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58 the King of Tanjore, and who bound himself by the most solemn oath to convey the fugitive, under an escort of horse, to a French settlement. Whether or not this oath dispelled the doubts of Chunda Sahib cannot be known; but, being in no condition to insist on any other security, he proceeded to the camp of Monaekjee. He expected a guard to insure his safety, and a guard was ready to receive him; but, instead of taking his place in the palanquin which had been made ready for his journey, he was forced into a tent and there loaded with irons.

The news was immediately spread through the camp, and the fate of the prisoner became an object of intense anxiety to all parties. In the morning a conference was held on the subject, when a great diversity of opinion prevailed. No one suggested the fulfilment of the engagement by which Chunda Sahib had been entrapped into captivity; but there were many competitors for the office of keeping him in safe custody, or consigning him to the still safer custody of the grave. The Nabob Mahomed Ali, the Tanjore General Monaekjee, the Commander of the Mysore troops, and the Chief of the Mahratta force, all contended for the possession of the person of Chunda Sahib; while Major Lawrence, seeing no chance of agreement, proposed that he should be given up to the British, and confined in one of their settlements. In resisting this proposal, however, the other claimants were once again unanimous; and the meeting broke up without coming to any decision.

Two days afterwards the cause of dispute was removed. A follower of Monaekjee entered the tent where lay the defeated candidate for the government of the Carnatic, bowed down by sickness, bonds, and mental suffering. He needed not to speak his errand: the prisoner too clearly understood it; yet, still clinging to hope, implored permission to see Monaekjee, on the plea that he had something of importance to communicate. But the captive's request was answered by a thrust which pierced his heart; and the assassin, having thus done his work, cut off his