A space large enough for the construction of the battery, and for the tents and stores of the artillerymen and two hundred infantry, was marked out; and the rajah ordered the whole population of Ambur, men, women, and children, to assist at the work.
The troops, too, were all employed; and under Charlie's superintendence, a wondrous change was soon effected.

The spot chosen was levelled, a strong earthwork was erected round it, and then the surrounding ground was removed.

This was a work of immense labour, the ground consisting first of a layer of soil, then of debris which had fallen from the face of the rock above, stones and boulders, to the depth of some fifteen feet, under which was the solid earth.
The slope resembled an anthill.

The soldiers and able-bodied men broke up the boulders and rock with sledgehammers; or, when necessary, with powder, and blasted the rock, when needed.

The women and children carried away the fragments in baskets.