Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/181

 and an opposite cliff there was a deep ravine, which rendered all access from one height to the other impracticable: but a sloping ground, by making a circuit in the rear of the Mahratta forces, afforded a practicability of bringing field-pieces to the summit of the cliff to bear on the English battery from the Mahratta side.

Mr. L. took an opportunity of addressing himself to General N., and pointed out to him the probability of silencing, or, at least, of annoying the English battery from the cliff in question; but the general treated his remark in a slighting manner, and, riding to another part of the field, took no farther notice of him. Mr. L. had seated himself on a hillock, still making his reflections, when an old Mahratta officer, who had heard the conversation between Mr. L. and the general of the arillery, and had partly understood what Mr. L. proposed should be done, approached him. "Well, sir," said he, "what do you think of our artillery?"—"If I were a flatterer," replied Mr. L., "I should say that it was well served; but, as I am not, you will pardon me if I think it bad." The officer went on—"You see the day is likely to go against us—what would you do if you had the command!"—"Oh! as for the command, I don't know," rejoined Mr. L., "but this one thing I do know, that, if I had but two pieces of cannon, I