One morning, Desmond had just finished breakfast with Mr. Watts and his wife, when Lieutenant Elliott, in command of the garrison, came unceremoniously into the room.

“Mr. Watts,” he said, “the fat’s in the fire.  A lot of the Nawab’s Persian cavalry have come into the town during the night.  They have surrounded the French and Dutch factories and are coming on here.”

“Don’t be alarmed, my dear,” said the chief, as his wife started up in a state of panic; “’tis only one of the Nawab’s tricks.  He has used that means of extorting money before.  We’ll buy them off, never fear.”

But it was soon seen that the troops had come with a more serious purpose.  They completely invested the factory, and next day withdrew the guards that had been placed around the French and Dutch forts, and confined their whole attention to the British.  Mr. Watts withdrew all the garrison and officials behind the bastioned walls of the fort, and fearing that an attack in force would be made upon him, despatched a kasid {courier} to Calcutta with an urgent request for reinforcements.

While waiting anxiously for the reply, he took stock of his position.  His garrison numbered only fifty men all told, half of them being Dutch deserters and the remainder half-caste topasses, with only two English officers, Lieutenant Elliott and Sergeant Bowler.  The guns of the fort were old; and within a few yards of the walls were houses that would afford excellent cover to the enemy.  Without help resistance for any length of time was impossible, and to resist at all meant a declaration of war against the Nawab, and would entail serious consequences—­possibly involve the total ruin of the Company in Bengal.  In this difficult position Mr. Watts hoped that an opportunity of making an arrangement with the besiegers would offer itself.  Meanwhile, pending the arrival of instructions from Calcutta, he gave orders that any attempt to force an entrance to the fort was to be repelled.

But no letters came from Calcutta.  Though several were despatched, none of them reached Cossimbazar.  On June first Ridurlabh, in command of the besiegers, received orders from the Nawab, now at Murshidabad, to take the fort.  He came to the gate and tried to force an entrance, but hurriedly withdrew when he met Sergeant Bowler’s gleaming bayonet and saw the gunners standing by with lighted matches in their hands.

By and by he sent a messenger asking Mr. Watts to come out and parley. and offering a betel, the usual native pledge of safe conduct.  Against the advice of Lieutenant Elliott, Mr. Watts decided to leave the fort and visit the Nawab himself.  Next day, therefore, with Mr. Forth, the surgeon, and two servants, he departed, cheerfully declaring that he would make all right with Sirajuddaula.  Mr. Forth returned a day later with the news that on reaching the Nawab’s tent both he and Mr. Watts had had their arms bound behind their backs and been led as prisoners into Sirajuddaula’s presence.  The Nawab had demanded their signatures to a document binding the English at Calcutta to demolish their fortifications.  Mr. Watts explained that the signatures of two other members of his Council were required, hoping that the delay would allow time for help to reach him from Calcutta.  After some hesitation two gentlemen left the fort with the surgeon.