Meanwhile the bombardment had made little impression on the fortifications, and it appeared to the admiral that time was being wasted.  Accordingly he gave orders to elevate the guns and fire over the walls into the interior of the fort.  A shell from one of the bomb ketches fell plump into one of the outhouses of the palace and set it on fire.  Fanned by the west wind, the flames spread to the arsenal and the storehouse, licking up the sheds and smaller buildings until they reached the outskirts of the city.  The crackling of flames was now mingled with the din of artillery, and as dusk drew on, the sky was lit up over a large space with the red glow of burning.  By half-past six the guns on the bastions had been silenced, and the admiral gave the signal to cease fire.

Some time before this a message reached Captain Smith ordering him to send Desmond at once on board the Kent.  When he stepped on deck he found Admiral Watson in consultation with Clive.  It appeared that during the afternoon a cloud of horsemen had been observed hovering on a hill eastward of the city, and being by no means sure of the loyalty of the Maratha allies, Clive had come to the conclusion that it was time to land his troops.  But it was important that the shore and the neck of land east of the fort should be reconnoitered before the landing was attempted.  The groves might, for all he knew, be occupied by the Pirate’s troops or by those of Ramaji Punt, and Clive had had enough experience of native treachery to be well on his guard.

“I am going to send you on a somewhat delicate mission, Mr. Burke,” he said.  “You know the ground.  I want you to go quickly on shore and see first of all whether there is safe landing for us, and then whether the ground between the town and the fort is occupied.  Be quick and secret; I need waste no words.  Mr. Watson has a boat’s crew ready.”

“I think, sir,” said Desmond, “that it will hardly be necessary, perhaps not advisable, to take a boat’s crew from this ship.  If I might have a couple of natives, there would be a good deal less risk in getting ashore.”

“Certainly.  But there is no time to spare; indeed, if you are not back in a couple of hours I shall land at once.  But I should like to know what we have to expect.  You had better get a couple of men from the nearest grab.”

“The Tremukji is only a few cable lengths away, sir, and there’s a man on board who knows the harbor.  I will take him, with your permission.”

“Very well.  Good luck go with you.”

Desmond saluted, and stepping into the boat which had rowed him to the Kent, he was quickly conveyed to the grab.  In a few minutes he left this in a skiff accompanied only by Fuzl Khan and a lascar.  Not till then did he explain what he required of them.  The Gujarati seemed overcome by the selection of himself for this mission.

“You are kind to me, sahib,” he said.  “I do not deserve it; but I will serve you to my life’s end.”