Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/286

278 them, gave it in a general volly, which did some execution; but before the troops could load again, the Morattoes charged them impetuously sword in hand, broke the rank, and every horseman singling out a particular man, cut them all to pieces. Inactivity or retreat in war is never in Indostan imputed to prudence or stratagem, and the side which ceases to gain successes is generally supposed to be on the brink of ruin. Such were the notions entertained of the army at Trivadi, and they were industriously propagated by Mr. Dupleix, in order to encourage his new ally Mortiz-ally to set up his standard in the province. The Phousdar with his usual caution first encamped without Velore, then advanced somewhat farther, and at last, assured by the Morattoes that they would cover his march, ventured to proceed to Pondicherry, where, on furnishing 50,000 pounds for the expences of the war, he was with great ceremony and public rejoicings proclaimed Nabob of the Carnatic.

But the satisfaction he might receive from this exaltation did not last long. It was proposed that he should begin by imitating the conduct of Chunda-saheb, and appear at the head of the army: this his nature abhorred. On settling the terms of his regency, so much assistance in money and troops was expected from him, and so little power or advantage offered in return, that he found the Nabobship held on such conditions, would be of less value than the independant possession of his government of Velore. At the same time suspecting what he himself would infallibly have done in a similar case, he was terrified with the notion that Mr. Dupleix would keep him a prisoner at Pondicherry, if he discovered his aversion to have any farther connexion with him; these sentiments did not escape the sagacity of Mr. Dupleix; but he had too much good sense, not to see that such a breach of faith would probably determine the enemies of Mahomed-ally to make their peace on any terms with that prince. He therefore consented to Mortiz-ally's return, who promising to make war in the country about Arcot, left Pondicherry in the end of March, convinced for the first time in his life, that he had met with a more cunning man than himself.

In the mean time, no military operations passed, excepting the