Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/157

Rh approach of Doveton and Smith; he then attacked the enemy at Seoni, on the 17th of April. They made no stand whatsoever, and while they lost as many as 1,000 men, they only succeeded in wounding two sepoys; Bájí Ráo, as was his wont, headed the fugitives, who scattered wildly in all directions, some to the south-west, pursued by Smith, and others with their chief, followed by Doveton; the rout was complete, and nearly two-thirds of a numerous army are said to have deserted immediately afterwards. Doveton, however, unfortunately got on the track of a wrong body of the flying enemy, and failed to overtake the Peshwá, who on reaching the Tápti river turned northwards to endeavour, as a last and forlorn hope, to find an asylum in Sindhia's territories, and to secure the adhesion of that prince to his desperate cause. Adams remained behind and reduced Chándá in May, after which he returned to quarters at Hoshangábád.

Bájí Ráo did not however improve his position by this move, for his passage to the north was barred by forts in British possession, and by arrangements made by Sir J. Malcolm on the Narbadá. Added to this, he was being surrounded on all sides by the concentration of other troops in the neighbourhood, and Lord Hastings, hearing of his attempt to carry the war into Sindhia's country, was about to order Ochterlony to throw himself between the enemy and Gwalior, and to assume the direction of affairs in this quarter. Hemmed in all round, and brought to bay, the Peshwá's only chance of finding a refuge was in