Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/325

Book IV measures with the governor, Berkatoola, to favour their junction, by making a general sally, on a certain quarter of the enemy's camp; which the Sepoys promised to attack at the same time in the rear. This plan was executed with so much vigour, that notwithstanding the enemy took the alarm time enough to bring the greatest part of their troops into action, they were entirely defeated: the general of the Velore troops being killed on the spot, and Hussan-ally, the commander of the French Sepoys, taken prisoner mortally wounded. This loss of their commanders struck the army with so much consternation, that they immediately raised the siege.

In the same month the presidency were much alarmed by the attempts of Mahomed Comaul, the most considerable of the adventurers, who in these times of confusion set up the standard of independency. This man commanded a body of horse at the siege of Arcot; and after the army of Raja-saheb was dispersed by the battle of Covrepauk, kept together his own troops, and immediately levied contributions not only sufficient to attach them to his service, but also to engage others to inlist under his banner: however, alarmed by the fate of Chunda-saheb at Seringham, he judiciously determined to remove out of the reach of danger into the country of Neloor, the north-east part of the Nabob's dominions, not doubting that its distance both from Arcot and Madrass would enable him to establish himself in those districts: he succeeded even beyond his expectation, for he found means to surprize the capital of Neloor itself, from whence he obliged Nazeabulla, the governor, to flee to Arcot. The English and the Nabob had so many enemies to fight, and so few troops to send into the field, that they could spare none to check the enterprizes of Mahomed Comaul, who having enjoyed the fruits of his successes without interruption for a year, extended his views, and prepared to attack the pagoda of Tripetti. This temple, one of the most famous in the Decan, is situated on the top of a mountain, about fifty miles north-east of Arcot. The feast of the god to whom it is dedicated is annually celebrated in the month of September, and the offerings made by the concourse of pilgrims who arrive from all parts to assist at it, amount to so great a sum, that the Bramins, beside what they reserve to themselves, pay the government an annual