Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/666

642 and immediately sent out all the cavalry remaining in the camp, which were 1000 black, and 80 European horse: they were led by Vasserot, but whilst proceeding straight towards Trivadi, the Mysoreans filed off from thence along the Panar, until they reached the bounds of Fort St. David, and then crossing the plain, and keeping about a mile from the sea, came in towards the evening at Ariancopang, three miles in the rear of the French camp at Perimbé. They set out from Trivadi, with 2000 head of cattle, which retarding their march, they left in different herds in various places, intending to return and bring them in by detachments; so that only 300 bullocks arrived with them at the French camp. The day after, Mr. Lally, in order to make proof of their service, advanced with them all, and the French European horse, towards the grand guard of the English cavalry, which was posted a mile and a half in front of the camp. All, when at a proper distance, set off on the gallop, and surrounded the guard on every side. Colonel Coote immediately pushed to relieve them with the main body of the cavalry, from the camp; but before they came up, as these kind of onsets are generally decided in a very few minutes, the whole guard was dispersed, and hurrying back to take shelter with the main body. The Mysoreans carried off 30 horses belonging to the black cavalry, and seven to the hussars. Ensign Turner, who commanded at Cuddalore, receiving intelligence of the cattle which had been left on the way, went out with the Sepoys of his garrison, and in two or three days collected and drove in 900 of them; and none of the rest got into Pondicherry.

The detachment of Mysoreans escorted the officers appointed by Hyder Alley to settle the treaty and the plan of operations with the French government. A little before their arrival a report had been spread, that orders were on the way recalling Mr. Lally to France; which the Mysoreans hearing insisted that Mr. Deleyrit, and all the members of the Council, should sign the treaty; had they refused, no further assistance was to be expected; they therefore signed at, but at the same time composed a protest, which they kept entirely