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tion. They made skittle-grounds, and gave every encouragement 

 to the exercise, by joining in it themselves. The few remaining 

 horses of the cavalry were ordered out to accommodate such in- 

 valids as could be lifted up and keep their seal, by the assistance 

 of supporters. These humane exertions were frequently efficacious, 

 and reflect the highest honour on the officers; their conduct also 

 exhibits a striking proof of the infinite advantage which may be 

 derived from resolutely combating a disorder which inevitably 

 destroys those who give way to it; for while the most dreadful 

 mortality pervaded the native inhabitants and sepoys, only five out 

 of thirty-five Europeans fell a sacrifice. 



On the 4th of March, about four o'clock in the morning, the 

 cenlries were alarmed by the firing of musketry at Fortified 

 Island, and on the officers repairing immediately to the ramparts, 

 it became evident that fortress was attacked by the enemy; the 

 firing continued for some time, and then ceased. At sun-rise the 

 officers discovered by their glasses about twenty men sitting in 

 the veranda of a house on the summit of the hill; whom they con- 

 cluded to be the garrison, which amounted to that number, who 

 were supposed to have been seized and secured by the enemy. 

 Soon after the English colours were hoisted, either with the hope 

 of deceiving the garrison of Onore, or to decoy the vessels expected 

 with a supply of provisions. 



The treacherous veil was now withdrawn, and the capture of 

 Fortified Island no longer admitted a doubt in the minds of the 

 gentlemen at Onore that the fort would be attacked. The com- 

 manding officer therefore thinking it necessary to make these suspi- 

 cions publicly known, dispatched Mr. Cruso to Mirza with a re- 



