Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/432

421 could be induced to receive a reinforcement of two companies of Sepoys into the town. Having employed some days in refitting his carriages and stores, he proceeded to the fort of Chevelpetore, which, notwithstanding their late defeat, remained in the hands of the enemy; but they abandoned it on his appearance. Leaving a sufficient garrison to defend it in future, he proceeded across the Nadamundalum country to Cayetar, a town about 25 miles north of Tinivelly, where Maphuze-Cawn was waiting for him with his victorious but inactive army.

During this progress Mahomed Issoof had not been able to collect any money from the revenues, for the maintenance of his troops; because the ravages of the Polygars had ruined most of the villages and cultivated lands of the country through which he passed; and the real detriment of these devastations was increased by the pretences they furnished the land-holders to falsify their accounts, and plead exemptions for more than they had lost. He found Maphuze Cawn in greater distress than himself, unable either to fulfil the stipulations at which he had rented the country from colonel Heron or to supply the pay of the company's Sepoys left with him under the command of Jemaul Saheb, or even to furnish enough, exclusive of long arrears, for the daily subsistance of his own troops. This distress naturally deprived him of the necessary authority over the Jemmadars, or officers of his cavalry, who in Indostan, as the antient mercenary captains of Italy, hire out their hands, and gain not a, little by the bargain. Every kind of disorder likewise prevailed in all the other departments of his administration, at the same time that the indolence and irresolution of his own character confirmed all the evils which had been introduced into his government.

From Cayetar, Maphuze-Cawn and Mahomed Issoof moved with the whole army to the woods of Etiaporum, which lie about 30 miles to the East of Cayetar: Catabominaig and the Polygar of Etiaporum, were in the camp: the former had by his agents redeemed his hostages at Puducottah, but the other still delayed; and this motion was made to excite his fears, although no threats were used; he nevertheless still procrastinated, and his alliance was at this time