Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/535

 Chap. VII.J

SALABUT JUNG AND BUSSY.

501

cannonade with great steadiness, they wheeled round before coming within ad. it.vj musket shot, and began to retreat with some aj)pearance of confusion. Major Lawrence was preparing to [)ursue when he ascertained that the retreat of the i^^fwitofa

btratagom.

French infantry was only a feint to cover an attack u[)on the convoy. The plan was, that while the British battalion were engaged with the imagined pur- suit, Hyder, at the head of the Mysore horse, should wheel round and fall upon the rear, where the baggage and provisions were deposited. Hyders impetu- osity and eagerness for plunder frustrated the stratagem. By making his attack prematurely, he succeeded in carrying off only thirty-five carts, laden partly with arms and ammunition, and partly with baggage belonging to the British officers. This loss was more than compensated by the result of the action. The French, besides sustaining a virtual defeat, had 100 of their battalion killed or woimded, while onl}' eight of the British fell. After proceeding to Trichinopoly without further inteiTuption, and lodging the stores of provision in its maga- zines. Major Lawrence made several attempts to bring the enemy to a general engagement. Instead of accepting his challenges they retired as he advanced, anrl finally quitted the plains on the south side of the Cauvery, to establish themselves once more in the island of Seringham. The commencement of the rains prevented further military operations ; and before a new campaign could be undertaken, a great change in French East India politics was effected. To various occurrences which preceded and contributed to this change, it is neces- sary now to attend.

CHAPTER YIL

Proceedings of Salabut Jung and Eussy — Great accession of territory to the French — Attempts at nego- tiation — Dupleix superseded returns to France — New arrangements — Arrival of a British fleet — Keturn of Clive — Destruction of pirates at Gheriah.

ALABUT JUNG, indebted for his appointment of Soubahdar of the Deccan to French influence, naturally clung to Bussy, through whom that influence had been exercised, and made him almost the absolute disposer of his fortunes. The French commander possessed talents which enabled him to take full advantage of his position, bui ioimd a strong party at Salabut Jung's court di.sposed to thwart him in all his proceedings. At the liead of this party was Seid Laskar Khan,

Lwho, though he hated Bussy in his heart, was such an adept in cunning that he not only persuaded him of his sincere friendship, but had been invested with the office of dewan by liis special recommendation. No sooner, however, was he firmly seated in this office than he threw off the mask and took open part wnth I

French iiiflucnco in the Ueccan.