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304 a deep feeling of regret that it should have been so utterly wasted; for they suffered so severely that it was judged necessary to withdraw them, and wait till the infantry should come up. That force, which had marched at three o'clock, arrived at eleven, having occupied in their march only two hours more than the cavalry. At this time a message was received from the enemy, offering to surrender their guns upon terms, an offer which was accepted by Lord Lake, who allowed the Mahrattas an hour to come to a final decision.

The English general, who seems to have expected little from this overture, employed the interval of suspense in making preparations for renewing the attack under more advantageous circumstances. The infantry were formed into two columns on the left: the first was destined to turn the right flank of the enemy, and to attack the village of Laswarree; the second column was to support the first. There were three brigades of cavalry: one of these, the third, was instructed to support the infantry; the second was detached to the right to watch the motions of the enemy, take advantage of any confusion that might occur, and fall upon them in the event of a retreat; the remaining brigade, the first, which was formed between the third and second, composed the reserve. As many field-pieces as could be brought up, with the gallopers attached to the cavalry, formed four distinct batteries to support the operations of the infantry.

The hour of expectation passed; and nothing further being heard from the enemy, the infantry were ordered to advance. Their march lay along the bank of a rivulet, and for a time they pursued it, under cover of high grass and amidst broken ground, concealed from the enemy. As soon, however, as they were discovered, and their object ascertained, the enemy threw back their right wing under cover of heavy discharges of artillery. Showers of grape, poured forth from large mortars, as well as from guns of heavy calibre, did fearful execution on the British infantry, whose batteries returned the fire with promp-