nder of the French, in the pagoda, was disturbed by the news
brought in by the three men from the gate, and despatched eight of his
most intelligent men to ascertain exactly what was going on.

These, however, fell into the hands of the English; and the officer of
the party, not knowing that the Small Pagoda was in the hands of the
French, handed them over to a sergeant, and told him to take a party
and escort his eight prisoners, and the three Captain Clive had
captured, to that pagoda for confinement there.

Upon arrival at the gate the Frenchmen at once joined their comrades,
and these latter were also so bewildered at the affair, that they
allowed the English sergeant and his guard to march off again,
unmolested.

By this time, owing to the absence of all resistance elsewhere, Clive
had learnt that the whole of the party who had entered the camp were
in the Lesser Pagoda; and, as he was still expecting, momentarily, to
be attacked by Law's main army, he determined to rid himself of this
enemy in his midst. The pagoda was very strong, and only two men could
enter abreast. Clive led his men to the attack, but so well did the
French defend themselves that, after losing an officer and fifteen
men, Clive determined to wait till morning.

The French officer, knowing that he was surrounded, and beyond the
reach of all assistance, resolved upon cutting a way through, and at
daylight his men sallied out from the temple. So fierce, however, was
the fire with which the English received him, that twelve of his men
were instantly killed, and the rest ran back into the temple.

Clive, hoping that their commander would now surrender without further
effusion of blood, advanced to the gateway and entered the porch to
offer terms. He was himself so faint, from the loss of blood from his
wounds, that he could not stand alone, but leaned against a wall,
supported by two sergeants. The officer commanding the deserters came
out to parley, but, after heaping abuse upon Clive, levelled his
musket and discharged it at him. He missed Clive, but killed the two
sergeants who were supporting him.

The French officer in command, indignant at this conduct, rushed
forward at once to disavow it; and stated that he had determined to
defend the post to the last, solely for the sake of the deserters, but
that the conduct of their officer had released him from that
obligation, and he now therefore surrendered at once.

The instant day broke, an