the principal commanders of the enemy narrowly escaped being made prifoners in an attempt to surprise his camp.

Warned at length by experience that nothing was to be gained by thefe defultory attacks, and that Mr. Thomas ftrenuously perfevered in his fyftem of keeping close within his lines, they endeavoured to effect by corrupt and treacherous means, what they had vainly hoped to accomplish by open and manly warfare.

It must here be remarked, that the families of feveral of Mr. Thomas's officers refided within Mr. Perron's diftricts. He, in order to avail himself of their dependant fituation, and accelerate Mr. Thomas's ruin, had, at the commencement of hoftilities, placed a guard over their refpective houfes. Among the principal were the families of Shah Tab Khawn and Khirrate Khawn, the former a collector of Mr. Thomas's revenue, and the latter the commandant of his firft matchlock regiment.

These men, who had been at firft confined

by Mr. Perron, were afterwards liberated and fent for by him to the fort of Coel, his place of refidence.

He there, by present bribes and ftill larger promises of reward in future, perfuaded them to join in effecting the ruin of their principal. The ungrateful men, although they had on various occafions experienced the greatest proofs of kindness and benevolence from Mr. Thomas, and whom he had raised from low fituations in his army to authority and command, fcrupled not to defert him in the hour of his distress, and to join with his enemies in hastening his downfal.

Their opportunities to effect this were too favourable. Shah Tab Khan, who commanded in the fort of George Ghur, had caufed fome ftacks of hay within the fort, which formed the chief fupport of his cattle, to be treache rously set on fire. The small supply of grain alfo, which now conftituted the fupport of the garrifon, was privately made away with by means equally nefarious.

Not content with the effect already produced on the minds of Mr. Thomas's people. by circumstances fo untoward, thefe perfidious men were constantly inftilling into the minds of the troops the periloufnefs of their fituation, and apparent impoffibility of ever extricating themfelves, except by fubmiffion to the enemy and uniting with them. Of these treacherous defigns Mr. Thomas was not informed until it was too late to fruftrate their effect by any exertions on his part. Luck wah, whom he impatiently expected, did not arrive; and other chiefs who had promifed their affiftance, not only withheld it, but actually joined this enemies. About this time, likewife, Colonel Heffing, the commandant of Agra, arrived, and added himself to the number of Mr. Thomas's foes.

Several of his officers, whofe habitations were in Mr. Perron's diftricts, deferted from his camp. His cattle were either killed or disabled, his grain had failed, and his ammunition fell fhort. With the utmoft exertion he was scarcely able to procure grain by detaching parties fecretly at night, who brought

him in a scanty supply in the morning, though not without frequent diminution of his small force in cavalry.

In this diftrefs Mr. Thomas had no refource but either to attack the enemy by night, to fally forth and try the event of a contest in the day, or, attended by his cavalry, to attempt his retreat, leaving the infantry to make the best terms they could with the enemy.

After mature deliberation, he refolved to attack the enemy, and force his way to Hanfi, which if he could reach in fafety, he hoped to be able to continue his refiftance with effect, until affiftance fhould arrive from Luckwah.

He accordingly gave the neceffary directions for carrying this refolution into effect: but his people, fufpecting his intention of returning to Hanfi, now began to pack up their baggage and openly to defert the camp.

On receiving intimation of this defign, Mr. Thomas affembled the officers, and enquired of them the caufe of this commotion. He was

informed that no reliance could be placed on the foldiers, who, disheartened at their fituation and the diftrefs they daily endured, would no longer remain with their colours.

To quiet their apprehenfions, and restore confidence with regard to his fuppofed march to Hanfi, Mr. Thomas himself remained within the lines; and to encourage the drooping fpirit of his people gave orders for an attack to be made on one of the enemy's advanced posts, which from its fituation appeared easy to be taken.

At this moment a difficulty arofe regarding the bullock-drivers, who had deferted the camp. Some fepoys however, encouraged by the promife of liberal reward, undertook the office, and a felect detachment quitted the camp.

But whether from being infected with the general depreffion of fpirits that prevailed throughout the troops, or that they were really unfit for the occupation, the fepoys conducted themselves in fo aukward a manner, and made fo little exertion in getting on the guns, that