Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/306

298 of frankness in his behaviour gave captain Dalton some suspicions, and two spies were set to watch his actions, who at different times discovered him measuring the calibre of the gun, taking a survey of the works, and fathoming the height of the wall with a lead and line, after which he threw notes through the windows to the French prisoners. There was in the garrison a French soldier whose fidelity to the English might be depended on; this man engaged to detect his countryman still more effectually, and suffered himself to be chastized in his sight by captain Dalton for some pretended neglect; after which he affected such a resentment for this treatment, that De Cattans gave him his entire confidence, offering him a great reward if he would assist in the execution of his plan. The soldier said he was not made for great enterprises, but offered to desert the first night he should be on guard at the barrier, and to carry a letter, provided De Cattans would assure him of pardon for having deserted from the French. This the other readily agreed to, and gave him a pardon in form signed with his name, to which he added the tittle "of plenipotentiary of the marquis Dupleix." At the same time he delivered to him a letter for Mr. Brenier, which contained a full and exact description of the defences of the place, and some commendations on his own address in deceiving the English commandant, whom he described as a very young man, that placed more confidence in him than any of his own officers. The soldier carried the letter to captain Dalton, who immediately caused De Cattans to be arrested; at first he denied the fact, but on seeing his own writing, desired that he might not suffer the disgrace of being hanged, but have the honour of being shot by a file of musketeers. He was told that his fate could not be decided before major Lawrence arrived; captain Dalton, however, desirous of drawing the enemy into a snare by the same means which they had employed against himself, promised the criminal to intercede for his pardon, provided he would write a letter to Mr. Brenier, and prevail upon him to attempt an escalade at such a part as he, captain Dalton, should dictate; this De Cattans readily agreed to; the place fixed upon was Dalton's battery, on the west side, not far from the northern angle, as being more accessible than any other from without; but the defences and retrenchments within