Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/147

Rh Killadars (Commandants); at one time it was proposed to undertake the task at once, but it was deferred. The subjugation of Khándesh, a province full of strongholds, and inhabited by warlike Arab colonies, was a more pressing necessity, since it afforded support to the Peshwá, whose submission was of the utmost importance. It is now time to turn to the operations directed against that prince.

Bájí Ráo, having been foiled in his attempt to penetrate into Khándesh, was left north of Poona apparently in full march upon his capital. Colonel Burr, the commandant, fearing lest this was a deliberate intention to raise a storm in a turbulent city only lately occupied and imperfectly subdued, sent to Sirúr for reinforcements. Thereupon Captain Staunton was ordered to march without delay to Poona at the head of 500 infantry, 250 cavalry, and two guns, and left camp at eight in the evening on the 31st December. Next morning when about half way he unexpectedly found himself intercepted by the whole of the Peshwá's army, numbering 20,000 horse, and 8,000 foot (of whom nearly half were Arabs — troops far more formidable than the ordinary natives). There was no possibility of getting away from these hostile masses, and Staunton, avoiding the plain, had barely time to push to the village of Koregáon to seek a precarious shelter in the danger that threatened him. In this effort he was only partially successful, for the Arabs, perceiving his object, advanced to the village, and occupying some