[With Clive in India by G. A. Henty]@TWC D-Link book
With Clive in India

CHAPTER 9: The Battle Of Kavaripak
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The main body of his infantry he ordered into the watercourse, which afforded them a shelter from the enemy's artillery.

The baggage carts and baggage he sent half a mile to the rear, under the protection of forty Sepoys and a gun.
While this was being done the enemy's fire was continuing, but his infantry advanced but slowly, and had not reached a point abreast of the grove when the British force in the watercourse met them.

It would not seem to be a very important matter, at what point in the watercourse the infantry of the two opposing parties came into collision, but matters apparently trifling in themselves often decide the fate of battles; and, in fact, had the French artillery retained their fire until their infantry were abreast of the grove, the battle of Kavaripak would have been won by them, and the British power in Southern India would have been destroyed.
Clive moved confidently and resolutely among his men, keeping up their courage by cheerful words, and he was well seconded by his officers.
"Now, lads," Charlie Marryat cried to the company of which he was in command, "stick to it.

You ought to be very thankful to the French, for saving you the trouble of having to march another twelve miles before giving you an opportunity of thrashing them." The men laughed, and redoubled their fire on the French infantry, who were facing them in the watercourse at a distance of eighty yards.
Neither party liked to charge.

The French commander knew that he had only to hold his position to win the day.


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