Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/437

Book V as desirous as his enemies to quit a connexion fraught with, so much jealousy and discontent. Accordingly he immediately removed, and encamped all his force at some distance from the army of Salabad-jing, giving out that he intended to proceed to Masulipatnam. At the same time he dispatched letters to the government of Pondicherry, requesting them to send to that place with the utmost expedition all the force which could be spared from the services of Coromandel. At the same time Salabad-jing, now entirely governed by Shanavaze Khan, likewise dispatched letters, which were followed by an agent, to the presidency of Madrass, requesting that they would immediately send a body of troops to assist in expelling the French out of his dominions.

The very day that the French troops quitted the army of Salabad-jing, Balagerow sent a deputation of his principal officers to Mr. Bussy, congratulating him on his separation from so perfidious and ungrateful a nation as the Moors: these were his expressions: and sollicited his alliance, proposing that the French troops should act as auxiliaries to the Morattoes, as they had to Salabad-jing; and proffering the same allowances to the troops, the same emoluments to Mr. Bussy himself, and as great advantages to the French company, as had been granted by that prince. Mr. Bussy declined to accept this offer, by the obvious excuse of his dependance on the orders of Pondicherry; and began his march. Nevertheless Balagerow, with a spirit of chivalry of which as little now remains in the eastern as in the western part of the world, detached a body of 6000 horse with orders to accompany Mr. Bussy until he should think himself out of the reach of pursuit or interruption from the Soubah's forces; and to leave nothing wanting to the consummation of this politeness, this cavalry was commanded by a general of the first distinction amongst the Morattoes for his riches, and of the highest reputation, next to Balagerow himself, for his military talents. His name was Malarjee Holcar.

The French troops were 600 Europeans in battalion, 5000 well disciplined Sepoys, a well-appointed train of field artillery, two troops of Hussars, one of dragoons, and one of grenadiers; in all 200 European riders. This force, with the Morattoe cavalry, were more than able to cope with the whole army of Salabad-jing. After eight days