Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/77

Book VI. had often threatened to put him to death, prevailed over all other considerations, and, panick-struck, he hurried into the other boat without giving warning to the garrison: the military commanding officer, and several others who saw him embark, followed his example, and accompanied him to the ship.

The astonishment of those who remained in the fort was not greater than their indignation at this desertion; and nothing was heard for some time but execrations against the fugitives. However, the concourse soon proceeded to deliberation, when Mr.Pearkes, the eldest member of the council in the fort, resigned his right of command to Mr. Holwell. The whole number of militia and military now remaining amounted only to 190 men: and two or three boats being returned to the wharf, the new governor, in order to prevent any more desertions, locked the western gate leading to the river.

The ship which had been stationed at the northern redoubt, still remained there; and the garrison, having determined to defend themselves vigorously until they could repair on board of her, an officer was dispatched in a boat with orders to the captain to bring her down immediately to the fort. But the reliance upon this resource was of short duration; for the ship coming down, struck on a sand-bank, and was immediately abandoned by the crew. In the mean time the fort was warmly attacked, and bravely defended until the enemy ceased firing at noon: neither did they renew their efforts with much vigour during the rest of the day, or the succeeding night; but employed themselves in setting fire to all the adjacent houses, excepting those which commanded the ramparts. In this interval the garrison continually threw out signals, flags by day and fires by night, calling the vessels at Govindpore to return to the fort: but this their last expectation of relief was likewise disappointed, for not a single vessel came to their assistance.

The next morning the enemy recommenced their attacks with greater numbers than ever; and whilst some of the garrison were exposing themselves with much resolution, others were entreating Mr. Holwell to capitulate; who, to calm the minds of such as