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In his route, the fmall villages were found to be deferted and the large ones increased with numbers of armed perfons. By this time, Mr. Thomas's troops, thinned by frequent defertions, amounted only to 300 men; but these, had they been foldiers accuftomed to discipline, would ftill have been fufficient to answer the purpose of completing the reduction of the rebellious Zemindars.

Arriving at Mundaka, the Zemindars of which place had been the original cause of the misunderstanding betwixt Appakandarow and Mr. Thomas, were found ready for the combat; Mr. Thomas therefore, though with a force fo inconfiderable, hefitated not in making an immediate attack: in this he was fuccefsful, and having defeated the enemy, he found in the place plunder to the amount of four thoufand rupees.

During these transactions, the Begum Sumroo, and the Mahratta governor of Delhi,

jealous of the afcendancy Mr. Thomas had acquired, fent a force to watch his motions: for the present he thought the most prudent method to efcape obfervation would be by removing to a diftance, and his new levies being now complete, he marched directly back to the town of Tejára.

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At this place Mr. Thomas received a letter from Appakandarow, who was ftill detained in the fort of Kotepootly by the mutinous state of his troops. His fituation had been rendered thus unpleasant by the intrigues of Gopaul Row, Scindia's commander in chief. That chief had written letters to the principal firdars in the army, promifing them payment of their arrears provided they would deliver up Appa as a prifoner. He further obferved, that he had but too much reafon to imagine the firdars would yield a ready acquiefcence to this offer, that, diftreffed for provifions, and having his family with him, if Mr. Thomas could not come to his affiftance, he must ultimately be compelled to throw himself on the mercy of

his enemies.

On receipt of this letter, although it rained heavily and the day was far advanced, Mr. Thomas, without hesitation, fet off: he marched all that night and the beft part of the enfuing day and night through a conftant and heavy rain. About two o'clock in the morning he arrived at the fort of Kotepootly. The inceffant rain prevented his having any oppofition from the enemy without, and he encamped under the walls of the fort. The communication was thus happily opened, and provifions being fent in, plenty fucceeded to the scarcity before experienced.

Mr. Thomas, aware that the force of the mutineers would daily become augmented, recommended to Appakandarow to evacuate the fort, and retreat to Kanoond. In the mean time he advised that letters should be written to Scindia, to deprecate the refentment of that chief. Approving of Mr. Thomas's proposal, Appakandarow appointed the enfuing day for the accomplishment of his purpose, and the business was conducted with fo much fecrefy and addrefs, that until the moment of departure every one seemed ignorant of the intend

ed movement. At the appointed hour, Appakandarow, attended by a few perfons who ftill adhered to him, came out of the fort of Kotepootly with his family and effects; he was received by Mr. Thomas, and placed in the centre of a strong detachment, who formed around him, and commenced their march.

In order to protect the baggage, Mr. Thomas, with the remainder of his force, remained behind for a fhort time, but the enemy now appearing prepared to pursue the detachment with determination to refcue Appakandarow, Mr. Thomas, without further delay, joined that chief. They had not proceeded far when the van of the enemy made their appearance: Mr. Thomas, as the only means of inspiring confidence, recommended to Appakandarow to mount an elephant, and fhew himself to the troops. The meafure was inftantly adopted, and attended with the happieft effect; for the enemy perceiving this refolute conduct thought it most prudent to retire, and Mr. Thomas, without further oppofition, conducted his chief in fafety to Kanoond. Appakandarow, released from his embarrassment, was defirous of making

a grateful return for the fervices that had been rendered. He adopted Mr. Thomas as his fon, prefented him with the fum of three thousand rupees to purchase an elephant and palankeen fuitable to the dignity of his station, ordered him to encrease his force two hundred infantry and as many cavalry; and finally, made over to him, in perpetuity, the districts of Jyjur, Byrce, Mandoté, and Phatoda, which yield an annual revenue of a lack and fifty thousand rupees.

He was then difmiffed by Appakandarow, and directed to complete the arrangement of the rcmaining districts in the Mewatty country.

This was become more neceffary; a principal Zemindar, by name Gunga Bithen, and of the tribe called Aheer,* had not only openly rebelled, but had made offers to Gopaul Row of furrendering up the district to Scindia; as an additional inducement for his acceptance,

* This tribe can bring into the field a body of fourteen thousand men.

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