Page:Dupleix and the Struggle for India by the European Nations.djvu/112

Rh four hours, the French commander felt himself well enough to follow, accompanied by Chandá Sáhib, in the direction taken by the English. A march of some twenty miles brought him to Utátur. There he beheld the English and their allies encamped in a position not only assailable, but so badly chosen that it would have been easy, with the superior native forces at his disposal, to cut them off from Trichinopoli. But instead of seizing promptly the favours offered by the blind goddess, D'Auteuil was content to dally with her. He took up a position not very far from the English camp, and endeavoured to entice them from their position. He so far succeeded that on the second day he drew a detachment of them into an ambuscade, and inflicted upon them no small loss. Encouraged by this, he arranged with Chandá Sáhib for an attack in force the day following. It was agreed between the two leaders that whilst Chandá Sáhib should lead the attack with clouds of cavalry the French infantry should follow it up and make it decisive. Here was an opportunity which, with ordinary care, might have atoned for the sluggishness after the rout of Volkondá. But, by some fatality, either Chandá Sáhib attacked too soon or the French came up too late, for the attack was repulsed. It had the effect, however, of convincing De Gingen that he could not with safety remain where he was. That night, therefore, he broke up his camp; and, marching for twelve hours, did not halt until he had reached the banks of the river Kólrun, facing Trichinopoli.