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136 to action. On his approach, the allies withdrew behind their intrenchments. To such a state of distress was he reduced at last that he found himself compelled to employ his whole force as an escort to convoys whose arrival was necessary for the provision of supplies. It need not be told how service of this nature harassed and distressed his men.

During three months the allies persisted in their policy. More than one opportunity was offered them of inflicting serious damage on the convoys and the troops escorting them, but they were not taken. Lawrence, however, felt so keenly the danger threatening English interests from the existence of an intrenched camp so close to Fort St. David whilst Trichinopoli, invested by the Mysore troops, was crying for relief, that he determined to take advantage of the arrival of 200 Europeans from Madras to storm the intrenchment. But a reconnaissance in force, and the failure of a sharp fire from his two 24-pounders to make any impression on the defences, showed him that the attempt could not succeed. Irritated and anxious, he waited three weeks longer, hoping some chance might offer. Instead of such a chance, he received, at the close of that period, despatches from Dalton, who commanded in Trichinopoli, telling him that he had but three weeks' supplies of provisions, and that he was blockaded on all sides. Lawrence did not hesitate a moment. Leaving 150 Europeans and 500 sipáhis under Captain Chace to defend Tiruvádí, he marched with the remainder of his troops,