Even Captain Clive, who is afeard of nothing, would be bothered by it." As they rode up the valley, two horsemen were seen spurring towards them, from the town.

They drew rein before Charlie; and one, bowing, said: "My master, the rajah, sends his greeting to you, and begs to know if you are the illustrious soldier, Nadir Ali, for whom his heart has been longing." "Will you tell your lord that Nadir Ali is here," Charlie said, "and that he longs to see the face of the rajah." One of the horsemen at once rode off, and the other took his place by the side of Charlie; and, having introduced himself as captain of the rajah's bodyguard, rode with him through the town.
Had Charlie appeared in his character as English officer, the rajah and all his troops would have turned out to do honor to his arrival.
As it was, a portion of the garrison, only, appeared at the gate and lined the walls.

Through these the little party passed, and up the sharp zigzags, which were so steep that, had it not been that his dignity prevented him from dismounting, Charlie would gladly have got off and proceeded on foot; for it was as much as the animal could do, to struggle up the steep incline.
At each turn there was a gateway, with little flanking towers; on which jingalls, or small wall pieces, commanded the road.
"Faith, then, it's no fool that built this place.

I shouldn't like to have to attack it, wid all the soldiers of the King's army, let alone those of the Company." "It is tremendously strong, Tim, but it is astonishing what brave men can do." In the after wars which England waged, in India, the truth of what Charlie said was over and over again proved.

Numerous fortresses, supposed by the natives to be absolutely impregnable, and far exceeding in strength that just described, have been carried by assault, by the dash and daring of English troops.
They gained, at last, the top of the rock.