Clive, with several of his
officers, was in a caravansary close to the Small Pagoda.
Charlie's company were on guard, and after paying a visit to the
sentries, and seeing that all were on the alert, he returned to the
caravansary. The day had been a long one, and the march under the heat
of the sun very fatiguing. There was therefore but little
conversation, and Charlie, finding, on his return from visiting the
sentries, that his leader and the other officers had already wrapped
themselves in their cloaks and lain down to rest, imitated their
example.
Half an hour later, the French column arrived at Samieaveram. The
officer in command was a daring and determined man. Before reaching
the place, he had heard that the English had returned; and, finding
that he had been forestalled, he might well have returned to Law. He
determined, however, to attempt to surprise the camp. He placed his
deserters in front, and when the column, arriving near the Sepoy
sentinel, was challenged, the officer in command of the deserters, an
Irishman, stepped forward, and said that he had been sent by Major
Lawrence to the support of Captain Clive. As the other English-speaking
soldiers now came up, the sentry and native officer with him were
completely deceived, and the latter sent a soldier to guide the column
to the English quarter of the camp.
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