Page:Dupleix and the Struggle for India by the European Nations.djvu/104

Rh It was soon to become supreme in the territories called by the English the 'Northern Sirkars,' comprising Ganjám, Vizagapatam, Godávarí, and Krishná. It was supreme in the territories subsequently known as the 'Ceded Districts,' comprising Cuddapah, Karnúl, and Belláry. Through Chandá Sáhib, it was equally supreme in the Karnátik, with the exception of Trichinopoli, held by Muhammad Alí, and of Tanjore, governed by its own prince. Excepted, too, must be Madras and Fort St. David, in which, however, at the moment, the English showed few signs of life. Apparently their influence had sunk to zero. For the moment, then, the astute ruler of Pondichery had triumphed all along the line. He could not detect the presence of the vestige of a cloud on the horizon. His one enemy, Muhammad Alí, had offered to come into his scheme. The English were inactive, and apparently hopeless of interfering with his plans. What was there, then, which could possibly prevent the successful development of his far-reaching schemes? He could detect nothing. The English equally could detect nothing. Yet, though they knew it not, there was brooding amid the silence of Fort St. David a man who did accomplish that apparently impossible feat.