with a message for the Colonel.

"I will take your message, sergeant," I said, not wishing him to know
of Mr. Clive's slumber.

"Faith, then, sir, it's just this," said the fellow, who was an
Irishman, "that the enemy's beat, and runnin' away entirely, and Major
Kilpathrick's just after starting to take the tank from those
murderin' Frenchies, so as to annoy the Nabob's retreat."

I turned red at this insolent message, which did not even request
Colonel Clive's permission for the movement. Dismissing the sergeant,
I darted in and woke up my commander.

The Colonel was broad awake in an instant. When he heard what had
happened he compressed his lips, without making any remark, and ran
out of the lodge, and across the ground to where Kilpatrick was
leading his company towards the tank.

"Halt!" shouted Colonel Clive, as he approached.

The Major stopped, and looked confused.

"I thought, sir, as every moment was precious----" he began, when Mr.
Clive sharply cut him short.

"I will receive your apologies this evening, sir. At present my orders
to you are to return and order up the whole force to support this
movement which you have so rashly begun."

He waited till the discomfited officer had retired, and then turning
to me, he added with a touch of glee--

"Now, Ford, you and I will take the tank!"

The word was given to double, and we advanced at a run, whereupon the
Frenchmen, after one discharge, evacuated their position, and retired
upon the camp.

The rest of the English force now marched out from the grove, and
advanced in line, pursuing the retreating enemy. But there was one
part of the Nabob's army which did not join in the movement of the
rest. A large division of cavalry, one of those which had formed the
threatening left wing, drew off from the rest and advanced towards our
right rear.

Colonel Clive watched their movements with suspicion.

"Are these fellows trying to take our baggage?" he murmured. "Captain
Grant, take three platoons and a field-piece, and see if you can fight
off those horse."

The order as given was obeyed, the slight demonstration proved
sufficient, and the mysterious division drew away again out of range.
In the meantime our main body advanced steadily, and kept up a brisk
fire on the Nabob's camp with our artillery. On this some of the
retiring troops showed a disposition to come out again and renew the
attack, encouraged by the example of the Frenchmen, who had go