between the eyes, and he fell in a heap beneath the table.
Then Charlie grasped a decanter.

"Now," he said, "if either of you hounds move a finger, I'll brain
you."

The two officers stood paralysed. Charlie walked to the door, and
sprang up the cabin stairs; and, as he did so, heard shouts for
assistance from behind. He gained the deck, walked quietly to the
bulwark and, placing his hand upon it, sprang over the side into the
river. He swam to shore and, climbing up the bank, made his way along
it back to the fort, where he arrived without any misadventure.

A fury of indignation seized all in the fort, when the result of
Charlie's mission became known. With daybreak the attack recommenced;
but the garrison, all day, bravely repulsed every attempt of the enemy
to gain a footing. The fire from the houses was, however, so severe,
that by nightfall nearly half the garrison were killed or wounded.

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