Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/423

Book X. a fortified pagoda, ten miles to the north of Elavanasore. On the 6th, he was joined by 200 horse, 1500 Colleries, and 250 Peons, sent by the Polygar Tondiraan, and the day after attacked the pagoda, in which were three companies of Sepoys, who defended it with much activity until eight at night, when they offered to surrender provided they were permitted to march away with their arms and effects; and having already killed 15 and wounded 55 of Mahomed Issoofs troops, he accepted their terms; and then following the track of Kistnarow marched to the eastward, spreading his army to ravage the country, all of which, as far as the sea, paid revenue to the French. On the 15th they appeared at Villenore, within sight of Pondicherry, and brought so much terror, that the inhabitants of the adjacent villages took shelter in crowds within the bound hedge. On the 18th they cut the mound of the great tank at Valdoor, and let out the water to destroy the cultivations it was reserved to fertilize. The sword was little used, but fire every where, and the cattle were driven away to Tricaloor. Mr. Lally on hearing of these devastations, sent word to Mr. Pigot that he would retaliate, by putting men, women, and children to the sword in the territory about Madrass; he however forbore to execute the threat. On the 21st Mahomed Issoof was joined by 300 horse from Tanjore, not furnished by the king, but hired there with his permission, by Mahomed Issoofs agents; on the same day Kistnarow returned with all his troops to Thiagar. The next, Mahomed Issoof began his march from Villaporum to the northward, still continuing his ravages. Rajahsaheb, with a considerablebody of horse, had been for some time at Conjeveram, waiting to protect those districts from his excursions, and on his approach crossed the Paliar, and advanced to Salavauck, as seemingly with intention to give him battle; but on better intelligence of his force, took shelter under the guns of Vandiwash. Lambert was also on the other side of the Paliar with 400 Sepoys, 25 Europeans, and two guns, but on the same information marched round and stopt at two days distance in his rear. On the 25th Mahomed Issoof with his army joined Captain Preston at Chinglapet.