Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/244

238 own troops, and those of his dependant of Etiaporum, On their arrival the garrison sallied, and in a slight skirmish obliged the enemy to raise the siege; after which, the two Polygars returned to their homes, and Catabominaigue from his, came and joined the English camp before Madura. Maphuze Khan continuing at Tinivelly, neither sent money or troops to the Jemautdars, but suffered the incomes to be dissipated, notwithstanding Berkatoolah had continually represented to him, that the scarcity of provisions in Madura was daily increasing from the want of money to pay for them, and of parties in the field to facilitate their importation. Berkatoolah was at the same time equally disappointed of the arrival of the Mysoreans, which had long been promised from day to day, and more lately with assurance that Hyderally himself was come to Dindigul to command them in person; but, on more diligent enquiry, it was discovered that Hyderally was still at Seringapatam, and that the troops at Dindigul did not exceed the usual garrison. Thus deserted, he resolved to treat with Calliaud, and proffered to deliver the city, if the English would pay the arrears due front Maphuze Khan to the troops within; but made no stipulation for those who had been their former comrades and were now either with Maphuze Khan, or any where else out of the town. The arrears he stated at 1,600,000 rupees, but, on account of sums levied in the country, offered to abate 400,000: these proposals were signed by himself and four of the principal Jemautdars. Calliaud, after treating them for some time with contempt, proposed his own; which were, to pay 100,000 rupees for the arrears of the troops, 20,000 as a present to Berkatoolah himself, 8000 to each of the four Jemautdars who had signed with him, and 2000 to each of the commanders of the three companies of Sepoys; in all 150,000. Many days and messages passed in chaffering concerning the money; during which the Polygars kept their watches so strictly in the country round, that no provisions could be carried in, and the inhabitants were reduced to rice alone, and that without salt; on which all, not occupied in military services, left the town, and were permitted to go away unmolested. At the same time the former battery was strengthened