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 LAWRENCE, REINFORCED, RESOLVES TO ATTACK. 403 himself was averse to appeal to the arbitrament of the chap. sword. He confined himself, therefore, to intercept-, IX ^ ing supplies and attacking convoys, whilst he 1753. hurried on the defences he was throwing up at the Golden and Sugarloaf Rocks. This was acting the policy of Lawrence. This officer remained in the open plain, amusing the French by feigned attacks, till September 27. On that date he was joined by 237* Europeans and 300 sipahis. As bold as his adversary was cautious, he at once determined to attempt the storm of the French intrenchments before they should be quite finished. As true had, like Brennier before him, placed the greater part of his force on the Sugar- loaf Rock, the intrenchments of which had been com- pleted on three sides ; to the Golden Rock he had detached 100 Europeans, 600 sipahis, and two guns, intending to fortify that also. The space between the rocks and all around them was occupied by the Mara- thas and Maisurians. Astruc hoped, by holding an impregnable position here, to blockade the English on three sides, whilst Dupleix should induce the Raja of Tanjur to renounce their alliance. This would com- plete the investment, and insure the fall of Trinchina- palli. Such was the state of affairs when, on September 27 the detachment under Captains Ridge and Calliaud joined Lawrence. That officer resolved to attack with as little delay as possible. Moving, accordingly on the morning of October 1 to the Fakir's Tope, he drew up his men and offered battle. Astruc, however, having declined it, he encamped on the ground on which he was drawn up. But before break of day on the follow- ing morning, he advanced at the head of 600 Europeans, six guns, and 2,000 sipahis towards the Golden Rock, assaulted it in three columns before he had been was Captain Calliaud, a man subse- warfare. DD 2
 * One of the officers with these quently famous in Anglo-Indian