Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/251

Book VIII plain; amongst whom were about 50 of the English Sepoys. Fire was set to the dwelling of the kellidar, probably; because the women had barricaded their appartments; and an event is told concerning the fate of his principal wife, which, to save a disgrace to human nature, we shall not repeat. Thus fell Nizar Mahomed, a Victim to his good faith, although suspected of treachery, and with the utmost galantry, although scarcely believed to be brave. The presidency much regretted his fall, because owing in some measure to their own neglect, by which their other allies might be rendered diffident of their assistance in the hour of danger and distress.

Nazeabullah, on the approach of the detachment with Polier, broke up his camp before Cadawah, and retired to Nelore; where he stopped all the votaries passing from the northward through his territory to the feast at Tripetti, of which the income by this interception was considerably diminished; as soon as concluded, the detachment returned to Madras, where they arrived on the 25th of September, but in the way Polier sent off two companies of Sepoys to reinforce those already at Conjeveram. The fall of Chittapet alarmed the presidency for all their out garrisons; and precautions were taken in proportion to their importance. Carangoly standing 15 miles s. w. of Chinglapet, on the south side of the Paliar, and near the late acquisitions of the French, was garrisoned by 300 Sepoys; but as its walls were in a ruinous condition, they were ordered to retreat, on imminent danger, to Chinglapet, and to repair thither if Chinglapet were threatened before them. What districts were beyond Carangoly, and occupied only by slight parties of the enemy's troops, were consigned to the recovery and management of Murzafabeg, a partizan recommended by the Nabob, who was to account for nothing, and maintain them as he could, out of the revenues he might collect. Stores, ammunition, and some Europeans were sent to Arcot; and Timery, Covrepauk, Cavantandelum, and two or three other, but smaller forts, were ordered to act in respect to Arcot, as Carangoly to Chinglapett. But the French army, fearful of venturing too far from Pondicherry, and still more of crossing the