Page:History of the French in India.djvu/328

 304 THE STRUGGLES OF DUPLEIX WITH ADVERSITY. chap, as they were preparing to cross the Arni. With their , usual gallantry, the French turned to meet their rivals, 1751. but, though somewhat superior in numbers, they were absolutely deficient in that one necessity, the possession of which by the English made up for even greater disparity. The force under Clive consisted of 200 Europeans, 700 sipahls, and 600 Maratha horse. With the French, 300 in number, were 2,500 foot, and 2,000 horse levies. But whilst they had no general, the English possessed Olive. The consequence was that the French badly posted, and having no competent commander, were completely out-manceuvred. Charged in their flank at a critical period of the action, they were forced to abandon the field, and with it their guns, to the enemy. They retreated thence hastily on Jinji with a loss of 50 Europeans and 150 natives, killed and wounded. The English lost not one of their own countrymen and but eight sipahis ; of the Marathas about 50 were missing.* Encouraged by this success, Clive marched on Kanchi- puram which had been meanwhile taken by the French, reduced it after a smart resistance, and then returned to Fort St. David to concert measures for the relief of Trichinapalli. Whilst engaged in this important design, intelligence reached the Presidency that Raju Sahib, taking advantage of Clive's absence, had recovered Kanchipuram, and had ravaged the country up to within a few miles of Madras itself. Determined to clear the province of this enemy before venturing on the greater enterprise, Clive left Fort St. David at the head of a force, which, though inferior to that of the enemy, was yet considerable. The terror of his name preceded him. Raju Sahib and his French allies at once abandoned the vicinity of Madras, and retreated to an intrenched camp at Vendalur. Here, however, they conceived the design of surprising Arkat, whilst Clive should be engaged
 * Orme.