Altogether, to my mind, things look as bad as they possibly can." A week later, on the 15th of June, a messenger arrived with the news that the nabob, with fifty thousand men, was advancing against the town; and that, in two days, he would appear before it.

All was confusion and alarm.

Charlie at once proceeded to the fort, and placed his services at the disposal of Captain Minchin.

He found that officer fussy, and alarmed.
"If I might be permitted to advise," Charlie said, "every available man in the town should be set to work, at once, pulling down all the buildings around the walls.

It would be clearly impossible to defend the place when the ramparts are, on all sides, commanded by the musketry fire of surrounding buildings." "I know what my duty is, sir," Captain Minchin said, "and do not require to be taught it, by so very young an officer as yourself." "Very well, sir," Charlie replied, calmly.