y, and alarmed.

"If I might be permitted to advise," Charlie said, "every available
man in the town should be set to work, at once, pulling down all the
buildings around the walls. It would be clearly impossible to defend
the place when the ramparts are, on all sides, commanded by the
musketry fire of surrounding buildings."

"I know what my duty is, sir," Captain Minchin said, "and do not
require to be taught it, by so very young an officer as yourself."

"Very well, sir," Charlie replied, calmly. "I have seen a great deal
of service, and have taken part in the defence of two besieged towns;
while you, I believe, have never seen a shot fired. However, as you're
in command you will, of course, take what steps you think fit; but I
warn you that, unless those buildings are destroyed, the fort cannot
resist an assault for twenty-four hours."

Then, bowing quietly, he retired; and returned to Mr. Haines' house.
That gentleman was absent, having gone to the governor's. He did not
come back until late in the evening. Charlie passed the time in
endeavouring to cheer up Mrs. Haines, and her daughter; assuring them
that, if the worst came to the worst, there could be no difficulty in
their getting on board ship.

Mrs. Haines was a woman of much common sense and presence of mind;
and, under the influence of Charlie's quiet chat, she speedily
recovered her tranquillity. Her daughter Ada, who was a very bright
and pretty girl, was even sooner at her ease, and they were laughing
and chatting brightly, when Mr. Haines arrived. He looked fagged and
dispirited.

"Drake is a fool," he said. "Just as, hitherto, he has scoffed at all
thought of danger, now he is prostrated at the news that danger is at
hand. He can decide on nothing. At one moment he talks of sending
messengers to Suraja Dowlah, to offer to pay any sum he may demand, in
order to induce him to retire; the next he talks of defending the fort
to the last. We can get him to give no orders, to decide on nothing,
and the other officials are equally impotent and imbecile."

On the 18th, the army of the nabob approached. Captain Minchin took
his guns and troops a considerable distance beyond the walls, and
opened fire upon the enemy. Charlie, enraged and disgusted at the
folly of conduct which could only lead to defeat, marched with them as
a simple volunteer.

The result was what he had anticipated. The enemy opened fire with an
immensely superior force of artillery.