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 252 FRENCH INDIA AT ITS ZENITH. chap, more difficult, more requiring quick and prompt deci- . sion. To stay where he was, to meet with his demoral- 1750. ised force, and the native levies of his two allies, the vastly superior numbers of Nasir Jang, the Marathas, and the English, was to court destruction for all. His men would not fight, and their retreat would draw with it the disorderly flight of the followers of Muzaffar Jang and Chanda Sahib. It seemed, too, more than probable that such a rout would encourage the enemy to make another attempt upon Pondichery. On the other hand, the withdrawal of his troops during the night would save the French army for future operations, and would assure the safety of the French capital. But before taking any steps in the matter, d'Auteuil made one great effort to induce his army to sustain the part which best befitted them as soldiers. But his entreaties, his remonstrances, even his threats, were all in vain. The poison of mistrust had entered their ranks ; the mutinous officers had persuaded the men that they were being deliberately sacrificed to superior numbers, and so firmly had they imbibed this idea, that all the reason- ing of their commander was ineffective. They would not fight. Convinced now that his only course was to retreat, d'Auteuil sought an interview with his two allies, and laid before them the circumstances of the case. He showed them that he was forced to retreat, and he put it to them whether they would prefer to follow his fortunes, or to endeavour to make their own terms with the enemy. Then came out the difference in the character of the two men. Chanda Sahib, whose long acquaintance and constant intercourse with the French had given him a high appreciation of their character and a confidence in their fortunes, declared unhesitatingly that he would cast in his lot Avith his European allies. Muzaffar Jang, naturally weaker, pos- sessing little relf-reliance, and unable to believe that d'Auteuil had not some other motive for his conduct,