Page:History of the French in India.djvu/291

 TBIUMril OF THE FRENCH ARMS. 269 dispersed than he advanced on the infantry, and after a chap. body of at least 20,000 men advancing on his left flank. At the sight of this new enemy the French began almost to despair of success, but as they advanced nearer de la Touche discovered to his joy the French standard displayed on the back of the foremost ele- phant : almost immediately afterwards a messenger from Muzaffar Jang conveyed to de la Touche the intelligence of the success of all the plans of the conspirators. Nasir Jang, in fact, relying on the full powers with which he had accredited the envoys he had sent to Pondichery, would not believe that they were French who were attacking him. When it would no longer admit of a doubt, he sent orders to his generals to repulse "this mad attempt of a parcel of drunken Europeans,"* whilst, seated on his elephant, he took his station amongst his guns. Near him, on another elephant, was seated Muzaffar Jang, under the guarcl- dianship of an officer who had received instructions to behead him on the first appearance of treason. In the midst of the action, seeing some of his men retiring from the field, the Subadar inquired and learned that the Patan Nawwabs, the Dalwai of Maisur, and the Marathas, had ordered their troops to abstain from any participation in the action. Enraged at this, he started on his elephant to threaten them, first giving orders for the beheadal of Muzaffar Jang. The Nawwab of Kada- pah, whom he first met and upbraided, replied by a defiant answer, and directed his attendant to fire at the Subadar. As the piece, however, missed, he unslung his own carbine, and shot Nasir Jang through the heart. The Subadar's head was instantly cut off and
 * Orme.