le in the building. The
gate gave way after a few shots had been fired, and Charlie led his
party to the assault.

The French defended themselves bravely, but they were outnumbered and
were driven, fighting, from room to room, until the survivors laid
down their arms. The assault, however, had cost the British a loss of
twenty-five men.

The Rajah of Permacoil's treasure, and his women, fell into the hands
of the captors. Charlie ordered the chests to be brought down, and
placed in bullock waggons. Just as he was about to order his men, who
were scattered through the temple looting, to form up, he heard a
shout from the tower; and, looking up, saw one of his men there
gesticulating wildly. He ran up the tower, and on reaching the first
terrace saw, to his surprise, the whole of the force which he believed
to be fifteen miles distant, already entering the town.

The French officer in command, knowing the activity and dash of his
opponent, and fearing that an attempt might be made to carry Trinavody
and recapture the rajah's treasure, had marched all night. When within
a mile of the place, he heard what had happened, and at once pushed
forward.

Charlie saw that, already, his retreat was cut off; and, running to
the edge of the terrace, shouted to Peters to hurry out with all the
men already in the courtyard, to occupy the houses outside the gate,
and to keep back the advancing enemy. Summoning another party to the
tower, four guns upon the terrace were at once loaded, and these
opened upon the head of the enemy's column, as they entered the street
leading to the temple.

In a short time, a brisk fight began. The enemy planted guns to bear
upon the tower. The cannon of the fort joined in the assault, the
infantry pressed forward through the houses and inclosures to the
temple, and were soon engaged with the men under Captain Peters, while
the guns and musketry from the tower also opened upon them.

Having seen that the preparations to repulse an immediate attack were
complete, Charlie again ran down to the courtyard. The weak point of
the defences was the gateway. This was fifty feet wide, and unprovided
with gates; and Charlie at once set a strong party to work, to form a
barricade across it.

For some hours, the party outside the gates maintained their position,
but they were gradually driven back; and towards evening, by Charlie's
orders, they retired within the temple. The barricade was now eight
feet high.