Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/354

 the capital of his government. The day of his departure was fixed for the 11th of May; and Salabadjing, having no suspicion that he had any other intentions, went two days before to pay his devotions at the tomb of his father Nizamalmuluck, which stands somewhere about 20 miles from Aurengabad.

In the morning of Nizamally's departure, he held a public durbar to receive the compliments of taking leave from the principal officers of the government: amongst them went Hyder Jung, whom he received with marked distinction: and, when he dismissed the assembly, beckoned him, with several of his own officers, to follow to an inward tent, where they again sat down, and discoursed a while with much seeming confidence on public affairs, until Nizamally rose suddenly, as if urged by some sudden necessity; but made a motion with his hand to Hyder Jung not to move, signifying that he should return immediately, and in the instant disappeared behind a curtain which opened to other apartments. Hyder Jung, notwithstanding the injunction, was rising to make his obeisance; when two officers, who were sitting one on each hand of him, pressed him down by the shoulders, and a domestic, who stood ready behind, plunged a dagger into his heart: the struggle was heard, but it was some time before the attendants of Hyder Jung were apprised of his death; for no servants are admitted within the centries who guard the tent of audience, and the greatest part of the retinue remain at a still greater distance, in the place where their master has alighted. Letters all of the same tenor to Salabadjing, Balajerow, Bassaulet Jung, and even to Mr. Bussy, had been prepared previous to the assassination, describing it as the unfortunate consequence of high words and affront, which had risen between Hyder Jung and some officers in the durbar, after Nizamally had retired: the letter to Mr. Bussy brought the first intelligence which he received of the event, and was interpreted to him by Zulfacar Khan, the very brother of Hyder Jung. The general was immediately beaten, and in a few minutes the whole French army were in battle array, with Mr. Bussy at their head, mounted on his elephant, uncertain what to expect, and surmising a combination against himself of all the powers by which he was