Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/732

708 found in them was brought to the citadel, from whence they were distributed equally to the military and inhabitants. Two colonels lately arrived from France, men of family, deemed the search in their apartments an affront, and sent word to Mr. Lally, that they would no longer act as officers; but on every occasion as Volunteers. But the event justified the severity; for by the end of December, notwithstanding some supply from the sea, the public stock did not exceed the consumption of three days; and Mr. Lally, guided by certain information, determined another search; on which father Lavaur, the superior of the Jesuits, who knew all the secrets of the town, prevailed on him to defer it, promising to produce a sufficiency for fifteen days more, but gave no expectation of further supply; but the French agents with Vizvazypunt sent hopes of succeeding in their negociation; and on the last day of the year intelligence was received in the English camp, and somewhat credited, that a large body of Morattoes, with all the French horse, were arrived from Cudapanatam at Trinomalee, and were going to Thiagar, from whence they intended, at all events, to push with provisions to Pondicherry.

The rains had ceased for some days, and the weather was restored to its usual temperance; the sky bright, although the winds sometimes strong, which always, at this season, blow from the north, and near the coast in the day from the sea, and at night from the land: but on the 30th of December, although the weather continued fair, a large swell came from the s. E. and the surf beat so hollow and heavy, that no boats could pass; which encreased in the night. The next morning the wind freshened, and the sky was close, and dusky, but without that wild irregularity which prognosticates a storm; and this aspect did not change till noon, nor the wind encrease until eight at night. There were in the road eight sail of the line, two frigates, the fire-ship, and the ship with stores from Madrass, in all 12 sail. From eight o'clock the wind blew in squalls, every one stronger than the last, until 10, when the Admiral's ship, Norfolk, cut her cable, and fired the signal for the other ships to