Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/341

Book V. created no little perplexity in the councils of the Soubah, and more in the mind of his minister, who even deliberated with himself, whether he should not take refuge in the impregnable fortress of Doltabad, about eight miles from Aurengabad; he however judged better, and tried negotiation, making many excuses and apologies, proffering to surrender the seals of his office, and requesting that Mr. Bussy would confer them upon some other person. Mr. Bussy penetrated the artifice of this seeming humility, which was practised by the Duan, only because he knew that Mr. Bussy would not risque the obloquy and reproach of having moved him from his office, as the preparatory means of obtaining the ambitious demands, of his own nation from Sallabadjing. Both therefore were equally willing to treat, and an able agent, in whom both had equal confidence, soon adjusted the terms of reconciliation. The ceremonials of the first interviews, both with Seid Laskar Khan and Sallabadjing, were dictated by Mr. Bussy, and agreed to by them.

Every thing being settled, the French army advanced on the 23d of November from the ground where they had halted several days, waiting for the conclusion of the terms of reconciliation. About eight miles from Aurengabad, they were met by Seid Lasker Khan, accompanied by twenty-one other lords of distinction, all riding in the same line on their elephants, attended by their respective guards and retinues, and surrounded by a great number of spectators. When near, the elephant of Seid Laskar Khan bowed first; on which all the other lords dismounted likewise, as did Mr. Bussy, who embraced first Seid Laskar Khan, and then the other lords. All then mounted again, and proceeded in military order towards the Soubah, who waited for them, accompanied by a great number of troops, in a tent, pitched at some distance from this interview. He embraced Mr. Bussy at the entrance of the tent, and was saluted by the French artillery. When seated within, Mr. Bussy made his offerings, which consisted of several elephants, some horses, and jewels; all his officers likewise presented gold rupees. After which Sallabadjing arose and came out of the tent, holding Mr. Bussy by the hand, who assisted him to mount his elephant, and then mounted his own, as did all the lords.