looked after." As the officer saluted and
withdrew the Admiral turned to Clive.
"Now for this white pirate," he said: "a most unpleasant matter, truly."
Signing to the marines to bring forward their prisoner, he threw himself
back upon the divan, leaving the matter in Clive’s hands. Clive was
gazing hard at Diggle, who had lost the look of terror he had worn two
nights before, and stood before them in his usual attitude of careless
ease.
"You captured this man," said Clive, turning to Desmond, "within the
precincts of the fort?"
His hard level tone contrasted strongly with the urbaner manner of the
Admiral.
"Yes, sir," replied Desmond.
"He is the same man who inveigled you on board the interloper _Good
Intent_ and delivered you to the Pirate?"
"Yes, sir."
"And he was to your knowledge associated with the Pirate, and offered
you inducements to spy upon His Majesty’s forces in Bombay?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you anything to say for yourself, Mr. Peloti?"
"Pardon me, Mr. Clive; Diggle--Marmaduke Diggle."
"Diggle if you like," said Clive with a shrug. "You will hang as well
in that name as another."
One of the officers smiled at the grim jest, but there was no smile on
Clive’s stern, set face.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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