The attempt would, of course, be a dangerous one.

The French force was considerably stronger than the English, and were the latter divided into two portions, entirely cut off from each other, the central point between them being occupied by the French, the latter would have an opportunity of throwing his whole force upon one after the other.
This danger would have been so great that, had the French been commanded by an able and active officer, the attempt would never have been made.

Law, however, had shown amply that he had neither energy nor intelligence, and Major Lawrence therefore accepted Clive's proposal.
But to be successful, it was necessary that both portions of the English force should be well commanded.

Major Lawrence felt confident in his own capacity to withstand Law upon the southern bank, and in case of necessity he could fall back under the guns of Trichinopoli.
He felt sure that he could, with equal certainty, confide the command of the other party to Captain Clive.

There was, however, the difficulty that he was the junior captain present; and that already great jealousy had been excited, among his seniors, by the rank which he occupied in the councils of Lawrence.
Fortunately, the difficulty was settled by the native allies.