Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/506

482 out of the very first he should receive; and, as he could not break through the regulation, assured them he would solicit the Company by a representation of their hardships and services, to give up their share of what might be take in Masulipatam; of which, he should retain the amount, until their determination was known. These promises appeased them; and they returned to their duty with their usual ardour. Nevertheless the batteries were not completed till the 25th, 18 days after the arrival of the army, during which the fort had kept a constant fire, which had only killed five men. Salabadjing, as he approached, sent forward letters and messengers, commanding Anunderauze and the Zemindars who had joined the English, to quit them, and repair immediately, as vassals to his standard. On the 27th, advices were received in the camp, that his army was arrived at Bezoara on the Kristna, 40 miles from Masulipatam; and the same day came reports, that the French army of observation had retaken Rajahmundrum.

The Rajah, who had for some days been faltering, was now so terrified, that he marched away with all his forces the same night, without giving warning, intending to regain his own country on the other side of the Godaveri; and, notwithstanding the dilatoriness of his former motions, he on this occasion advanced 16 miles before day-break. Colonel Forde sent messengers after him, representing the absurdity of his conduct, in thinking to escape the numerous cavalry of Salabadjing on the one hand, and the French army of observation, who were towards Rajahmundrum, on the other; whereas, by remaining with the English troops his retreat would be assured, and the reduction of Masulipatam, even now not impracticable. The plain good sense of this advice brought him back with his army to the Pettah. Colonel Forde, although with little hopes, would not neglect the only means in his power of amusing Salabadjing from advancing to the relief of Masulipatam, and requested his permission to send a deputy to treat, professing no other intention than to take possession of the French garrisons and factories on the coast, without assuming the authority they had held in the