een, who bore a strong resemblance to his cousin the Nabob, a
resemblance, as I was afterwards to learn, not confined to mere looks.
He sat apart, staring at me with a sullen air of dislike, while his
father perused the treaty.

Its terms appeared to give Meer Jaffier perfect satisfaction. As soon
as he had read it, he asked--

"How soon will Colonel Clive be ready to take the field?"

"He is ready now," I answered. "All he is waiting for is information
from you as to the steps which you propose to take to support him."

Meer Jaffier looked a little uneasy.

"You are my friend, I know," he said. "You must speak good words on my
behalf to Sabat Jung. Everything depends on him. Let him strike the
first blow, and he will find every one prepared to join him."

I shook my head.

"I am your friend, it is true," I responded, "but I am still more the
friend of Sabat Jung, and I must know the grounds on which he is to
proceed. What force have you ready to bring to his assistance?"

"Do you mean what is the number of my division?"

"I mean the number on whom you can rely."

"Three thousand horsemen."

He glanced at me in some doubt as he spoke. I heard this number with
dismay.

"Only three thousand! What succour is that?"

"But those are only my own men. There are several commanders who have
been affronted by Surajah Dowlah, and are ready to turn their swords
against him at the first opportunity. On the day of battle these will
come over to us with their troops."

"What assurance have you of that?" I asked.

"I know my countrymen. They judge a man by his deeds, and there is
nothing that commands their respect like daring and success. Already
they fear the Colonel; let them see him boldly attacking the Nabob,
with me by his side, and they will quickly join us. Tell Sabat Jung my
words."

"And when do you intend to join the Colonel?" I inquired, beginning to
fear that Meer Jaffier was likely to prove a broken reed to lean upon.

"I will join him as soon as the English troops come in sight of the
city. Or if the Nabob keeps his army at Plassy, then I will join you
as soon as the signal for battle is given. I will march over to you
with a great part of the army, as many as I can persuade to join me,
and the others will then take to flight. If I see an opportunity I
will seize my nephew in his tent."

With these promises he beguiled me into some confidence in him. Then
placing a copy of the Alcoran upon his head