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ment to his no fmall furprife, that chief peared in perfect health, but of this Mr. Thomas took no notice. The difcourfe concerning the Bramin was renewed; and shortly after Appa rifing from his feat, told Mr. Thomas he intended taking a flight repaft, and would then return. Scarcely had he quitted the room in which they fat before Mr. Thomas was furprised by the appearance of feveral armed men. He now began to fufpect fome treacherous attempt against his perfon might be intended; but with that prefence of mind which on trying occafions never forfook him, he continued firm on his feat, convinced that if on this occafion he had retired it would have afforded matter of triumph to his enemies.

In this fituation he remained until Appa returned to an adjoining room; from thence he fent Mr. Thomas a written order immediately to deliver up the perfons in question. Mr. Thomas perceiving matters were advancing to a crifis, and preferring death to dishonour, rofe from his feat, and refolutely told the person who had delivered the order that he would never perform what was now required; with

out further difcuffion he entered the apartment of Appa, his fword being in his hand, but as yet undrawn: the Mahratta chief, on Mr. Thomas's approach, appeared hesitating, and as if he was uncertain how to act; Mr. Thomas perceiving his confusion took this opportunity of paying him the customary compliment, and retiring unmolefted, though fully determined. to vifit him no more.

On his arrival in the camp, Mr. Thomas difpatched his Dewan to Appakandarow with the following meffage :-" That compelled by

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a just indignation against the treachery of his "proceeding, he would no longer ferve him." In making this declaration, Mr. Thomas had the fatisfaction to find he was fupported by the troops; who, fired at the infult offered to a man whom they fo highly respected, had declared with unanimous consent that they would remain no longer in the fervice of Appakandarow. Intimidated by this fpirited refolution, Appa now wished to compromise the matter : he fent excufes to Mr. Thomas in mitigation. of his treachery, and to ensure confidence came the next day in perfon to the camp. Willing

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to forget the paft, Mr. Thomas received his chief with refpect; and matters having once more been placed on an amicable footing, Appa told Mr. Thomas that he had received letters from Bappoo Farnevefe, requesting the delivery of the perfons who had occafioned the differences, as a perfonal favour to himself. They were accordingly fent off to Muttra in the manner proposed.

Mr. Thomas was now directed to repair to the Mewatty country, to collect the tribute that had become due. Taking leave of Appa, he in a few days arrived at Mewat ; his prefence at this juncture was the more neceffary, perpetual quarrels having arisen between the collectors of Appakandarow and those who had been recently nominated by the Mahratta commanders. Mr. Thomas, however, by his active and spirited conduct on this occasion, by punishing fome and conciliating others, at last brought matters into a favourable train of fettlement. In the course of these transactions he had been under the neceffity of taking one of the forts by storm, in which were found several pieces of artillery, and an abundant supply of bullocks

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and other carriage-cattle.

Appakandarow,

hearing of this capture, claimed as his right the artillery that had been found in the fort. Mr. Thomas as ftrenuously infifted on its being the property of the captors. Repeated altercations enfued, till at length Appakandarow having fecretly gained over a body of Ghoffeins, who were proceeding to their annual pilgrimage at Hurdwar, inftigated them to the attack of Mr. Thomas's camp.

CHAPTER III.

Defcriptive account of the Hurdwar, and of the annual pilgrimage-Mr. Thomas defeats the Ghoffeins-the diftricts of Panniput and Soneput are added to Mr. Thomas's poffeffions account of the city of Panniput, and of the canal of Ali Merdan Khan.

TH

HE mountains through which the Ganges flows at Hurdwar, prefent the spectator with the view of a grand natural amphitheatre; their appearance is rugged, and destitute of verdure; they run in ridges and blunt points, in a direction eaft and weft; at the back of the largest range, rife, towering to the clouds, the lofty mountains of Himmalayah, whose tops are covered with perpetual snow, which on clear days prefent a most fublime profpect. The large jagged maffes, broken into a variety of irregular shapes, added to their ftupendous height, imprefs the mind with an idea of antiquity and grandeur coeval

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