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thanked the rajah for his friendly communication; assuring him 

 that he had been authorised by captain Torriano, should such a 

 conversation take place, to inform him his sentiments on that 

 subject remained the same as expressed in his answer to the sul- 

 laun's first summons; nor would he surrender the fort while a 

 man adhered to his colours, unless by command of his superiors. 



A few days afterwards a havaldar from the sepoy guard posted 

 in the enemy's trenches reported to captain Torriano a rumour 

 that the fort was to be stormed on the 22d, about four o'clock in 

 the morning. This information was not to be entirely slighted, 

 especially as it was soon after confirmed by Jehan Caun's hal- 

 carra, who came with a similar message to that sent by the rajah of 

 Zeremullee, and received the same answer. The breach in the 

 fort, being cleared and scarped, with a thick and formidable abbatis 

 in its front, it was not supposed they would have the temerity to 

 attack it; especially as the native troops are not expert at general 

 assaults; but in the reduced state of the garrison every prudent 

 measure was to be adopted, and the commissary's men, with their 

 stores, were all ordered within the walls. 



By the fort adjutant's report, the whole number of Europeans, 

 sepoys, and recruits at this time in the garrison, including black 

 officers, and the sick and wounded in the hospital, amounted only 

 to two hundred and fifteen. Many desertions had lately taken 

 place among the native troops of every description; during the 

 preceding night, although a sepoy was shot in the attempt, five 

 others deserted before morning; one of them, a havaldar and 

 orderly to an English officer, carried off with him the gentleman's 

 sword, silver plates, and other articles. Every hour's experience 



