With Clive in India; Or, The Beginnings of an EmpireHenty, G. A. (George Alfred)
History
With Clive in India; Or, The Beginnings of an Empire
Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)
India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947 -- Fiction
All day the signals to the fleet were kept flying, but not a ship
moved. All night, an anxious watch was kept, in hopes that, at the
last moment, some returning feeling of shame might induce the
recreants to send up the boats of the ships. But the night passed
without a movement on the river, and in the morning the fleet were
seen, still lying at anchor.
The enemy recommenced the attack, even more vigorously than before.
The men fell fast and, to Charlie's great grief, his friend Mr. Haines
was shot by a bullet, as he was standing next to him. Charlie
anxiously knelt beside him.
"It is all over with me," he murmured. "Poor little Ada. Do all you
can for her, Marryat. God knows what fate is in store for her."
"I will protect her with my life, sir," Charlie said earnestly.
Mr. Haines pressed his hand feebly, in token of gratitude; and, two or
three minutes later, breathed his last.
By midday, the loss had been so heavy that the men would no longer
stand to their guns. Many of the European soldiers broke open the
spirit stores, and soon drank to intoxication.
After a consultation with his officers, Mr. Holwell agreed that
further resistance was hopeless. The flag of truce was therefore
hoisted, and one of the officers at once started for the nabob's camp,
with instructions to make the best terms he could for the garrison.
When the gates were opened the enemy, seizing the opportunity, rushed
in in great numbers; and as resistance was impossible, the garrison
laid down their arms.
Charlie at once hurried to the spot where Ada, and the only other
European lady who had not escaped, were anxiously awaiting news. Both
were exhausted with weeping.
"Where is papa, Captain Marryat?" Ada asked.
Charlie knew that the poor girl would need all her strength, for what
she might have to undergo; and at once resolved that, for the present
at least, it would be better that she should be in ignorance of the
fate of her father. He therefore said that, for the present, Mr.
Haines was unable to come, and had asked him to look after her.
It was not until five o'clock that the nabob entered the fort. He was
furious at hearing that only five lacs of rupees had been found in the
treasury, as he had expected to become possessed of a vastly larger
sum. Kissendas, the first cause of the present calamities, was brought
before him; but the capricious tyrant, contrary to expectation,
received him courteously, and told him he might return to Dacca. The
whole of the Eurasians, or half castes, and natives found in the fort
were also allowed to return to their homes.
Mr. Holwell was then sent for, and after the nabob had expressed his
resentment at the small amount found in the treasury, he was
dismissed, the nabob assuring him of his protection. Mr. Holwell
returned to his English companions, who, one hundred and forty-six in
number, including the two ladies, were drawn up under the veranda in
front of the prison. The nabob then returned to his camp.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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