Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/360

352 confined under a guard of Sepoys, for a deficiency in some money which had been intrusted to him; but Peramrauze promising to be responsible for him, Mahomed Issoof, after much solicitation, released him: as soon as he came out of his confinement, his master sent him to Poniapah, who told him, that so much time had been lost by his journey to Tanjore, and his confinement after his return, that the regent, who had heard nothing of the business since they went to Seringham together, must imagine they had trifled with him; it was necessary therefore, he said, that the Bramin should go to the regent without delay. The Bramin consenting, Poniapah gave him instructions how to conduct himself; in consequence of which he advised the regent to write to Mr. Palk at Tanjore, desiring him to get permission for Poniapah to come again to Seringham: he added, that if the regent could in the mean time contrive to prevent the English from receiving provisions, they must inevitably retire; that as the Neloor Subahdar was the only person who knew how to conduct their convoys, it was necessary to get him killed, which might easily be effected, since he often went abroad with small parties; but as a surer method to remove him, the regent ought to write a letter addressed to him, pretending that he had promised to betray the city. The regent wrote the letter without hesitation, and delivered it to the Bramin, who returning from Seringham, was taken up with the letter concealed in his cloaths, by some of the English troopers: they carried him a prisoner to the camp, but without discovering the letter; he was extricated out of this difficulty by Poniapah, who being ordered to examine him, reported that he had been to visit some relations at Elimiserum. As soon as he was released, he went to his master Peramrauze, and gave him some hints of the business he had been doing at Seringham. The next day he laid the letter on the steps by the river side, and as soon as he saw one of the Colleries take it up, went and gave information to captain Kilpatrick's servant. Mahomed Issoof, on hearing this account, went to Peramrauze, and asked him, what he knew of the affair. The man threw himself at his feet, and implored his mercy; but Mahomed Issoof immediately secured him, and returning to the camp, related to major Lawrence