The room in which they had supped the night before was the only exception. This had been specially3 furnished and decorated, in English fashion. The windows here were low, and afforded a view over the garden. Next to it were several apartments, all fitted with divans4, but with low windows and a bright outlook. They could be darkened, during the heat of the day, by shutters5. With the exception of these windows, the others throughout the house contained no glass, the light entering through innumerable holes that formed a filigree6 work in the thin slabs of stone that filled the orifices.
The grounds round the palace were thickly planted with trees, which constituted a grove7 rather than a garden, according to Dick's English notions. This was, indeed, the great object of the planter, and numerous fountains added to the effect of the overhanging foliage8.
Dick wandered about, delighted. Early as it was, men with water skins were at work among the clumps9 of flowers and shrubs10, that covered the ground wherever there was a break among the trees. Here and there were small pavilions, whose roofs of sculptured stone were supported by shafts11 of marble. The foliage of shrubs and trees alike was new to Dick, and the whole scene delighted him. Half an hour later, his two cousins joined him.
"We wondered what had become of you," Doast said, "and should not have found you, if Rajbullub had not told us that he saw you come out here.
"Come in, now. Coffee is ready. We always have coffee the first thing, except in very hot weather, when we have fruit sherbet. After that we ride or shoot till the sun gets hot, and then come in to the morning meal, at ten."
On going in, Dick found that his mother and the ranee were both up, and they all sat down to what Dick considered a breakfast, consisting of coffee and a variety of fruit and bread. One or two dishes of meat were also handed round, but were taken away untouched.
"Now come out to the stables, Dick," the Rajah said. "Anwar, the officer who commanded the escort, will meet us there. He will be your instructor12."
The stables were large. The horses were fastened to rings along each side, and were not, as in England, separated from each other by stalls. A small stone trough, with running water, was fixed13 against each wall at a convenient height, and beneath this was a pile of fodder14 before each horse.
"This is the one that I have chosen for you," the Rajah said, stopping before a pretty creature, that possessed15 a considerable proportion of Arab blood, as was shown by its small head. "It is very gentle and well trained, and is very fast. When you have got perfectly16 at ease upon it, you shall have something more difficult to sit, until you are able to ride any horse in the stable, bare backed. Murad is to be your own property, as long as you are out here."
A syce led the horse out. It was bridled17 but unsaddled, and Anwar gave a few instructions to Dick, and then said:
"I will help you up, but in a short time you will learn to vault18 on to his back, without any assistance. See! you gather your reins20 so, in your left hand, place your right hand on its shoulder, and then spring up."
"I can do that now," Dick laughed, and, placing his hand on the horse's shoulder, he lightly vaulted21 into his seat.
"Well done, Dick," the Rajah said, while the two boys, who had been looking on with amused faces, clapped their hands.
"Now, Sahib," Anwar went on, "you must let your legs hang easily. Press with your knees, and let your body sway slightly with the movement of the horse. Balance yourself, rather than try to hold on."
"I understand," Dick said. "It is just as you do on board ship, when she is rolling a bit. Let go the reins."
For half an hour the horse proceeded, at a walk, along the road that wound in and out through the park-like grounds.
"I begin to feel quite at home," Dick said, at the end of that time. "I should like to go a bit faster now. It is no odds22 if I do tumble off."
Dick did so, and Murad at once started at a gentle canter. Easy as it was, Dick thought several times that he would be off. However, he gripped as tightly as he could with his knees, and as he became accustomed to the motion, and learned to give to it, acquired ease and confidence. He was not, however, sorry when, at the end of another half hour, Anwar held up his hand as he approached him, and the horse stopped at the slightest touch of the rein.
As he slid off, his legs felt as if they did not belong to him, and his back ached so that he could scarce straighten it. The Rajah and his sons had returned to the palace, and the boys were there waiting for him.
"You have done very well, cousin," Doast said, with grave approval. "You will not be long before you can ride as well as we can. Now you had better go up at once and have a bath, and put on fresh clothes."
Dick felt that the advice was good, as, bathed in perspiration23, and stiff and sore in every limb, he slowly made his way to his room.
For the next month, he spent the greater part of his time on horseback. For the first week he rode only in the grounds of the palace; then he ventured beyond, accompanied by Anwar on horseback; then his two cousins joined the party; and, by the end of the month, he was perfectly at home on Murad's back.
So far, he had not begun to practise shooting.
"It would be of no use," the Rajah said, when he one day spoke24 of it. "You want your nerves in good order for that, and it requires an old horseman to have his hand steady enough for shooting straight, after a hard ride. Your rides are not severe for a horseman, but they are trying for you. Leave the shooting alone, lad. There is no hurry for it."
By this time, the Rajah had become convinced that it was useless to try and dissuade25 either his sister or Dick from attempting the enterprise for which they had come over. Possibly, the earnest conviction of the former that her husband was still alive influenced him to some extent, and the strength and activity of Dick showed him that he was able to play the part of a man. He said little, but watched the boy closely, made him go through trials of strength with some of his troopers, and saw him practise with blunted swords with others. Dick did well in both trials, and the Rajah then requested Anwar, who was celebrated26 for his skill with the tulwar, to give him, daily, half-an-hour's sword play, after his riding lesson. He himself undertook to teach him to use the rifle and pistol.
Dick threw himself into his work with great ardour, and in a very short time could sit any horse in the stable, and came to use a rifle and pistol with an amount of accuracy that surprised his young cousins.
"The boy is getting on wonderfully well," the Rajah said one day to his sister. "His exercises have given him so much nerve, and so steady a hand, that he already shoots very fairly. I should expect him to grow up into a fine man, Margaret, were it not that I have the gravest fears as to this mad enterprise, which I cannot help telling you, both for your good and his, is, in my opinion, absolutely hopeless."
"I know, Mortiz," she said, "that you think it is folly27, on my part, to cling to hope; and while I do not disguise from myself that there would seem but small chance that my husband has survived, and that I can give no reason for my faith in his still being alive, and my confidence that he will be restored to me some day, I have so firm a conviction that nothing will shake it. Why should I have such a confidence, if it were not well founded? In my dreams, I always see him alive, and I believe firmly that I dream of him so often, because he is thinking of me.
"When he was at sea, several times I felt disturbed and anxious, though without any reason for doing so; and each time, on his return, I found, when we compared dates, that his ship was battling with a tempest at the time I was so troubled about him. I remember that, the first time this happened, he laughed at me; but when, upon two other occasions, it turned out so, he said:
"'There are things we do not understand, Margaret. You know that, in Scotland, there are many who believe in second sight, as it is called; and that there are families there, and they say in Ireland, also, where a sort of warning is given of the death of a member of the family. We sailors are a superstitious28 people, and believe in things that landsmen laugh at. It does not seem to me impossible that, when two people love each other dearly, as we do, one may feel when the other is in danger, or may be conscious of his death. It may be said that such things seldom happen; but that is no proof that they never do so, for some people may be more sensitive to such feelings or impressions than others, and you may be one of them.
"'There is one thing, Margaret. The fact that you have somehow felt when I was in trouble should cheer you, when I am away, for if mere29 danger should so affect you, surely you will know should death befall me; and as long as you do not feel that, you may be sure that I shall return safe and sound to you.'
"Now, I believe that firmly. I was once troubled--so troubled, that, for two or three days, I was ill--and so convinced was I that something had happened to Jack30, and yet that he was not dead, that when, nigh two years afterwards, Ben came home, and I learned that it was on the day of the wreck31 of his ship that I had so suffered, I was not in the least surprised. Since then, I have more than once had the same feelings, and have always been sure that, at the time, Jack was in special danger; but I have never once felt that he was dead, never once thought so, and am as certain that he is still alive as if I saw him sitting in the chair opposite to me, for I firmly believe that, did he die, I should see his spirit, or that, at any rate, I should know for certain that he had gone.
"So whatever you say, though reason may be altogether on your side, it will not shake my confidence, one bit. I know that Jack is alive, and I believe firmly, although of this I am not absolutely sure, that he will, someday, be restored to me."
"You did not tell me this before, Margaret," the Rajah said, "and what you say goes for much, with me. Here in India there are many who, as is said, possess this power that you call second sight. Certainly, some of the Fakirs do. I have heard many tales of warnings they have given, and these have always come true. I will not try, in future, to damp your confidence; and will hope, with you, that your husband may yet be restored to you."
One evening, Dick remarked:
"You said down at Madras, Uncle, that you would, someday, tell me about the invasion by Hyder Ali. Will you tell me about it, now?"
The Rajah nodded. His sons took their seats at his feet, and Dick curled himself up on the divan, by his side.
The Rajah tells the story of the war
"You must know," the Rajah began, "that the war was really the result of the intrigues32 of Sir Thomas Rumbold, the governor of Madras, and his council. In the first place, they had seriously angered the Nizam. The latter had taken a French force into his service, which the English had compelled Basult Jung to dismiss; and Madras sent an officer to his court, with instructions to remonstrate33 with him for so doing. At the same time, they gave him notice that they should no longer pay to him the tribute they had agreed upon, for the territory called the Northern Circars. This would have led to war, but the Bengal government promptly34 interfered35, cancelled altogether the demands made by the Madras government, and for the time patched up the quarrel. The Nizam professed36 to be satisfied, but he saw that trouble might arise when the English were more prepared to enforce their demands. He therefore entered into negotiations37 with Hyder Ali and the Mahrattis for an alliance, whose object was the entire expulsion of the British from India.
"The Mahrattis from Poonah were to operate against Bombay; those in Central India and the north were to make incursions into Bengal; the Nizam was to invade the Northern Circars; and Hyder was to direct his force against Madras. Hyder at once began to collect military stores, and obtained large quantities from the French at Mahe, a town they still retain, on the Malabar coast.
"The Madras government prepared to attack Mahe, when Hyder informed them that the settlements of the Dutch, French, and English on the Malabar coast, being situated38 within his territory, were equally entitled to his protection; and that, if Mahe were attacked, he should retaliate39 by an incursion into the province of Arcot. In spite of this threat, Mahe was captured. Hyder for a time remained quiet, but the Madras government gave him fresh cause for offence by sending a force, in August, 1779, to the assistance of Basult Jung at Adoni.
"To get there, this detachment had to pursue a route which led, for two hundred miles, through the most difficult passes, and through the territories both of the Nizam and Hyder. The Council altogether ignored the expressed determination, of both these princes, to oppose the march, and did not even observe the civility of informing them that they were going to send troops through their territory.
"I do not say, Dick, that this made any real difference, in the end. The alliance between the three native Powers being made, it was certain that war would break out shortly. Still, had it not been for their folly, in giving Hyder and the Nizam a reasonable excuse for entering upon hostilities40, it might have been deferred41 until the Madras government was better prepared to meet the storm.
"The Bengal government, fortunately, again stepped in and undid42 at least a part of the evil. It took the entire management of affairs out of the hands of Rumbold's council; and its action was confirmed by the Board of Directors, who censured43 all the proceedings44, dismissed Sir Thomas Rumbold and his two chief associates from the Council, and suspended other members.
"The prompt and conciliatory measures, taken by the Bengal government, appeased45 the resentment46 felt by the Nizam, and induced him to withdraw from the Confederacy. Hyder, however, was bent47 upon war, and the imbecile government here took no steps, whatever, to meet the storm. The commissariat was entirely48 neglected, they had no transport train whatever, and the most important posts were left without a garrison49.
"It was towards the end of June that we received the news that Hyder had left his capital at the head of an army of ninety thousand men, of whom twenty-eight thousand were cavalry50. He attempted no disguise as to his object, and moved, confident in his power, to conquer the Carnatic and drive the English into the sea.
"My father had already made his preparations. Everything was in readiness, and as soon as the news reached him, he started for Madras, under the guard of his escort, with my mother and myself, most of the traders of the town, and the landowners, who had gathered here in fear and trembling.
"It was a painful scene, as you may imagine, and I shall never forget the terrified crowds in the streets, and the wailing51 of the women. Many families who then left reached Madras in safety, but of those who remained in the town, all are dead, or prisoners beyond the hills. Hyder descended52 through the pass of Changama on the 20th of July, and his horsemen spread out like a cloud over the country, burning, devastating53, and slaughtering54. Hyder moved with the main army slowly, occupying town after town, and placing garrisons55 in them.
"You must not suppose that he devastated56 the whole country. He was too wise for that. He anticipated reigning57 over it as its sovereign, and had no wish to injure its prosperity. It was only over tracts58 where he considered that devastation59 would hamper60 the movements of an English army, that everything was laid waste.
"On the 21st of August he invested Arcot, and a week later, hearing that the British army had moved out from Madras, he broke up the siege and advanced to meet them. Sir Hector Munro, the British general, was no doubt brave, but he committed a terrible blunder. Instead of marching to combine his force with that of Colonel Baillie, who was coming down from Guntoor, he marched in the opposite direction to Conjeveram, sending word to Colonel Baillie to follow him. Baillie's force amounted to over two thousand eight hundred men, Munro's to five thousand two hundred. Had they united, the force would have exceeded eight thousand, and could have given battle to Hyder's immense army with fair hope of success. The English have won, before now, with greater odds against them.
"My father had marched out with his cavalry, one hundred and fifty strong, with Munro. Of course, I was with him, and it was to him that the English general gave the despatch61 to carry to Colonel Baillie. We rode hard, for at any moment Hyder's cavalry might swoop62 down and bar the road; but we got through safely, and the next morning, the 24th, Baillie started.
"The encampment was within twenty-five miles of Madras, and with one long forced march, we could have effected a junction63 with Munro. The heat was tremendous, and Baillie halted that night on the bank of the River Cortelour. The bed was dry, and my father urged him to cross before halting. The colonel replied that the men were too exhausted64 to move farther, and that, as he would the next day be able to join Munro, it mattered not on which side of the river he encamped.
"That night the river rose, and for ten days we were unable to cross. On the 4th of September we got over; but by that time Tippoo, with five thousand picked infantry65, six thousand horse, six heavy guns, and a large body of irregulars, detached by Hyder to watch us, barred the way.
"Colonel Baillie, finding that there was no possibility of reaching Conjeveram without fighting, took up a position at a village, and on the 6th was attacked by Tippoo. The action lasted three hours, and although the enemy were four times more numerous than we were, the English beat off the attacks. We were not engaged, for against Tippoo's large cavalry force our few horsemen could do nothing, and were therefore forced to remain in the rear of the British line. But though Colonel Baillie had beaten off the attacks made on him, he felt that he was not strong enough to fight his way to Conjeveram, which was but fourteen miles distant; and he therefore wrote to Sir Hector Munro, to come to his assistance.
"For three days Sir Hector did nothing, but on the evening of the 8th he sent off a force, composed of the flank companies of the regiments66 with him. These managed to make their way past the forces both of Hyder and Tippoo, and reached us without having to fire a shot.
"Their arrival brought our force up to over three thousand seven hundred men. Had Munro made a feigned67 attack upon Hyder, and so prevented him from moving to reinforce Tippoo, we could have got through without much difficulty. But he did nothing; and Hyder, seeing the utter incapacity of the man opposed to him, moved off with his whole army and guns to join his son.
"Our force set out as soon as it was dark, on the evening of the 9th; but the moment we started, we were harassed68 by the enemy's irregulars. The march was continued for five or six miles, our position becoming more and more serious, and at last Colonel Baillie took the fatal resolution of halting till morning, instead of taking advantage of the darkness to press forward. At daybreak, fifty guns opened on us. Our ten field pieces returned the fire, until our ammunition69 was exhausted. No orders were issued by the colonel, who had completely lost his head; so that our men were mowed70 down by hundreds, until at last the enemy poured down and slaughtered71 them relentlessly72.
"We did not see the end of the conflict. When the colonel gave the orders to halt, my father said to me:
"'This foolish officer will sacrifice all our lives. Does he think that three thousand men can withstand one hundred thousand, with a great number of guns? We will go while we can. We can do no good here.'
"We mounted our horses and rode off. In the darkness, we came suddenly upon a body of Tippoo's horsemen, but dashed straight at them and cut our way through, but with the loss of half our force, and did not draw rein until we reached Madras.
"The roar of battle had been heard at Conjeveram, and the fury and indignation in the camp, at the desertion of Colonel Baillie's detachment, was so great that the general at last gave orders to march to their assistance. When his force arrived within two miles of the scene of conflict, the cessation of fire showed that it was too late, and that Baillie's force was well-nigh annihilated73. Munro retired74 to Conjeveram, and at three o'clock the next morning retreated, with the loss of all his heavy guns and stores, to Madras.
"The campaign only lasted twenty-one days, and was marked by almost incredible stupidity and incapacity on the part of the two English commanders. We remained at Madras. My father determined75 that he would take no more share in the fighting until some English general, possessing the courage and ability that had always before distinguished76 them, took the command. In the meantime, Hyder surrounded and captured Arcot, after six weeks' delay, and then laid siege to Amboor, Chingleput, and Wandiwash.
"In November Sir Eyre Coote arrived from England and took the command. Confidence was at once restored, for he was a fine old soldier, and had been engaged in every struggle in India from the time of Clive; but with the whole country in the hands of Hyder, it was impossible to obtain draft animals or carts, and it was not until the middle of January that he was able to move. On the 19th he reached Chingleput, and on the 20th sent off a thousand men to obtain possession of the fort of Carangooly. It was a strong place, and the works had been added to by Hyder, who had placed there a garrison of seven hundred men. The detachment would not have been sent against it, had not news been obtained, on the way, that the garrison had fallen back to Chingleput.
"Our troop of cavalry went with the detachment, as my father knew the country well. To the surprise of Captain Davis, who was in command, we found the garrison on the walls.
"'What do you think, Rajah?' Captain Davis, who was riding by his side, asked. 'My orders were that I was to take possession of the place, but it was supposed that I should find it empty.'
"'I should say that you had better try, with or without orders,' my father replied. 'The annihilation of Baillie's force, and the miserable77 retreat of Munro, have made a terribly bad impression through the country, and a success is sorely needed to raise the spirits of our friends.'
"'We will do it,' Captain Davis said, and called up a few English engineers, and a company of white troops he had with him, and ordered them to blow in the gate.
"My father volunteered to follow close behind them, with his dismounted cavalry, and, when the word was given, forward we went. It was hot work, I can tell you. The enemy's guns swept the road, and their musketry kept up an incessant78 roar. Many fell, but we kept on until close to the gate, and then the white troops opened fire upon Hyder's men on the walls, so as to cover the sappers, who were fixing the powder bags.
"They soon ran back to us. There was a great explosion, and the gates fell. With loud shouts we rushed forward into the fort; and close behind us came the Sepoys, led by Captain Davis.
"It took some sharp fighting before we overcame the resistance of the garrison, who fought desperately79, knowing well enough that, after the massacre80 of Baillie's force, little quarter would be given them. The British loss was considerable, and twenty of my father's little company were among the killed. Great stores of provisions were found here, and proved most useful to the army.
"The news, of the capture of Carangooly, so alarmed the besiegers of Wandiwash that they at once raised the siege, and retreated; and, on the following day, Sir Eyre Coote and his force arrived there. It was a curious thing that, on the same day of the same month, Sir Eyre Coote had, twenty-one years before, raised the siege of Wandiwash by a victory over the army that was covering the operation. Wandiwash had been nobly defended by a young lieutenant81 named Flint, who had made his way in through the enemy's lines, a few hours before the treacherous82 native officer in command had arranged with Hyder to surrender it, and, taking command, had repulsed83 every attack, and had even made a sortie.
"There was now a long pause. Having no commissariat train, Sir Eyre Coote was forced to make for the seashore, and, though hotly followed by Hyder, reached Cuddalore. A French fleet off the coast, however, prevented provisions being sent to him, and, even after the French had retired, the Madras government were so dilatory84 in forwarding supplies that the army was reduced to the verge85 of starvation.
"It was not until the middle of June that a movement was possible, owing to the want of carriage. The country inland had been swept bare by Hyder, and, on leaving Cuddalore, Sir Eyre Coote was obliged to follow the seacoast. When he arrived at Porto Novo, the army was delighted to find a British fleet there, and scarcely less pleased to hear that Lord Macartney had arrived as governor of Madras.
Plan of the Battle of Porto Novo
1, 2, 3. The enemy's masked batteries, placed to oppose our march to Cuddalore.
4, 5. First and second positions of the English advancing.
6. First English line during the cannondade.
7. Second English line during the cannondade.
8. A chain of Hyder's irregular horse posted as a decoy to the masked batteries.
9. First position of the Mysoreans.
10. Second position of Hyder's infantry, over whom his guns fired from the sand banks.
11. Position of Hyder's horse during the cannonade.
12. Attempt by Hyder's grenadiers to gain the hill.
13. Attempt by Kiram Sahib to charge our line, where he and most of the party were killed.
14. Hyder's station during the action.
15. An armed ship firing upon the enemy.
16. English camp after the battle.
"Hyder's army had taken up a strong position, between the camp and Cuddalore, and Sir Eyre Coote determined to give him battle. Four days' rice was landed from the fleet, and with this scanty86 supply in their knapsacks, the troops marched out to attack Hyder. We formed part of the baggage guard and had, therefore, an excellent opportunity of seeing the fight. The march was by the sea. The infantry moved in order of battle, in two lines. After going for some distance, we could see the enemy's position plainly. It was a very strong one. On its right was high ground, on which were numerous batteries, which would take us in flank as we advanced, and their line extended from these heights to the sand hills by the shore.
"They had thrown up several batteries, and might, for aught we knew, have many guns hidden on the high ground on either flank. An hour was spent in reconnoitring the enemy's position, during which they kept up an incessant cannonade, to which the English field guns attempted no reply. To me, and the officers of this troop, it seemed impossible that any force could advance to the attack of Hyder's position without being literally87 swept away by the crossfire88 that would be opened upon it; but when I expressed my fears, my father said:
"'No; you will see no repetition of that terrible affair with Baillie's column. The English have now got a commander who knows his business, and when that is the case, there is never any fear as to what the result will be. I grant that the lookout89 seems desperate. Hyder has all the advantage of a very strong position, a very powerful artillery90, and has six or seven to one in point of numbers; but for all that, I firmly believe that, before night, you will see us in possession of those hills, and Hyder's army in full flight.'
"Presently, we saw a movement. The two lines of infantry formed into columns, and instead of advancing towards Hyder's position, turned down towards the sea, and marched along between it and the sand hills. We were at the same time set in motion, and kept along between the infantry and the sea, so as to be under their protection, if Hyder's cavalry should sweep down. All his preparations had been made under the supposition that we should advance by the main road to Cuddalore, and this movement entirely disconcerted his plans. The sand hills completely protected our advancing columns, and when they had reached a point almost in line with Hyder's centre, the artillery dashed up to the crest91 of the hills, and the first column passed through a break in them, and moved forward against the enemy, the guns above clearing a way for them.
"A short halt was made, until the artillery of the second line came up, and also took their position on the hill. Then the first column, with its guns, moved forward again.
"Hyder had, in the meantime, moved back his line and batteries into a position at right angles to that they had before occupied, and facing the passage through the sand hills by which the English were advancing. As soon as the column issued from the valley, a tremendous fire was poured upon it, but it again formed into line of battle, and, covered by the fire of the artillery, moved forward.
"It was a grand sight. My father and I had left the baggage, which remained by the sea, and had ridden up on to a sand hill, from which we had a view of the whole of the battleground. It was astonishing to see the line of English infantry advancing, under that tremendous fire, against the rising ground occupied by the dense92 masses of the enemy.
"Presently there was a movement opposite, and a vast body of cavalry moved down the slope. As they came the red English line suddenly broke up, and, as if by magic, a number of small squares, surrounded by glistening93 bayonets, appeared where it had stood.
"Down rode Hyder's cavalry. Every gun on our side was turned upon them. But though we could see the confusion in the ranks, caused by the shot that swept them, they kept on. It seemed that the little red patches must be altogether overwhelmed by the advancing wave. But as it came closer, flashes of fire spurted94 out from the faces of the squares. We could see the horses recoil95 when close to the bayonets, and then the stream poured through the intervals96 between the squares. As they did so, crackling volleys broke out, while from the batteries on the sand hills an incessant fire was kept up upon them. Then, following the volleys, came the incessant rattle97 of musketry. The confusion among the cavalry grew greater and greater. Regiments were mixed up together, and their very numbers impeded98 their action. Many gallant99 fellows, detaching themselves from the mass, rode bravely at the squares, and died on the bayonets; others huddled100 together, confused and helpless against the storm of bullets and shot; and at last, as if with a sudden impulse, they rode off in all directions, and, sweeping101 round, regained102 their position in the rear of their infantry, while loud cheers broke from our side.
"The squares again fell into line, which, advancing steadily103, drove Hyder's infantry before it. As this was going on, a strong force of infantry and cavalry, with guns, was moved round by Hyder to fall on the British rear. These, however, were met by the second line, which had hitherto remained in reserve, and after fierce fighting were driven back along the sand hills. But, as they were retiring, the main body of Hyder's cavalry moved round to support the attack. Fortunately a British schooner104, which had sailed from Porto Novo when the troops started, had anchored near the shore to give what protection she could to the baggage, and now opened fire with her guns upon the cavalry, as they rode along between the sand hills and the sea; and with such effect that they halted and wavered; and when two of the batteries on the sand hills also opened fire upon them, they fell back in haste.
"This was Hyder's last effort. The British line continued to advance, until it had gained all the positions occupied by the enemy, and these were soon in headlong flight; Hyder himself, who had been almost forced by his attendants to leave the ground, being with them. It was a wonderful victory. The English numbered but 8,476 men, of whom 306 were killed or wounded. Hyder's force was about 65,000, and his loss was not less than 10,000.
"The victory had an immense effect in restoring the confidence of the English troops, which had been greatly shaken by the misfortunes caused by the incapacity of Munro and Baillie. But it had no other consequences, for want of carriage, and a deficiency of provisions and equipment, prevented Sir Eyre Coote from taking the offensive, and he was obliged to confine himself to capturing a few forts near the coast.
"On the 27th of August the armies met again, Hyder having chosen the scene of his victory over Baillie's force to give battle, believing the position to be a fortunate one for himself. Hyder had now been joined by Tippoo, who had not been present at the last battle, and his force numbered 80,000 men, while the English were 11,000 strong.
"I did not see the battle, as we were, at the time, occupied in escorting a convoy105 of provisions from Madras. The fight was much better contested than the previous battle had been. Hyder was well acquainted with the ground, and made skilful106 use of his opportunities, by fortifying107 all the points at which he could be attacked. The fight lasted eight hours. At last Sir Eyre Coote's first division turned the enemy's left flank, by the capture of the village of Pillalore; while his second turned their right, and Hyder was obliged to fall back. But this was done in good order, and the enemy claimed that it was a drawn108 battle. This, however, was not the case, as the English, at night, encamped on the position occupied by Hyder in the morning.
"Still, the scandalous mismanagement at Madras continued to cripple us. But, learning from the commandant at Vellore that, unless he were relieved, he would be driven to surrender for want of provisions, Sir Eyre Coote marched to his help. He met the enemy on the way. Hyder was taken by surprise, and was moving off when the English arrived. In order to give his infantry time to march away, he hurled109 the whole of his cavalry against the English. Again and again they charged down, with the greatest bravery, and although the batteries swept their ranks with grape, and the squares received them with deadly volleys, they persevered110 until Tippoo had carried off his infantry and guns; and then, having lost five thousand men, followed him. The English then moved on towards Vellore. Hyder avoided another encounter, and Vellore was relieved. Sir Eyre Coote handed over, to its commandant, almost the whole of the provisions carried by the army, and, having thus supplied the garrison with sufficient food for six weeks, marched back to Madras, his troops suffering greatly from famine on the way.
"Nothing took place during the winter, except that Sir Eyre Coote again advanced and revictualled Vellore. In March a French fleet arrived off the coast, landed a force of three thousand men to assist Hyder, and informed him that a much larger division was on its way. Fortunately, this did not arrive, many of the ships being captured by the English on their way out. In the course of the year there were several fights, but none of any consequence, and things remained in the same state until the end of the year, when, on the 7th of December, Hyder died, and Tippoo was proclaimed his successor.
"Bussy arrived with fresh reinforcements from France in April, and took the command of Hyder's French contingent111, and in June there was a battle between him and a force commanded by General Stuart, the successor to Sir Eyre Coote, who had been obliged to resign from ill health, and who had died in the spring.
"The French position was a very strong one, and was protected by numerous field works. The battle was the most sanguinary fought during the war, considering the numbers engaged. The English carried a portion of the works, and captured fourteen guns, and, as the French retired during the night, were able to claim a victory. Their loss, however, was over a thousand, while that of the French was not more than a third of that number.
"During that year there was little fighting down here. A Bombay force, however, under the command of General Matthews, captured Bednore; but Tippoo hastened against him with a great force, besieged112 Bednore, and forced it to surrender, after a desperate defence. Tippoo violated the terms of capitulation, and made the defenders113 prisoners. Bangalore was next besieged by him, but resisted for nearly nine months, and only surrendered in January, 1784.
"Tippoo had, by this time, lost the services of his French auxiliaries114, as England and France had made peace at home. Negotiations between Tippoo and the English went on till March, when a treaty was signed. By its provisions, Tippoo should have handed back all his prisoners. He murdered large numbers of them, but 1000 British soldiers, and 1600 Sepoys obtained their liberty. No one knows how many were retained of the number, calculated at 200,000, of natives carried off from the countries overrun by Hyder's troops. Only 2000 were released.
"More British would doubtless have been freed, had it not been for the scandalous cowardice115 of the three men sent up, as British commissioners116, to Tippoo. They were treated with the greatest insult and contempt by him, and, in fear of their lives, were too glad to accept the prisoners he chose to hand over, without troubling themselves in the slightest about the rest, whom they basely deserted117 and left to their fate."
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1
slabs
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| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
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2
divan
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| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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divans
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| n.（可作床用的）矮沙发( divan的名词复数 )；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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5
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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filigree
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| n.金银丝做的工艺品；v.用金银细丝饰品装饰；用华而不实的饰品装饰；adj.金银细丝工艺的 | |
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7
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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8
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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9
clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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10
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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11
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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12
instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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13
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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14
fodder
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| n.草料；炮灰 | |
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15
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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17
bridled
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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18
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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19
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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20
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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21
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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22
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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23
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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24
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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25
dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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26
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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27
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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29
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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30
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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31
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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32
intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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33
remonstrate
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| v.抗议，规劝 | |
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34
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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35
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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36
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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37
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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38
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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39
retaliate
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| v.报复，反击 | |
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40
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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41
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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42
Undid
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| v. 解开, 复原 | |
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43
censured
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| v.指责，非难，谴责( censure的过去式 ) | |
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44
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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45
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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46
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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47
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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48
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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49
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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50
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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51
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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52
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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53
devastating
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| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
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54
slaughtering
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的现在分词 ) | |
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55
garrisons
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| 守备部队，卫戍部队( garrison的名词复数 ) | |
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56
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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57
reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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58
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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59
devastation
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| n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤 | |
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60
hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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61
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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62
swoop
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| n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击 | |
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63
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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64
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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65
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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66
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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67
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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68
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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69
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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70
mowed
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| v.刈，割( mow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
relentlessly
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| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
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73
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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74
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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75
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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76
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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77
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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78
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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79
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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80
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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81
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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82
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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83
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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84
dilatory
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| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
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85
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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86
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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87
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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88
crossfire
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| n.被卷进争端 | |
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89
lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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90
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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91
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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92
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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93
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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94
spurted
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| （液体，火焰等）喷出，（使）涌出( spurt的过去式和过去分词 )； （短暂地）加速前进，冲刺 | |
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95
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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96
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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97
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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98
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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99
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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100
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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101
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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102
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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103
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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104
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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105
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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106
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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107
fortifying
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| 筑防御工事于( fortify的现在分词 )； 筑堡于； 增强； 强化（食品） | |
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108
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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109
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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110
persevered
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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111
contingent
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| adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队 | |
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112
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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114
auxiliaries
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| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
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115
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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116
commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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117
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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