Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/481

 Chap. IV. ] SUCCESS OF NAZIR JUNG. -^+7

were bound up -with Nazir Jung's establishment as soubalidar; and a contin- a. p. it jo. gent of GOO Europeans, furnished by the Company and commanded by Major Lawrence. The presidency, having satisfied themselves that the man who could muster an army of 300,000 men must be the real soubalidar, had got rid of all their doubts and scruples on the subje-t of his title, and resolved mag- nanimously to share his fortunes. At the same time it was thought jn-udent to feel his pulse, and Major Lawrence, together with Captain Dal ton, and a mem- ber of council who accompanied them, were c< mmissioned to act as a trio, and treat with Nazir Jung on the interests of the Company. He received them with politeness, paid them oriental compliments, and was liberal in his promises.

The French endeavoured to keep up the spirits of their allies, and along with Xazir Jmig

• 11 1 • 1 1 x" "NT • intimidates

them took up an excellent position, from which all the mighty host oi Jazn- an.i ohtnins Jung would have been unable to dislodge them. Tl)e only part of the force sj.'.^.'^^Vmju- really formidable was the detachment under Major Lawrence. M. d'Auteuil ^iitferjung. endeavoured to bribe it into inactivity by sending a messenger to acquaint the major that, though their troops were arrayed on opposite sides, it was his wish that no European blood should be spilled. He therefore asked to know in what part of Nazu- Jung's army the English took post, in order that none of his shot might come that way. Major Lawrence, estimating this communication at its true worth, replied that the English colours were carried on the flag-gun of their artillery, and that, though he too was anxious to spare European blood, he would certainly return any shot that might be sent him. M. d'Auteuil, in pro- posing a kind of neutrality between the French and English, had not given the true reason. His men were in mutiny, and no fewer than thirteen of his officers had thrown up their commissions in presence of the enem}^ This unworthy proceeding was adopted to avenge themselves on the governor, with whom they had had a bitter quarrel before leaving Pondicheny. The cause need not be inquired into, but the effect was important. M. d'Auteuil, con- vinced that his men would not fight, ordered them to quit the field and march home without delay. Muzzutt'or Jung, who had previously begun to despair of his cause, and been attempting to come to an accommodation with his uncle, thought that not a moment was to be lost ; and on receiving a solemn assurance that he would neither be imprisoned nor deprived of the government which he had held during his gi'andfathers lifetime, passed over to the enemy. The pledge given him was violated without scruple. He was immediately thrown into fettei-s, and his troops, attacked and dispersed, were almost cut to pieces. Chunda Sahib behaved with more spirit, and fared better. Accompanying the French at the head of his cavalry, he repeatedly charged the Mahratta.^ who, led by Morari Row, hung upon their flank and rear, and well nigh succeeded in cutting oflf their retreat.

The an-ival of the troops in AVTetched plight threw Pondicheny into conster- Dupieix hiu. nation. Dipleix, though he pretended to make light of it, .saw the full extent ^"^c^