Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/336

330 march was 20 miles, and more fatiguing than the former, having two rivers to pass, over which the artillery and carriages were transported with much difficulty; but the enemy, instead of taking the advantage, discontinued the pursuit before they arrived at the first: during the whole march the troops had no other food than the cocoa-nuts they gathered on the way, of which many got none; however, they found at Trivalore some provisions sent from Karical; but all were so exhausted and fatigued, that they could not proceed any farther until they had been allowed three days refreshment and repose. On the road Mr. Lally received information that the French squadron was at Pondicherry, and that Mr. D'Aché had signified to the council there his determination to return without delay to the Isle of France; on which he immediately dispatched the Count D'Estaigne with the strongest remonstrances to stop him. On the 18th the army arrived at Karical, and saw the English squadron at anchor off the mouth of the river.

Many wants and insufficient means had detained the squadron near eight weeks in the road of Madrass after their unsuccessful endeavours to reach Fort St. David during the siege. On the third of July, three of the company's ships arrived in the road; they had left England in the preceding year, but not arriving in the bay, until the northern monsoon was setting in, proceeded to Bengal; from whence they were dispatched in April with money, merchandize, and stores, but without any of the recruits they brought from England, or any troops in return for those which had been sent with Clive. The southern monsoon, which had begun when they sailed, obliged them to make the outward passage towards Achin, and they came in from the southward to Negapatam: in consequence of the intelligence they received at this place, they put out again to sea and kept out of sight of land until they stood in for Madrass. Chance always maintains its share in all events. Had not the unnecessary anxiety of the council at Pondicherry recalled Mr. D'Aché's squadron from Karical in the middle of June, but permitted him to have continued the cruize he intended, these ships would have been taken, and would have supplied the want of money, which had been the principal cause of the