Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/551

Book XI imputed not more to his jealousy of the importance which Mr. Bussy would regain, by his influence with a prince long accustomed to respect his character, than to his own obligations to Rajahsaheb, who it was said had purchased his appointment. However, Mr. Lally had consented, that Mr. Bussy should march with a detachment to join Bassaulut Jung, and conclude the negotiation, when the French squadron sailed away from Pondicherry, where news arrived the same day of the action at Vandiwash, on which Mr. Lally, as a complete victory, fired a hundred guns round the ramparts of Pondicherry, and wrote magnificent accounts of the success to every man of consequence within or near the province. Mr. Bussy arrived at Vandiwash on the 5th of October. The English army had left their encampment in sight of this place the day before; they halted two days at Trivatore, during which heavy rains and the bad quality of the only water they had to drink brought sickness upon the camp, which caused Major Brereton to quit this post, and repair to Conjeveram, where they arrived on the 7th. On the same day, Mr. Bussy marched from Vandiwash with all the troops encamped there, reinforced from other parts to 1500 European foot and 300 horse, besides the black horse: he expected the English might wait, and give battle, but they were gone; and the garrison left in Trivatore, which was only ten Europeans, and a company of Sepoys, surrendered to him at discretion. Draughting 150 of the European horse, and 400 foot, to accompany him to Bassaulut Jung, he sent back the rest of the army to Vandiwash, and arrived at Arcot on the 10th; where he was detained several days, by the rains of the monsoon.

Bassaulut Jung advancing from Polore gave out that he would attack Nelore; but when he came near the Pennar quitted the southern road, and, turning to the west, encamped on the 10th of September on the plains of Sangam, a town with several pagodas on the bank of the river, 16 miles from Nelore. Here he summoned Nazeabulla and the three greater Poly gars to come and pay their obeissance to him in person. Nazeabulla contrived to make him believe magnified