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 It was found that he was moving' his family and effects; that some sepoys and cavalry who were in course of being paid off by the Chief at Vizagapatam had been re-called by the Rája and had actually joined him at Padmanábham; that the country peons were collecting; that promises had been made to the other zamindars for the purpose of conciliating them; and that it was imagined to be the Rája's intention to proceed to Jeypore or,further still, to the Bastar country of Nagpur. Once in the hills, a very large force of paiks would- of course be at his disposal.

On the 14th May a company of the Rája's sepoys stationed at Vizianagram marched off, without informing the commanding officers of their intentions, to join the Rája at Padmanábham, and three companies which were at Srungavarapukóta acted in the same way. Spies were sent out by the Chief and Council and returned with the news that it was the Rája's intention to resist the Company's forces to the last, and, if finally overpowered,' then to do as the Bobbili family did formerly ' when their fort was captured by Bussy. Messengers, it was added, had arrived from Sítaráma Rázu, who was then under surveillance at Madras, stating that owing to war between the English and French all the Company's troops would be required in the south, in which event the Company would only be too glad to adjust matters in a conciliating" spirit with the Rája. 'Since this report was published, Viziarama Rázu seems to appear in good spirits.'

On the 29th May, Lieutenant-Colonel Prendergast arrived at Bimlipatam from Chicacole with five companies of sepoys, and was joined by Captain Cox from Vizianagram with two and a half companies. He reported that some European gunners were coming up from Madras by sea, and indented on the arsenal at Vizagapatam for two brigades of six-pounders and one brigade of three pounders, with their full complement of ammunition.

By this time the number of fighting men who had joined the Rája amounted to four thousand men. He appeared to be aware that he was engaged in a desperate enterprize, and to shrink from the actual hostilities that were imminent. He sent for a Doctor Martin, who was with the troops at Bimlipatam and to whom he was known, on the plea that he required his professional advice. The Chief gave the doctor permission to go. He found the Rája prostrated, both in body and mind, and after prescribing for his bodily ailments, he was asked by his patient whether he could administer to a diseased mind. The doctor replied that his skill did not extend so far, but that he hoped and believed the Rája was not afflicted in that way beyond all cure. The Rája 52