Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/289

Book IV. time the small convoys, which got into the city in spite of the enemy's patroles, balanced the daily consumption made out of the magazines; but as soon as the Mysorean divided his army into two camps, all supplies were cut off, and a party of Sepoys, which had been sent into Tondiman's country, were not able to get back. In this situation captain Dalton insisted on examining the magazines, when to his great surprize Kiroodin Khan informed him that he had taken advantage of the scarcity, to sell out the provisions to the inhabitants at a high price, not doubting but that opportunities of replacing them would offer, and acknowledged that the stock remaining was no more than sufficient for fifteen days: in which time the army at Trivadi could hardly receive the news, and march to the relief of the city. Expostulations were vain, for the mischief was real; an express was therefore sent with this alarming intelligence to major Lawrence, who received it at ten at night, the 20th of April, and instantly issued orders for the troops to be in readiness to march by day-break; when, leaving a garrison of 150 Europeans, and 500 Sepoys, at Trivadi, the rest proceeded to Fort St. David, in order to collect the necessary supplies of military stores.

The want of horse having hitherto been the principal obstacle to the progress of the Nabob's affairs, it was determined to apply again to the king of Tanjore, and in order to encourage, or if necessary to awe him into a compliance, it was resolved to proceed to Tritchinopoly, through his dominions. The army on the 22d of April passed by Chillambrum, and as soon as they crossed the Coleroon, the king deputed Succojee, his prime minister, to compliment the Nabob and major Lawrence; and when they were arrived at Condore, ten miles from the capital, he desired an interview, and met them half way at one of his gardens, where he appeared in great splendor, accompanied by 3000 horse, and 200 elephants in rich trappings. Seeming to be convinced that it was his own interest to support the Nabob, he gave orders to his horse to proceed with him to Tritchinopoly; but the next day, after marching a few miles, they left the army, promising, however, to return very soon. During this interval captain Dalton had not been inactive at Tritchinopoly.