Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/168

144 apparent strength of his force; the two guns were dragged by volunteer camp-followers, and manned by wounded artillerymen. The summit of a flat rock was chosen as the scene of operation, and was approached by a circuitous and concealed route. Immediately on its being attained, the two guns opened a fire of grape on the enemy's left flank, and the voice of every individual in the little band, sound or sick, joined that of their commander in shouting "Hurrah! Smith! Smith!"

Throughout the field the impression was conveyed alike to friends and enemies, that the division of Colonel Smith had arrived, and the effect was almost magical. The delusion, indeed, could not long be maintained; but the temporary advantage which it gave the English allowed Colonel Wood an opportunity of making a better disposition of his force; and when Hyder, after discovering the deception, resumed the attack, he found his opponents well prepared to receive him. Repeatedly failing in his attempts, he returned again and again, but still in vain; and when darkness put an end to the combat, the English remained in possession of the field. The loss of Hyder Ali was reported to amount to a thousand men; while that of the English was less than a quarter of that number.

After various marchings and countermarchings, unworthy of relation, Hyder Ali laid siege to Oussoor, and Colonel Wood moved to relieve it, by which he exposed Bangalore to an attack from the enemy. This place was garrisoned by part of Mahomed Ali's troops, under the command of a British officer. The enemy gained possession of the pettah, but made no attempt upon the fort, content with loading all the carts and tumbrils that could be spared with the stores and baggage of Colonel Wood's division, which had been left there for safety, and with the capture of some eighteen pounders which were without the gate. A dreadful scene occurred on this occasion. The entrance of the enemy had caused a rush of men, women, and children towards the fort for