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 Chap. V.] FRENCH ATTEMPT TO SURPRISE ARCOT. 4G9

They next returned to Conjeveram, repaired the defences of the pagoda, garri- ad. 1752 soned it with 300 sepoys, and kept possession of the open country as far east as Ponamalee. The presidency, who had been employed in preparing a reinforce- ment for Tricliinopoly, determined to employ it, in the first instance, in expel- ling these dangerous and troublesome intruders. Clive, appointed to this task, marched from Madras in February, 17")-, with a detacinnent which, when augmented by a reinforcement from Arcot, consisted of 380 Europeans and 1300 sepoys, with six field-pieces. The enemy, though mustering -iOO Euro- Attempt

to siri)risc

peans, 2000 sepoys, and 2500 hoi"se, with a large train of aitillery, did not Arwt. venture to risk an encounter, and removed south to Vandaloor, where, as they strongly intrenched themselves, they seemed determined on a stand. On Olive's appi'oach it looked as if their courage had again failed them, for they had not only abandoned their camp, but dispei"sed as if some sudden terror had struck them. It soon appeared, however, that they were not obeying their feai"s, but following out a dee})-laid scheme. When again heard of they were united at Oonjeverani, and preparing to move west on Arcot. Aware that it had been almost entirel}' stripped of its gairison to furnish the above reinforcement, they had deter- mined to fall upon it suddenly, after they had tempted Olive so far away as to make it difficult for him to advance to its relief The stratagem nearly suc- ceeded, not merely in consequence of the feebleness of the garrison, but of treachery within it. Two native sepoy officers had been gained over, and were to have opened the gates. Fortunately the plot was discovered, and the enemy, finding that the signals agreed upon were not answered, went off as suddenly as the)' had appeared.

Notwithstanding intelligence of their departure, Olive continued his march Aflfair of westward, and at sunset had come within sight of Ooverypauk, when the van, advancing without suspicion, were fired upon from nine pieces of c<annon at the distance of only 250 yards. The whole enemy were here lying in ambascade, and the cannons were the French aitillery posted in a gi-ove, with a ditch and bank in front. Olive made his arrangements hastily, but with the greatest coolness. Ordering the infantry to take shelter in a water-course innnediately on the left, and the baggage to be moved back half a mile, under the guard of a platoon and one of the field-pieces, he sent a detachment, with two field-pieces, to oppose Rajah Sahib's cavalry, who were spreading out on the plain, and employed his other three remaining pieces to answer the fire fi-om the grove. The French infjintry advanced along the water-coui-se in a column of six men abreast, and were met by the English inf try in the same order. Neither ventured to come to the bayonet, and an indecisive fire of musketry was kept up for two houi-s by moonlight. The enemy's cavahy were also kept at bay, and failed in several attempts on the baggage. So far the fight was equal. It was otherwise with the artillery. Olive's three pieces were no match for the French nine, and so many of his gunnei-s were killed or di.sabled, that he saw no