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180 the 20th, Hastings quietly sent off to Colonel Muir his last words concerning the treaty he was then negotiating with Sindhia. Warned of danger to his little party, he withdrew by night to the river-fortress of Chanár. The Nawáb-Wazír made liberal offers of help, which Hastings proudly declined. In the same spirit he rejected all overtures from Chait Singh, who had mustered an army 40,000 strong within ten miles of Chanár.

The country around him was seething with disorder and armed rebellion. But the first days of September found Popham strong enough to open a campaign which speedily avenged the late disasters, replaced the city and province of Benares under British rule, and drove Chait Singh for shelter into his last stronghold of Bijaigarh on the heights that overlook the northern bank of the Son. The first rumour of Popham's advance sent him flying again with the bulk of his treasures into Bundelkhand. The capture of Bijaigarh in November closed a brief but brilliant campaign. The rich booty found there was forthwith divided among the captors, so that Hastings lost his only chance of replenishing his treasury at Chait Singh's expense. He contrived, however, to secure for the Company one great and permanent advantage. The Rájá's forfeit domains were transferred to his nephew on conditions which clearly defined his future rights and duties, and doubled the revenue formerly payable to the Calcutta Treasury. The re-