In ten minutes after the fire began, a
shell fell into one of Angria's large ships, and set her on fire. The
flames soon spread to the others, fastened together on either side of
her, and in less than an hour this fleet, which had for fifty years
been the terror of the Malabar coast, was utterly destroyed.
In the meantime the fleet kept up their fire, with the greatest
vigour, upon the enemy's works; and, before nightfall, the enemy's
fire was completely silenced. No white flag, however, was hung up, and
the admiral had little doubt that it was intended to surrender the
place to the Mahrattas.
As soon, therefore, as it became quite dark, Colonel Clive landed with
the troops, and took up a position between the Mahrattas and the fort;
where, to his great disappointment and disgust, Ramajee Punt found him
in the morning. The admiral again summoned the fort, declaring that he
would renew the attack, and give no quarter, unless it was surrendered
immediately. The governor sent back to beg the admiral to cease from
hostilities until next day, as he was only waiting for orders from
Angria to surrender. Angria declared that he had already sent the
orders.
At four in the afternoon, therefore, the bombardment was renewed; and
in less than half an hour, a white flag appeared above the wall.
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