with 800 Sepoys, and another 100 to serve
the artillery. These were reinforced by 600 men from the ships, armed
with matchlocks, who were put ashore secretly at midnight. Our guns
were six-pounders, and as we had no horses, except one which had come
with the expedition from Madras, the cannon had to be drawn by seamen.

Old Muzzy was among the party, and was given charge of one of the
guns, of which there were six altogether. I went up to speak to him
before he set out, and found him much discontented with the service.

"It's this way, my lad," he said, addressing me with a freedom which I
could not resent, considering what he had done for me in the past, "I
understand sailing on salt water, and I understand fighting, but when
they puts me in charge of this here craft on wheels, with neither
spars nor yet oars to work it, and tells me to navigate it, I ain't
exactly sure of my soundings. It seems to me that there ought to be a
windlass to draw her up. Bust my stays if I can make out how I'm to
make her answer her helm!"

With these grumblings he entertained me till the signal was given to
start, when I repaired to the side of Mr. Clive, who took his station
in the centre of the column. We marched three abreast, four hundred of
the Sepoys going in front, then the European troops, then the second
half of the Sepoys, and last of all the guns escorted by the sailors.
Mr. Clive's plan, so far as he permitted it to be known, was to strike
right through the Nabob's army, before they were prepared to receive
us, and attack the Nabob himself in Omichund's enclosure.

It was just before daybreak when the head of our little column came
upon the advance guard of the enemy. These at once fled, after
discharging their pieces, but one of their shots, striking a Sepoy's
cartouch box, caused a slight explosion, which threw our advance into
some confusion for a moment. We pressed forward, picking our way as
we best could in the obscurity; for no sooner was it day than a thick
fog, such as is common in this season of the year in Bengal, descended
upon us, wrapping everything in darkness. We had gone perhaps half a
mile without molestation, dispersing the scattered parties of the
Indians as we advanced, when there broke upon our ears the sound of
heavy galloping from the quarter where we supposed Omichund's house to
lie. Colonel Clive at once ordered a halt; we faced to the right,
whence the sound proceeded, and as soon as the dim forms