The next morning he was much recovered; and was able, in the cool of the evening, to take his place in a howdah, and to return to the camp before Gheriah.
A few days later the fleet made its appearance off the town, and the same evening Tulagi Angria rode up to Ramajee Punt's camp.

Charlie was present at the interview, at which Angria endeavoured to prevail on Ramajee Punt, and Charlie, to accept a large ransom for his fort; offering them each great presents, if they would do their utmost to prevail on Admiral Watson, and Colonel Clive, to agree to accept it.
Charlie said at once that he was sure it was useless, that the English had now made a great effort to put a stop to the ravages which he, and his father before him, had for so many years inflicted upon their commerce; and that he was sure that nothing, short of the total destruction of the fort and fleet, would satisfy them.

The meeting then broke up; and Charlie, supposing that Angria would return immediately, went back to his tent; where he directed Hossein at once to mingle with the men who had accompanied Angria, and to find out anything that he could concerning the state of things in the fort.
Hossein returned an hour later.
"Sahib," he said, "Ramajee Punt is thinking of cheating the English.
He is keeping Angria a prisoner.

He says that he came into his camp without asking for a safe conduct; and that, therefore, he shall detain him.
"But this is not all.

Angria has left his brother in command of the fort; and Ramajee, by threatening Angria with instant execution, has induced him to send an order to deliver the fort at once to him.
Ramajee wants, you see, Sahib, to get all the plunder of the fort for himself, and his Mahrattas." "This is very serious," Charlie said, "and I must let the admiral know, at once, what is taking place." When it became dark, Charlie, with Tim and Hossein, made his way through the Mahratta camp, down to the shore of the river.