the defences of
Ambur. The walls surrounding the town were repaired, and although
these, in themselves, could have offered but a slight defence to a
determined assault, the approaches to the town were all covered by the
guns of the fort above.

The weak point of the defence was the hill behind the town. This
sloped up, gradually, to a point higher than the level of the
projecting rock upon which the castle stood. It then rose, in rugged
cliffs, some two hundred feet higher; and then fell away again,
steeply, to its summit. This was too far back for the fire of guns
placed upon it to injure the castle or town. Guns placed, however, at
the foot of the rocky wall, would dominate the castle and render it,
at last, untenable.

Charlie had often looked, with an anxious eye, at this point; and one
morning, accompanied by the rajah, he rode up to examine the position.
The highest point of the slope, at the foot of the crag, was nearly
opposite the castle; and it was here that an active enemy, making his
way along the slope, would place his guns. Here, Charlie determined to
establish a battery.

News had arrived that the rajah's brother had raised a force of three
thousand men; and that, with seven thousand Mahrattas, he was about to
march. This force, Charlie felt certain that he could meet and defeat,
in the open. But more disquieting news was that Bussy, hearing that
the rajah's troops had been trained by an Englishman, had advised the
nizam to declare for his rival, and to send a considerable force to
his assistance, if necessary. Fresh messengers were sent off, with new
assurances of the rajah's loyalty to the nizam.

"It may not do much good," Charlie said, "but if we can induce him to
remain quiet, until we have defeated Murari Reo, it will be so much
gained."

Charlie himself despatched a messenger to Mr. Saunders, begging that
assistance might be sent to the rajah.

Having decided upon the position for a battery, energetic steps were
taken to form it. A space large enough for the construction of the
battery, and for the tents and stores of the artillerymen and two
hundred infantry, was marked out; and the rajah ordered the whole
population of Ambur, men, women, and children, to assist at the work.
The troops, too, were all employed; and under Charlie's
superintendence, a wondrous change was soon effected. The spot chosen
was levelled, a strong earthwork was erected round it, and then the
surrounding ground was