dabad,
all the way communicating his own fears to the garrisons he passed.
When we entered the town of Calcutta, therefore, we saw the English
colours already flying again from the fort, Admiral Watson having sent
a party ashore to take possession.

I am sorry to say that some bad blood arose between the gallant
Admiral and Mr. Clive over this incident. In fact there had been
already several jealousies between the two services, the Admiral and
his officers affecting to regard the Company's forces as on an
inferior footing to themselves. This feeling was heightened by the
fact that Mr. Watson's rank in the navy was higher than that of
Colonel Clive in the army, which gave him the precedence, though
everybody knew that the real leader and director of the campaign was
the Colonel.

I was with Mr. Clive when he came up to the entrance to the fort, and
can still see the stern look on his face when the sentinel stationed
there by Captain Coote refused him admission.

"Do you know who I am, fellow?" he cried. "I bid you let me pass this
instant, or I will have you court-martialled as sure as my name is
Robert Clive!"

The sentinel drew back, and we passed in, but were immediately met in
the courtyard by Mr. Coote himself.

"What is the meaning of this performance, sir?" the Colonel asked him
sternly. "Are you aware that I hold his Majesty's commission as
lieutenant-colonel, and that you and all your men are therefore under
my commands?"

"I am very sorry sir," replied the other, beginning to blench a
little, "but I was put into possession of this place by Admiral
Watson, who has given me his commission as governor, and bid me hold
it on his behalf till the arrival of Mr. Drake."

"Then, Captain Coote," retorted Mr. Clive, turning pale, "I order you
to give up this fort to me, as your superior officer on land, failing
which I shall order you to be arrested."

The Captain gave way at this threat, but contrived to despatch a
message to Mr. Watson of what had occurred. The Admiral, whose spirit
was as high as Mr. Clive's, at once sent on shore to say that unless
Mr. Clive instantly quitted the fort, leaving Captain Coote in
possession, he should open fire on it from the _Kent_.

In the end, however, a compromise was effected, by virtue of which the
Admiral was to hold the fort for the remainder of that day, in
compliment to his services in having taken it, but at the end of that
period he was to deliver it up to Mr. C