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250 assembled, several of whom appeared to be of high consideration. He directed Major Allan to summon them to an immediate surrender, in order to avert the calamities that would be inevitable were the royal residence to be taken by storm. In pursuance of his mission, Major Allan, having entered the building by a broken part of the wall, found a numerous assemblage of armed men, who appeared irresolute and undecided, but positively declared that Tippoo was not in the building, though his family and two of his sons were. After considerable hesitation, he was at length admitted to see the princes, whom he found seated on a carpet, surrounded by numerous attendants. "The recollection," says the Major, "of Mooza-ud-Dien, whom, on a former occasion, I had seen delivered up with his brother hostages to the Marquis Cornwallis – the sad reverse of their fortunes – their fear, which, notwithstanding their struggles to conceal it, was but too evident – excited the strongest emotions of compassion in my mind. I took Mooza-ud-Dien by the hand, and endeavoured by every mode in my power to remove his fears." After expressing much alarm and many objections, the princes allowed themselves to be conducted into the presence of the British commander. The General was greatly irritated, from having just heard that thirteen Grenadiers of the 33rd, made prisoners during the siege, had been murdered by Tippoo, and his feelings were probably heightened by the recollection of his own sufferings in the same place; but when he saw these unfortunate youths led out as captives, every harsher sentiment yielded to that of pity, and he gave them the most solemn assurances that they had nothing to fear. They were escorted to the camp with all the honours due to their rank, and received there with every becoming mark of sympathy and respect.

General Baird's object being now to obtain possession of the person of the Sultan, he proceeded with a body of troops to make the most diligent search in every corner of the palace. He forbore, indeed, to enter the Zenana,