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130 This was a blow, and what was worse, a blow which a little prudence would have avoided. Its effects were quickly visible in the cooling of the new-born enthusiasm of the Maráthá and Mysore troops. The coolness was not, however, proof against the methods of Dupleix. When the leaders of those troops noted that Lawrence remained inactive after his victory, and took no steps to improve it, they, after a momentary hesitation, openly declared for the French.

Dupleix gained, too, another advantage at this period by the compulsory departure of Clive for Europe. That brilliant chief, after recovering from the fever which had taken him to Madras, had won back for Muhammad Alí nearly the whole of North Arcot, had routed a force sent by Dupleix to relieve Covelong, had taken that place and Chengalpat, the strongest fortress after Gingi in Southern India, and had then proceeded to England. Lawrence, however, still remained, and Lawrence was very decidedly a man to be feared.

Still, if De la Touche and his 700 men would but arrive, there was hope that even Lawrence might be foiled: De la Touche had never been beaten: he had displayed all the qualities which entitle a man to command his fellows—he had no fear of responsibility, was active, daring, and intelligent. From him much was to be hoped. The despair, the agony