Page:History of the French in India.djvu/332

 308 THE STRUGGLES OF DUPLE1X WITH ADVERSITY. chap, devoid of ability, the English garrison and the Mughal soldiers and their leader had already begun a course of J 752. recrimination, which, occurring between allies, is the almost invariable precursor of disaster. A little more energy on the part of Law, and the place must have fallen. It was at this crisis that intelligence reached Dupleix of the measures that were being concerted at Fort St. David. The number of the men destined for the relief of TrichinapalH, the nature of the stores they were to escort, the probable date of their departure, — all were known to him. He instantly took a resolution worthy of himself. Detailing to Law the information which he had acquired, he sent him, at the same time, the most stringent orders to mass a great number of his troops, leaving only a few to maintain the blockade of TrichinapalH, in order to attack and intercept the enemy's convoy. These orders were reiterated in suc- cessive despatches. The very mode in which they could be carried out was indicated with a clearness which left nothing to desire. He sent him besides all the troops that had become available by the cessation of the campaign in northern Karnatik, enjoining upon him that upon this stroke depended the issue of the war, — that, the English beaten and the convoy captured, TrichinapalH must surrender, French influence must triumph ; that, failing in this blow, France would have the mortification of seeing her power, her influence, her authority so dearly gained, and till then so vigilantly maintained, transferred to her hated rivals. It was indeed a grand opportunity. Had there been a Bussy instead of a Law in the French camp, who can doubt how he would have executed the instructions of his superior ? But unfortunately for the real interests of France, Bussy, the true soldier, was far away at Aurang- abad, and Law, the pretender, was before TrichinapalH. It is vain indeed to speculate whether in the concussion between the rival and not unequal powers of Bussy and