A few days after the return of the expedition against Covelong and Chengalpatt, Charlie received a note from Governor Saunders, requesting him to call upon him at eleven o'clock.

Charlie, of course, attended at Government House at the time named, and found Captain Clive with Mr.Saunders.
"I have sent for you, Mr.Marryat, to ask you if you are ready to undertake a delicate, and somewhat dangerous, mission.

Captain Clive tells me that he is convinced that you will be able to discharge the duties satisfactorily.

He has been giving me the highest report of your conduct and courage, and he tells me that you speak the language with some facility." "I have been working hard, sir," Charlie said, "and have had a moonshee for the last year; and as, except when on duty, I have spoken nothing but the native language with him, I can now speak it almost as fluently as I can English." "So Captain Clive has been telling me," Mr.Saunders said; "and it is, indeed, on that ground that I select you for the service.

Your friend Mr.Peters has equally distinguished himself in the field, Captain Clive tells me, but he is greatly your inferior in his knowledge of the vernacular." This was indeed the case.