I was aghast at this intelligence, hardly believing it possible that
the courage of Colonel Clive should have failed him, though I was
better able than most to estimate the worries and cares thrust upon
his shoulders by the mingled folly and malice of those who should have
given him their best support.

"Where is the Colonel?" I exclaimed. "I must see him at once! I have
news that may induce him to change his mind. At all events, I'll take
the liberty to persuade him."

"He wandered off by himself," Major Coote answered, brisking up a
little. "He went into that grove of trees across there, as soon as the
council was dismissed, and he has been there ever since."

I turned and looked at the grove. As I did so I saw some bushes
parted, and the figure of my beloved chief emerged, walking with a
swift, firm tread.

Instantly I flung myself from my horse, and rushed towards him. But he
advanced of his own accord to where Major Coote stood watching us.

"I have altered my mind," he said briefly, with the martial ring in
his voice that I had heard first on the morning of Monichund's
attempted surprise before Budge-Budge. "I have come round to your
opinion, Coote. To-morrow morning we march forward, and engage the
enemy wherever we find him."

CHAPTER XIX

_PLASSY_

And now it befalls to me to relate what I saw of that famous day which
changed the relations between the English and Moors throughout the
whole empire of Indostan. And I think that never before nor since was
such a singular engagement fought, and so little really done to effect
so tremendous a result.

After I had communicated to Colonel Clive what had passed between Meer
Jaffier and myself at our secret interview, he believed less than ever
in the Meer's promises of assistance.

"I do not think the man means to betray me, but like all the Bengalese
he is a coward, and dares not carry out his promises when the moment
comes."

Such was his judgment, in which I was obliged to agree; though I
confess I had a liking for Meer Jaffier, and felt much pity for him in
his subsequent misfortunes.

It was one o'clock, an hour after midnight, when our little army of
three thousand men arrived and took up their quarters in the grove of
Plassy. Of these, two thousand were Sepoys, the remainder being
European troops, with some sailors from the fleet and about one
hundred Topasses: we had also eight field-pieces and two howitzers.
The grove in which we enca