Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/267

Book IV. who commanded a company of Topasses in the Nabob's service, and had often the guard over the French prisoners in the city. This man, trading a good deal, went frequently into the camp of the Mysoreans, which gave the regent an opportunity of making application to him in person. He assured Poverio that he had, besides the Mysoreans in garrison, a strong party in the city, and offered great rewards if he would join them on the first commotion. The Neapolitan gave him cause to believe he was to be wrought upon, but said he must first sound the disposition of his officers; and on his return he made a faithful report to captain Dalton of what had passed. He was ordered to return to the camp the next morning with instructions how to proceed, and conducted himself so dexterously, that a few conferences intirely gained him the confidence of the regent. Having settled the plan of operations, he brought to captain Dalton the agreement signed by the regent and himself, sealed with the great seal of Mysore: it was specified, that captain Poverio should receive 20,000 rupees for himself, and 3,000 more to buy firelocks, in order to arm the French prisoners, who were to be let out the first time his company took the guard over them; he was at the same time to seize on the western gate of the city, near which the Mysoreans were encamped, and to hoist a red flag, on which signal the whole army were to move, and enter the town.

On the day fixed for the execution of this enterprize, all the cannon that could be brought to bear on the Mysore camp were well manned, and above 700 musketeers, Europeans and Sepoys, were concealed in the traverses and works near the western gateway, with a great number of hand grenades; the rest of the garrison was under arms, and the Mysoreans would certainly have suffered severely; but the fears of the Nabob's brother-in-law put a stop to the enterprize. He was apprehensive that the attempt might succeed, and to avoid the risque, sent a messenger to upbraid the regent, and to acquaint him that the garrison were prepared to receive him. The regent thinking himself no longer safe under the cannon of the city, decamped and fixed his head quarters three miles to the westward, at the Pagodas of Wariore, which were garrisoned by