Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/352

346 could not partake of his hospitality, being obliged by the necessity of his affairs, to make him a prisoner, and take possession of the fort; but that no violence was intended against his person, provided neither he nor his garrison attempted any resistance. The Killidar, as if surprized, surrendered his poignard; he was then conducted into the area, and signified his condition and the risque to his soldiers, who in deference to his danger gave up their arms. On the signal, the French troops below got under arms; by which time messengers sent by the killidar came down and informed the garrison there of what had happened above; and such was the military reputation of the French troops drawn up before them, that the few whose indignation exhorted their comrades to revenge their lord and defend themselves, found fewer to second their resistance. Nevertheless, some, skirmishing ensued, but subsided on the death of two or three of these leaders; immediately after which, the garrisons were turned out of both the forts; and the defences of the town below were too weak to require heed.

No reconciliation, and every mischief, was to be expected from Shanavaze Khan after this provocation, and Mr. Bussy had taken measures to prevent the effects of his revenge: a party of Salabad jing's troops surrounded his tent in the camp in the very hour that the governor of Doltabad was arrested; and as the connexion between him and Mahomed Hussein the king's duan had lately grown into strict intimacy, another detachment at the same time secured his person likewise; they were both made prisoners before they knew why, or the loss of Doltabad. The news excited universal astonishment, and terrified those in whom it raised the most resentment: for Nizamally recovering from his first emotions, pretended that the possession of Doltabad was a matter in which his interests were not concerned.

Balagerow was halting about 50 miles from the city, towards his own country, and immediately returned and encamped again near the army of Salabadjing; not with any intentions of hostility, but with the hopes of obtaining the fort of Doltabad from Mr. Bussy; with whom, after several complimentary messages, he had an interview: