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.

Some native officers went in search of some building where the
prisoners could be confined, but every room in the fort had already
been taken possession of, by the nabob's soldiers and officers. At
eight o'clock, they returned with the news that they could find no
place vacant, and the officer in command at once ordered the prisoners
into a small room, used as a guardroom for insubordinate soldiers,
eighteen feet square.

In vain they protested that it was impossible the room could contain
them, in vain implored the officer to allow some of them to be
confined in an adjoining cell. The wretch was deaf to their
entreaties. He ordered his soldiers to charge the prisoners, and
these, with blows of the butt ends of the muskets, and prods of the
bayonets, were driven into the narrow cell.

Tim Kelly had kept close to his master, during the preceding days. The
whole of the four native officers, who had so distinguished themselves
under Charlie, were killed during the siege. Hossein, who would fain
have s