Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/123

Book VI. flot unfrequent in Indostan, and in this case atrocious. The agent, with all his retinue of Colleries, immediately ran away from the camp; and their injury determined the Pulitaver, perhaps for the first time in his life, to act with some good faith toward those with whom he was connected. But knowing the irresolution of Maphuze Cawn, he, with his usual cunning, was afraid of trusting him in Madura exposed to the overtures and negotiations of the English, and insisted that he should come from thence to Nelletangaville, and remain at all times under his own ward. In consequence, Berkatoolah, who was with the Pulitaver, sent for Maphuze Cawn, who, in the end of December, went from the city with 500 horse. Thus closed the year in the countries of Madura and Tinivelly.

Between Tanjore and Tondiman the quarrel had continued, notwithstanding the retreat of the Tanjorine army in the preceding year: but the letters of the presidency of Madrass, and the subtle delays of Monacjee, again prevented the renewal of hostilities until the end of June, when the forces of Tanjore were required to revenge another quarrel. The Danish settlement at Tranquebar had requested an enlargement of their bounds, which the king refused, and the Danes soon after, on the pretence of some outrages from his officers, attacked two pagodas in the neighbourhood. One they took, and whilst they were employed before the other, were attacked themselves at a disadvantage by a large detachment of horse and foot from Tanjore, who killed 40 of them, and wounded 100; on which the rest retreated to Tranquebar: a negotiation ensued, which, by the interposition of the presidency of Madrass, was concluded in the middle of August. In September began the great and long feast of the king and his gods, which consumed the month. In October, the approach of the rains gave Monacjee a pretence to keep the army in quarters; and after they set in, it was impossible to move until they were over. The king then insisted, and Monacjee proceeded against Killanelly Cottah, of which Tondiman had taken possession in consequence of the surreptitious cession made to him the year before by Monacjee, who had clandestinely affixed the king's seal to the grant. It stands 40 miles S. by w. of Tanjore, and was stronger than any place which