Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/160

152 tillery, and killed most of the Europeans who served it. They then proceeded to petard one of the gates of the outer wall on the plain, and got possession of it a little before night, with the loss of only three or four men, and the troops with all the artillery and baggage entered the town; where they immediately fortified themselves by barricading the narrow streets with the baggage-waggons, and by distributing the cannon in the larger avenues. In this situation they were exposed to a continual fire from the three mountains: the Moors likewise threw great numbers of rockets, in hopes of setting fire to the combustible stores. The French bombarded the forts with mortars, and fired upon them with artillery until the moon set, which was the signal to storm the fortifications on the mountains. None but the Europeans were destined to this hardy enterprize, who attacked all the three mountains at the same time, and found on each redoubts above redoubts, which they carried successively sword in hand, until they came to the summits, where the fortifications were stronger than those they had surmounted; they nevertheless pushed on and petarded the gates, and by day -break were in possession of them all, having lost only twenty men in the different attacks. On contemplating the difficulties they had conquered, they were astonished at he rapidity of their own success, and the extreme pusillanimity of the defenders; and indeed, had the attack been made in day-light, it could not have succeeded; for the Moors, as well as Indians, often defend themselves very obstinately behind strong walls; but it should seem that no advantages, either of number or situation, can countervail the terror with which they are struck when attacked in the night.

The great reputation of the strength of Gingee naturally exalted the fame of the French prowess; and the loss of this important fortress awakened Nazir-jiug, and made him at last recollect that it was time to oppose the progress of an enemy who seemed capable of the boldest enterprizes. On his arrival at Arcot, he had sent back to Gol-condah two of his generals, with the greatest part of the troops in his own pay, and had likewise permitted many of the Rajahs and Indian chiefs to return home with their troops. He now recalled all these forces; but hoping that the news of these preparations, with offers of moderate advantages, would induce the French to lay down their arms, he determined