442 JlISTOr.V OF INDIA. [Book III.
A.D. 1749. guised as natives, and succeeded in reaching Foii St. David. Here, shortly after his arrival, he became involved in a transaction which gave him more notoriety than fame. Two officers, who had won money at cards, were strongly suspected of having played unfairly, but most of the losers were terrified into payment. Clive, who was one of them, was not to be so bullied, and distinctly declared that he would not pay, simply because the money was not fairly won. The ofiicer whom he thus accused challenged him. The parties met, it is said, without seconds. Clive having fired and missed ; his antagoni.st came up, and holding the pistol to his head, told him to ask his life. He did so, and was then told that he must also retract his charge of unfair play. He refused, and when the pistol was again placed at his head exclaimed, " Fire,
and be . I said you cheated ; I say so still, and I will never pay yoa"
The oflEicer, in astonishment, threw away his pistol, saying that Clive was mad. cuve obtains It is probable that at Fort St. David Clive resumed his occupation as a
commission writcr, but it was only as a temporary expedient. He had found his true voca^- tion, and in 1747 obtained an ensign's commission. The hopes already enter- tained of him appear from the letter of the court of directors of this year to the presidency of Madras. After alluding to the capture by Labourdonnais, they say, " Be sure to encourage Ensign Clive in his martial pursuits, according to his merit: any improvement he shall make therein shall be duly regarded by us." His first recorded service after he obtained his commission was at the mismanaged siege of Pondicherry, where he attracted much notice by activity and gallantry. Strange to say, rumour at this very time charged him with an act of cowardice. While posted at a battery the ammunition failed, and he ran oflf to bring it, instead of sending a sergeant or corporal. An officer maliciously insinuated that it was not zeal but fear that had made him run. Clive, the moment he was made aware of the insinuation, called upon the ofiicer to disavow it, and on receiving only an unsatisfactory explanation chal- lenged him. While they were on the way to the place of meeting, some irritating words passed, and he was struck by his opponent. Their swords were instantly drawn, but some persons present interfered and prevented them from fighting. Their conduct was made the subject of a court of inquiry, and as the falsehood and malignity of the insinuation were easily proved, the author of it was ordered to ask Clive's pardon in front of the battalion to which they both belonged. Here the matter ought to have rested, but as no notice had been taken of the blow, Clive insisted that satisfaction was still due. On its being refused, he waved his cane over the head of his antagonist and branded him as a coward. It would seem that he really was so ; for he submitted to the disgrace, and next day resig-ned his commission
Hispredo- The details now given bring down the narrative of Clive's life to the date
qiuuties. of the sccoud Tanjore campaign, in which he has been seen volunteering to lead the assault on Devicotta, and making a hairbreadth escape with his life during
