Of course I could do with less; but to place the fort in a perfect state of defence, that is the number that I and my artillery officer think are requisite.
"Of powder, we have not more than a ton and a half, and if the siege were to be a long one we might require ten times as much.

We have not more than eight rounds of shot for each gun, and we ought to have at least fifty for the heavy pieces, and twenty for those defending the path up the hill." Dick made a note of the figures, in a pocket book he had bought for the purpose.
"As for provisions," the governor went on, "we ought to have large stores of rice and grain.

The magazines are nearly empty, and as we have eight hundred men in garrison, and perhaps twice as many women and children, we should require a large store were we blockaded for any time." "Are the troops in good condition ?" Surajah asked.
The governor shook his head.
"Many of them are past the term of service; but until I get reinforcements to supply their places, I shall not venture to discharge them.

Many others are wasted by fever, and, I must say, from insufficient rations, which not only weakens their bodies, but lowers their spirits.

As long as there was no fear of attack, this mattered little; but if the English are coming again, we shall want well-fed and contented men to oppose them.
"I see, by the stars on your turbans, that you are both colonels as well as officers of the Palace.