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270 to hold himself in readiness to cease hostilities as soon as intelligence should be received from Poonah of a corresponding disposition. This resolution was connected with the terrible irruption which Hyder, in alliance with the Nizam and the Mahrattas, had made into the Carnatic, threatening the very existence of the British establishment at Madras. Under these circumstances, it was determined to make sacrifices to a great extent, in order to detach the Court of Poonah from this formidable confederacy. The treaty, however, proceeded slowly, especially after tidings had arrived of the catastrophe that had befallen Colonel Baillie's detachment.

In these discouraging circumstances, General Goddard conceived that an advance with his army beyond the Ghauts, so as to menace the Mahratta capital, might produce a favourable effect. Accordingly, with about 600 men, he succeeded in penetrating the Ghauts; but Nana Furnavese, the Mahratta minister, still refused to separate from his ally; and the General was so harassed by attacks on his rear, by having his convoys intercepted, and by seeing the country laid waste around him, that he at length felt the necessity of retreating to Bombay.

In the meantime, Mr. Hastings, the Governor-General, attempted to influence the war by military movements from Bengal, directed towards the very heart of India. Captain Popham, with 2,400 men, crossed the Jumna, and attacked the fort of Lahar; but finding it much stronger than was expected, and labouring under the want of battering-cannon, he could effect only a very imperfect breach. He determined, however, to storm it; and though both the officers who led the assault fell, the troops followed with such intrepidity that the place was carried with the loss of one hundred and twenty-five men.

But a still more splendid prize was soon to reward the enterprising spirit of Captain Popham: this was Gwalior, a stronghold, considered in Hindostan Proper as the most formidable bulwark of the empire. It was built upon an exceeding high rock, which was scarped nearly