Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/530

506 with the renter's, did not exceed six hundred, although Narrain Saustry had twice as many, to attack the pagoda again; which the enemy, after skirmishing three hours, abandoned, and all ran away to take shelter in the hills of Matlaver. Four of the renter's men were killed, and 20 wounded. Every thing being thus quieted in the neighbourhood, and no farther tidings of the French party from Arcot, Calliaud set out on his return on the 18th with all the troops he had brought, excepting ten Europeans, whom he left with Wilcox. No party of Europeans had marched from Arcot against Tripetti, and the report arose from the plundering excursion of some Sepoys and horse in the skirts of Bomerauze's country, to second a demand they were making on him of 60,000 rupees. Nevertheless the advices were so intirely credited at Madrass, that Colonel Brereton, without waiting to advise with the council, ordered Major Monson to move the army from Conjeveram towards Arcot, as nearer to succour whatsoever the enemy might intend to distress. They marched on the 5th; and on the 7th in the morning appeared before Covrepauk, with two 18 and two 12-pounders. This fort is small, but well-built of stone, and has a wet ditch, which was in good order. Colonel Monson summoned the officer, more according to form than his own expectation of the answer he received, which was, that, if the garrison, whites and blacks, were permitted to retire to Arcot, the soldiers with their knapsacks, and the officers with their effects, the gate should be immediately delivered: the capitulation was transacted and concluded in less than an hour. This easy success, for the fort was worthy of breach, gave hopes that the French garrison of Arcot would not make all the defence they might; and as the situation was equally near to Tripetti, the army advanced, and arrived in the city on the 9th. The garrison shewed good countenance, and their artillery was so superior, that nothing could be done, until the English army were supplied with a train from Madrass, before which the greatest part of the French army might arrive from their different cantonments to the relief of Arcot; and for this reason, Major Monson, before he received the orders of