Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/553

Book XI. lately encamped. The officers of Lally's and the battalion of India, hearing the drums of Lorrain, beat the general likewise, and turned out the line, thinking the camp was going to be attacked by the English; and some of the officers who had persisted in accompanying the men of Lorrain, prevailed on them to stop; but could not, to return, before they knew the intentions of Lally's and India, of whom they had some doubt, whether not preparing to surround and attack them. For this purpose they detached a picket to confer with them, of whom the spokesman was the boldest of the mutiny, and, instead of proposing any conditions for Lorrain, exhorted all he harangued to follow their example, and redress their common wrongs, unless the whole army immediately received the full arrears of their pay. His words ran like fire: all, animated with the same spirit, cried out, march. The expostulations of their officers were vain, they were ordered to retire. Parties and detachments were commanded, which brought up the field-artillery, the tumbrils, oxen, tents, and baggage, and even obliged the buzar and market, which consisted of 2000 persons, and a multitude of animals, to move with them, and to which they appointed the usual guard. They sent likewise to demand the colours; but seeing the officers determined to die rather than deliver them, desisted. As soon as every thing was gathered, the whole line, with seventeen pieces of cannon, marched away. As soon as they arrived at the mountain, they with one voice elected La Joye, the serjeant-major of the grenadiers of Lorrain, their commander in chief; and he immediately nominated another Serjeant his major-general, and appointed the best of the rank and file to command the different companies, with the usual titles of commissioned officers. Orders were then prepared, and read at the head of the men, exacting every article of the service. The camp was pitched, centries, pickets, advanced guards, rounds, calls, with every detail of duty and discipline, strictly observed. They did not like, but did not refuse, the visit of several of their officers; but forbade every interference that seemed authority. On hints whether they intended to go over to the English, they pointed to