Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/212

204 the efforts of captain Clive in the Arcot province; and in the beginning of December, 500 under the command of Innis-Khan, a brave and active officer, came to Tritchinopoly. The day after their arrival, they went boldly to reconnoitre the plain, where none of the Nabob's dispirited cavalry had ever ventured to shew themselves, and finding a small detached camp of about 200 horse, which had lain four months unmolested near the French rock, they rode into it sword in hand, and brought off every thing they found with the greatest composure, shewing no fear at the swarms of Chunda-saheb's cavalry, who mounted and marched towards them from their principal camp.

After this exploit, the Morattoes went out several days successively to reconnoitre; and Innis-Khan having observed that the French dragoons were much more alert than any of Chunda-saheb's cavalry, mounting and advancing on every alarm, he formed the design of drawing them into an ambuscade; and having communicated his plan to captain Gingen, a party of Europeans, with two field pieces, were detached before day, who entering a large and deep water-course, which runs across the plain to the south of the city, concealed themselves in it, within 400 yards of the French rock, and at the same time Innis-Khan, with 300 horsemen, marched out from his encampment on the west side of the town. The surface of the plain round Tritchinopoly is very uneven, and full of hollow ways. The Morattoe taking a large circuit, placed his men in a hollow, where, when dismounted, they could not be perceived either from the French rock or that in the city. Every thing remained quiet in both camps until noon, when 40 Morattoes, mounted on the best horses, set out from the camp, and keeping out of cannonshot of the French rock, proceeded to the eastward of it, and then galloped sword in hand directly to the enemy's camp, where they made no small hurry and confusion, either cutting down or driving all the foragers they met, quite up to the tents. This provoking the French, 60 dragoons sallied, and were followed slowly by 400 of Chunda-saheb's cavalry, The Morattoes retreated leisurely before them, halting as they halted, but always keeping at the distance of musket-shot from them: and in this manner they led the enemy as far