Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/595



THE two armies in the Carnatic continued, during the first days of January, in their encampments near Arcot, equally cautious of risquing any attempt of consequence, because both were, waiting the result of their negotiations to bring Innis Khan with his Morattoes to their assistance. Both offered 60,000 rupees; but, whilst the English were proposing conditional bills, the French sent ready money, which determined his preference. He arrived on the 8th in the French camp, with 3000 mounted, and a greater number of foot plunderers, who are called Pandarums, and always troop with the horse, as we have described when Bajinrow joined Clive in the fight near Arni. The next day, the French army filed off from their encampment which extended from the suburbs of Arcot along the south side of the Paliar, and took the road towards Trivatore; and, as they were going off, Mr. Lally, with a large body of Morattoes, some of the European horse, and two field-pieces, crossed the river, and advanced to Trimuddi, an out-post, three miles in front of the English camp at Chinasimundrum. A cannonade ensued, but more guns and troops coming up, Mr. Lally retired, and recrossed the river: during which, a body of 200 Morattoes, with whom Colonel Coote had treated, came over from the enemy's, and joined his camp. In the evening, Colonel Coote proceeded across the river, with an escort of horse, and reconnoitred the enemy's line of march, and suspecting, that they might intend against Vandiwash, took his measures accordingly. Orders were dispatched to Captain Sherlock, who commanded