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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OP 
happened that the mine, pushed on too rashly and too high, let in the day¬ 
light. But while the English took advantage of their opponents' mistake, 
and with musketry and grenades drove them back into their burrow ; they 
succeeded in covering up their own opening, and taking a fresh start, 
without the false move being detected. And while the Erench exploded a 
mine, with little effect, on the verge of the salient north-east angle; the 
English finished leisurely their underground chambers, much to their own 
satisfaction; and lodged therein several hundred pounds of powder, for the 
warm and hospitable reception of the strangers, when they should make 
bold to cross the threshold of their honey-combed and tottering outworks. 
But an attack, along the shore, on the sea-gate, was now most immediately 
feared. They therefore, while repairing, as well as they could, but most 
inadequately, the injuries on the north-west face of the fort, reconstructed 
in haste the fascine battery, bricked up the sea-gate, opening a small wicket 
(as it were) on its side, threw out additional defences into the surf, and in 
more than one vigorous and obstinate sally overturned into the sea, or 
dragged into the covered way, the gabions which the Erench were accumu¬ 
lating at the stockade; repulsing, and firing smartly and effectively on the 
working parties, and holding the post against reinforcements, until the work 
of demolition was well-nigh accomplished. A daring attempt by a Erench 
serjeant, with the promise of a commission if successful, to enter the works 
along the seaside was defeated, and the gallant serjeant mortally wounded 
in the affray. 
So the terrible work went on. The English fleet still held aloof. Most 
of the houses in the town were in ruins, and “ opened to the heavens." Much 
of the bastions was actually demolished; and shot began to penetrate the 
merlons and gabions, and hit the defenders behind their faithless covering. 
Pigot had arranged a smart attack on the Black Town, to be carried out by 
Preston. But Preston could not carry it otit; could not even get into the 
fort to confer upon it. Calliaud was retarded in the south, and a general 
assault was now deemed imminent. Well had Tally done his part, in spite 
of all difficulties. And well had his soldiers, at least, served him. But well 
too had the besieged fulfilled their task. No thought was among them— 
I do not say of yielding—but of ultimate failure. Hardly a murmur was 
heard, now that the timid, fidgety Nabob, and his troublesome followers, 
were out of the way. Cheering news too of Eorde's victory had been 
received, and celebrated with the fire of the whole garrison, directed towards 
the Erench quarters. And they still hoped that the fleet would, ere long, 
turn their anxiety into triumph. 
Tally held a council of war upon the advisability of storming forthwith, 
and himself declared in favour of that measure; but the officers pronounced 
against him. The breach was said to be practicable, but so much exposed 
to the enemy's fire as to be inaccessible. It was added spontaneously, that, 
no good could come of prosecuting the attempt longer. Whichever opinion 
were correct, who does not pity and sympathize with poor Tally in this 
bitter moment ? So near the crowning point of success, after such diffi¬ 
culties, so perseveringly overcome, after such exertions, so impossible to be 
renewed; to be warned off, by his own subordinates, from the desire of his 
eyes, the goal of his hard running ! The end was indeed near. But not such 
an end as he had anticipated when he plunged head-long into the Anglo- 
