Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/415

Book X. on which the whole line from one end to the other set up their huzza; but even on this warning the enemy did not look out with sufficient attention to be certified in which street the detachment was advancing, but drew up at the head of another, which ran parallel to it, about 100 yards on the left; in which they advanced 2 or 3 platoons about 50 yards lower down, at the opening of a cross-street which gave a straight communication between the two: the English troops marching on did not receive a shot until they came opposite to this advanced guard, which then fired, and with execution, for the distance was point blank: the first of the line returned the fire, but being the company of grenadiers halted no longer than this operation, and then proceeded; for Draper, knowing how near, and where the enemy's main body were drawn up, would not stop the line, but stationed two platoons from the succeeding companies to continue the fire, and prevent the enemy from breaking through the street. He at the same time ordered the two field-pieces to advance from the rear to the front, and the troops marching in whole files opened to the right and left to let them pass; but before they were brought up, the grenadiers and some more had pushed on to the head of the long street, in which they were marching. This was terminated by another much broader that crossed it, coming on the right from the esplanade of the fort to the east, and continued 100 yards on the other hand to the west of the long street, where the cross-street turned to the north and then again to the west. In that part of the cross-street to the left appeared the regiment of Lorrain, with four field-pieces, drawn up facing the south, opposite to the street in which they had posted their advanced guard, and were expecting the English troops; to whom in this position they presented their flank quite naked. Beyond them, in the continuation of the street, after it has turned to the north, the battalion of India, which comprised the troops belonging to the French company, were assembling. Not a moment was lost in taking the advantage; the grenadiers, and as many more as the breadth of the street, which was here 50 yards, would admit, faced and fired; but had scarcely time to give a second, before the two field-pieces came up. In that part of the cross-street where the English troops had faced, and in