CLIVE AND THE GAMBLER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1523, 19 March 1886, Page 3

CLIVE AND THE GAMBLER.

Clive was present at the bombardment of Madras in 1746, and became, on parole, the prisoner of La Bournonnais, and was one of those, as we have said, who were made a public spectacle by Dupleix when he violated the terms of the capitulation. Disguised as a native he made hie escape from Pondicherry, and on reaching Fort St David became a gentleman volunteer, and in that humble capacity gave proofs of the indomitable courage that inspired him. He once formed one of a party at play, whom two officers, by ungentlemanly cheating contrived to fleece. The winners were undoubted duellists, bo the others paid their money in silent rage; but Clive refused to follow their example, and taxed the players wi;h knavery. He was challenged, went out and gave his fire, upon which his adversary, quittting his ground, put his pistol to Clive's head, desiring him to ask his life. Clive did so, but the bully now required that he should pay the sum he had lost, and retract what he had said. " A.ud if I refuse ?" demanded Clive. " Then I fire," replied the other. " Fire, and be hanged !" said Clive, coolly. " I still say you cheated ; nor will I ever pay you." The gamester, struck with the bold bearing of his antagonist, called him a madman, and threw away his pistol. We must not finish this anecdote, continues Mr Gleig, without recording Clive's conduct in the sequel, When complimented by his friends, he observed, "The man has given me my life, and I have no right in future to mention his behaviour at the card-table though I shall certainly not pay him, nor associate with him again."—From (Jamil's illustrated History of India.