Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/439

Book V bridge, but not of arches, 300 yards in length over the river. The garrison at this time was but slender, for most of the established troops of the government had marched with Salabad-jing. The French troops encamped about a mile to the westward of the city, and their appearance terrified the inhabitants; but on receiving assurances from Mr. Bussy that no violence was intended, if his army were not treated as enemies, quiet was restored, and the common intercourses of peace were carried on between the camp and the city: the bankers moreover lent Mr. Bussy money on his own credit, with which he discharged the pay due to the Sepoys; and they instead of being satisfied with this equity, demanded an advance for the time coming, which not being given, whole companies of them together deserted. Some bullocks which had been sent to bring grain from a village about 15 miles from the city, were attacked and taken by the troops of the district, joined by a few straggling Morattoes, who had crossed the Kristna just before it rose: on which Mr. Bussy sent an agent named Romi Khan, whom he usually employed in such messages, to the governor of the city, requesting he would either restore the bullocks that had been taken, or make restitution of an equal number. The governor, by name Ibrahim-ally, was nephew to Jaffer-ally Khan, and married to one of his daugthers; and partaking of his uncle's animosity to Mr. Bussy, treated the message with indignation, and the messenger with contempt, who retorted with insolence; this produced abuse, which Romi Khan revenged on the spot, by stabbing Ibrahim-ally to the heart with his poignard, and was himself immediately cut down by the attendants. But even this event did not excite any aversion to the French in the inhabitants of the city; for the people of Indostan are generally so much oppressed, that if they do not rejoice, at least they rarely regret the loss of any of their rulers; unless amongst some of the Indian states, in which religion and antiquity hath annexed veneration to the descendants of their ancient princes.

Although no diligence had been omitted, the French army were not ready to proceed from Hyderabad before the Morattoe cavalry of Salabad-jing's army came up: they were 12,000 under several chiefs independant of Balagerow, who held fiefs under the Mogul government in the Decan, on condition of military service. This cavalry appeared