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260 The fort of Shikarpoor at the same time fell into the hands of the English. Dhoondia escaped by crossing the river in a boat, and, being closely pursued, was compelled to take refuge in the Mahratta territory, where he encamped with the remnant of his followers. But here he was not permitted to rest; for Ghokla, a chief commanding a division of the Peishwa's army, surprised and routed him totally, taking his cannon, elephants, tents, and baggage. The freebooter himself escaped with difficulty, fled none knew whither, and in a short time Dhoondia was almost forgotten.

Suddenly, however, about the month of May, 1800, this daring freebooter again appeared; having found means to repair the damage he had sustained from the Mahrattas, he moved to the south at the head of five thousand horse, threatened the Mysore frontier, and occasioned immense alarm over a country so open to his predatory visits. No time was lost in despatching a sufficient force to crush him altogether, or compel him to retire, and Colonel Wellesley was intrusted with the command. Another force was directed to co-operate with that of the Colonel; but fearing the marauder would escape unless promptly encountered, Colonel Wellesley pushed on alone, and, by forced marches, succeeded on the 30th of July in surprising a division of Dhoondia's army, while encamped on the right bank of the Malpoorba. The attack was crowned by the most complete success: not a man within the camp escaped; while a quantity of baggage, elephants, camels, horses, and bullocks became the prey of the assailants.

After the destruction of this portion of his army, Dhoondia retired with the remainder to the opposite side of the Malpoorba. This operation was not effected without much difficulty; for, being destitute of boats, he made his way through jungles to the sources of the river, round which he passed. As the transport of the guns and stores of the English army by such a route would have been extremely inconvenient, it was deemed