Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/121

Book VI. conducted him back to the city: where, on entering the gate, he was saluted by the discharge of all the cannon on the ramparts, which were only 13 pieces. The negotiation was renewed on the same terms as before; and it was agreed to wait until the, guarantee of the presidency for the terms required by Maphuze Cawn and Berkatoolah, should arrive from Madrass. But three days after this preliminary was settled, Nabey Cawn Catteck, with his horse, came from Chevelpetore, and immediately on his arrival offered to furnish 40,000 rupees for the present subsistence of the cavalry of the Jemautdars, if they would relinquish all treaty with the English, and send Mr. Rumbold away. On the bustle occasioned by this proposal, Mr. Rumbold went to Maphuze Cawn, who wept, and in his anguish broke his seal, that he might not be obliged to affix it any more to acts he did not approve. From Maphuze Cawn's he went to Berkatoolah's, where he assembled and harangued the Jemautdars, who, after various discussions, consented that the articles to which they had before acceded, should be immediately drawn up in both languages and executed by all parties: it was now night, and to do this required some hours; for every Jemautdar was to sign. This while was employed with much assiduity by Nabey Cawn Catteck, who now offered to supply 3500 rupees a day, which, being fully sufficient for the maintenance of the whole body of cavalry, prevailed; and Mr. Rumbold was advised~to take care of himself, as all the roads would soon be stopped. He accordingly went out of the city the next morning, as if he had something to regulate concerning his escort of Sepoys; with whom he set off at midnight, and reached the fort of Nattam without interruption, when, being out of danger, he proceeded more leisurely to Tritchinopoly, where he arrived on the 15th of December. Thus ended the third unsuccessful attempt to get possession of Madura by negotiation, in all of which the contumelious conduct of the Jemautdars was not the effect of sudden exigencies, but the result of a plan formed by Berkatoolah to lead them to such extremities of affront, as should preclude all hopes of reconciliation with the English. That such was their situation he easily convinced them,