G A N G E T I G H I N D O O S T A N. 337 



at approach of day, which was impatiently expeded. The Ridiculous 

 tranquillity of the night was fuddenly difturbed by loud accla- ^*'"^^'^= <'^' 

 mations of joy from the lliore, and news was brought that the 

 fort was taken. It feems that one Straban, a common failor, 

 animated by groc^, llrolled away towards the fort, fcaled the 

 breach, and found feveral of the garrifon fitting on the platform. 

 He gave three huzzas, and cried " the place is mine.'' The 

 Moors immediately attacked our hero, he defended himfelf till 

 his cutlafs broke in his hand ; at that very inftant he was joined 

 by two or three more ftraggling comrades who had heard his 

 triumphant fliouts. The noife reached the army, who without 

 order, or without any attention to difcipline, ruflied in pell- 

 mell; and thus a fort with eighteen cannons, from twenty- 

 four pounders downwards, and forty barrels of gunpowder, 

 w'as put in our polTefTion. 



It was neceflary to fhew difpleafure at this notorious breach 

 of all order. The vicftorious Strahan was brought before the 

 admiral in form of a culprit. Our commander afked how he 

 dared to commit fuch an a6lion ; the late hero flood fcratching 

 his head, and twirling his hat, and at length confelTed " to be 

 " fure it was I that took the fort, but I hope that there was no 

 " harm in it." The admiral with difficulty kept his counte- 

 nance ; but at laft, with much feeming anger, ordered him 

 away. As Strahan was going out of the cabin very fulky, he 

 muttered out, fwearing a great oath, " If I am flogged 

 <' for this, I will never take another fort by myfelf as long 

 *' as I live." It may be imagined he was readily pardoned, but 

 Vol. II. X X he 



