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CHAPTER IX.

Military operations continued.-Mr. Thomas compelled to retreat.-Diftrefs of the army.-Peace concluded.-Mr. Thomas marches against the rajah of Beykaneer.-Geographical defcription of that country-of the Lackhi Jungle.Military operations.-Mr. Thomas enters inta engagements with Ambajee.

N the enfuing morning, Mr. Thomas no

ON

tified to the enemy's general that he might fend proper perfons to bury the dead, and carry away the wounded men without interruption on his part. This civility was received with attention, accompanied at the fame time with a requeft to treat for peace.

Vavon Row, as a previous ftipulation, infisted on the payment of a large fum of money to indemnify him for loffes fuftained during the campaign. To this the other objected, upon the principle of not being authorised by the

rajah of Jypoor to difburfe fo large a fum without further orders. On receiving this answer, Mr. Thomas, fufpecting that the enemy only waited for time to procure a reinforcement, recommended to Vavon Row the prosecution of hoftilities. That chief was averse to the propofal, as he deemed the performance of mamla, or agreement, preferable to the hazard and risk of a fecond engagement, and therefore he overruled Mr. Thomas's objections. The negotiations for peace were therefore broken off. The enemy, having collected the fcattered remains of their forces, took poft on their former ground. In the mean time letters from Scindiah arrived, requesting Vavon Row to defift from hoftilities against the troops of Jypoor. Others of fimilar import came from Mr. Perron, who had lately fucceeded General Duboigne in the chief command of Scindiah's forces.

The enemy now of their own accord offered to pay the fum of fifty thoufand rupees, which being most unaccountably rejected, Vavon Row had much reason to repent. During the late negotiations confiderable reinforcements had arrived in the Jypoor camp, and hoftilities re

commenced with redoubled vigour on both fides.

Mr. Thomas's troops from a want of forage, which they were obliged to collect from a distance of twenty miles from the camp, fuftained much inconvenience. In attempts to bring it in they were moreover haraffed by detached parties of the enemy; and to complete their diftrefs, the rajah of Beykaneer had by this time reinforced the Jypore army with five thousand men. The Mahrattas in Mr. Thomas's camp, wholly useless, were fit only to plunder and destroy the unrefifting peasantry. Thus fituated, and forage continuing to de creafe, a council of war was held between Vavon Row, Mr. Thomas, and the other commanders, in which it was unanimously agreed to attempt a retreat to their own country.

Agreeably to this refolution, the next morning before day-break, the troops began to file off, but were scarcely got in motion when the enemy's whole force came up to the attack. While it continued dark, great confufion prevailed; but on the appearance of day-light, Mr.

Thomas, having formed his men, compelled the enemy to retreat with great lofs.

They still continued to hang on his rear, and annoy him with the fire of artillery, affisted by an immenfe quantity of rockets. From the rapidity of his march the enemy's heavy guns were foon obliged to remain behind, and the rocket and the matchlock men alone continued thepurfuit. The day was intenfely hot, and the troops fuffered feverely from a total want of water; this cause, however, operating in a fimilar manner upon the enemy, prevented the execution of their plans. The fervice was fevere, and in the highest degree fatiguing; at length after a toilfome march, Mr. Thomas arrived in the evening at a village, where he fortunately met with two wells, containing plenty of excel, lent water. His men, eager to catch a refreshing draught, crowded fo faft upon each other that two fell into the well, by which accident one of them was inftantly fuffocated, and the other with much difficulty brought out alive. Care was now taken to prevent a renewal of fimilar accidents, by ftationing an armed force to protect the well, till by degrees most of the troops

having received a small supply, the confufion ceased, and order was reftored in the camp.

The enemy ftill followed in the rear, and encamped within two cofs. Mr. Thomas determined to renew the attack the enfuing day.

Mr. Thomas, perceiving that his men had loft their accustomed fpirits, to encourage them marched himself, on foot, at their head, during the whole of the enfuing day.

The enemy frequently appearing inclined to charge, Mr. Thomas directed the commandant of artillery to keep up a conftant fire in the rear. This, in fome degree checked their ardour, and afforded an opportunity to his own troops to move on. After a fecond day's march, attended by circumstances of distress fimilar to the preceding one, though with confiderable lofs to the enemy, Mr. Thomas arrived at a large town; in the neighbourhood of which he was gratified with the fight of an ample supply of water, from five wells.

Here the enemy defifting from the pursuit,

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