t
possession of the redoubt in the angle of the rampart, and were plying
us well with their guns. Seeing this disposition on the part of the
enemy, Colonel Clive ordered some shot to be thrown among their
cumbrous artillery trains. This was done with such effect that,
numbers of the oxen being killed, the trains were thrown into
confusion. At the same time some of the Moorish horse made a few
ineffectual offers to charge, but were easily driven off, without ever
coming to close quarters.

Whatever cause had prompted the strange retreat of the enemy, it was
evident that the same cause was now operating to take all heart out of
their defence. The only thing that gave us pause was the attitude of
the Frenchmen in the redoubt, whose spirit communicated itself to the
troops in their immediate neighbourhood. While things were in this
doubtful posture, I happened to glance round to see what had become of
the cavalry division repulsed by Captain Grant. To my surprise I saw
them retiring slowly in an opposite direction to the Nabob's camp.

Instantly I grasped the situation.

"Colonel," I whispered hurriedly, "don't you see that that must be
Meer Jaffier's division!"

Mr. Clive turned and stared for a moment in the direction I pointed
in.

"You are right," he responded. "Meer Jaffier, of course! Well, since
he has put off his assistance so long, he shall see how little we
needed it!"

A thrill of fresh energy seemed to sweep through him as he began
issuing his orders for the final charge. Two columns were told off,
one to clear a small eminence to the right, the other to attack the
French in their redoubt, while the main body was directed to follow up
in a grand attack on the whole camp. By my special request I was
allowed to join the column marching against the Frenchmen. We made a
dash forward--once, twice, thrice the Frenchmen fired at us as we came
on, then we saw them drop their linstocks and run, and in another five
minutes it was all over. The entire English force was over the
ramparts together, the army which had marched out so gallantly against
us that morning was suddenly become a mere herd, a wretched mob of
fugitives crushing one another in their eagerness to escape from us,
and we picked our way amid the plunder of Surajah Dowlah's rich
pavilion, victors of Plassy, masters and law-givers of Indostan!

CHAPTER XX

_RETRIBUTION_

Although, judged by the standard of such great battles as the King o