feebly attacked, on the land side, by a
Mahratta force; which had been landed from the Mahratta fleet,
accompanying the English ships, a few miles down the coast. The fort
shortly surrendered; but while the Mahrattas were marching to take
possession, the governor, with some of his best men, took boat and
crossed over to the island; of which, although the fire had ceased
after the explosion of the magazine, the English had not taken
possession.

The fire from its guns again opened, and as Commodore James thought it
probable that the pirates would, in the night, endeavour to throw in
large reinforcements, he determined to carry it by storm. The ships
opened fire upon the walls; and, under cover of this, half the seamen
were landed. These ran up to the gate, and thundered at it with their
axes.

Charlie and his companions aided the movement, by again opening a
heavy fire of grape upon the guns which bore upon the sally port; and
when the gates were forced the garrison, utterly dispirited by the
crossfire to which they were subjected, at once laid down their arms.

Chapter 16: A Tiger Hunt.

Commodore James was greatly astonished at the easy success which he
had gained. The extraordinary cessation of fire from the sea face, and
the sound of artillery within the walls, had convinced him that a
mutiny among the garrison must have taken place; but upon entering the
fort he was surprised, indeed, at being received with a hearty English
cheer, from a little body of men on the summit of an interior work.
The gate of this was at once thrown open, and Charlie, followed by his
party, advanced towards the commodore.

"I am Captain Marryat, sir, of the Company's service in Madras; and
was captured three months ago by these pirates. When you attacked the
place, yesterday, I arranged to effect a small diversion; and with the
assistance of these five native officers, of my soldier servant, here,
and these ten men of the merchant service, we have, I hope, been able
to do so. The native officers disabled the greater portion of the
guns, during the night; and when you opened fire this morning we
seized this inner work, which is also the magazine, and opened fire
upon the rear of the sea defences. By dint of our guns, and of menaces
to blow up the place if they assaulted it, we kept them at bay until
their flag was hauled down."

"Then, sir," Commodore James said, warmly; "I have to thank you, most
heartily, for the assistance