Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/95

Rh a demonstration. At the end of two days Sir Edward Hughes went on to take up at Porto Novo a position which was to support the attack of the land army on Kadalúr. Two days later the French frigates and transports which had been sent to convey stores to Kadalúr returned to Trincomali. The senior captain of the expedition brought with him a letter from Bussy, written early in June, painting his needs and imploring assistance.

Suffren was not the man to turn a deaf ear to an exhortation of that nature. It is true that he knew his fleet to be inferior in number, in condition, and in weight of metal to that of the enemy; but he felt that the interests of France would be better served by his provoking an unequal contest, the issue of which might however be favourable, than by allowing her last army to succumb without a blow. He therefore did not hesitate for a moment. He did not even consult any one; but summoning on board the flagship the captains of his fleet, he informed them in a few spirit-stirring words that the army at Kadalúr was lost unless the fleet went to succour it; and that the glory of saving it was reserved for them; and that, whatever might be the result, they would at least attempt it.

These words were received by the assembled captains with the greatest enthusiasm. Instantly every hand