and the remaining fix annas to be sent to his own treasury.

Vavon Row, on receipt of the above order, wrote preffing letters to Mr. Thomas, inviting him to join in the proposed expedition; but he, though willing to make a temporary incurfion to Jypore to obtain present relief to his neceffities, was by no means inclined to go the lengths proposed, and at first from prudential motives declined the offer.

Mr. Thomas moreover was not ignorant that the fubfiftence of fo large a body of troops on an expedition like the present, could only be obtained by a full treafury, and his own refources were at prefent dried up. That the numerous cavalry which the Jypore rajah could bring into the field would very much impede their efforts in procuring the neceffary fupplies of forage and provifions; and that without thefe aids the fuccefs of the expedition would be very doubtful; and finally, he remarked to Vavon Row, that even if fuccefs attended their arms the rajah would never pay to them the

fum fpecified, but would refer the matter to Luckwah himself, whereby they would lofe the fruits of their labours. These fuggeftions, however falutary in their defign, could not perfuade Vavon Row to give up his scheme, or convince him that their united force was incompetent to the present contest.

That chief now fent his vakeel to Mr. Thomas, promising him a fum of money, of which he stood in great need, for the proffered affiftance, and he at length closed with the propofal.

His force at this time confifted of three battalions of four hundred men each, with fourteen pieces of artillery, ninety horfe, three hundred Rohillas, and two hundred of the peasantry of Hurrianah, with which he joined Vavon Row at Kanond.

That chief had himself one battalion of infantry, four pieces of artillery, nine hundred cavalry, and fix hundred irregulars. With this force they commenced their march towards Jypore. On entering the country, a party of

the Rajah's troops ftationed to collect the revenues retreated; when the chief of the district fent vakeels into Mr. Thomas's camp, who agreed to the payment of the two years' tribute which had been named by Luckwah.

The offer was accepted, and the troops marching forward compelled feveral others to fubmit to fimilar exactions. For near a month the united armies continued their progrefs without interruption; but the rajah of Jypore, who had in the interim been collecting his troops, now marched to the relief of his poffef fions, with a resolution to punish the invaders, and revenge the infult he had sustained, by giving battle wherever he should meet with his enemies. The army thus collected, amounted to forty thousand men, with which the rajah marched against Mr. Thomas and Vavon Row, who, not having yet got poffeffion of any place from whence a supply of grain could be drawn, became fenfible of their error, and were reduced to a fituation truly hazardous. Vavon Row deeming it impoffible to encounter fo large a force, now acquainted Mr. Thomas that he muft rely on his own exertions; that from

the numbers and acknowledged bravery of the enemy, who were chiefly Rajpoots, there could exist but small hope of success in risking an engagement, and for thefe confiderations advised Mr. Thomas to retreat. To combat these arguments, and frustrate a design so pufillanimous in its nature, Mr. Thomas reminded Vavon Row of his hafty and inconfiderate conduct in leading them into their prefent exigency, that there existed no caufe to prevent at least one trial of ftrength, their own troops being faithful to them, and in high fpirit to engage; that moreover, to think of a retreat on the present occafion, without an exertion on their part, would be a difhonour to himself and his progenitors, who never turned their backs on an enemy; and finally obferved, that if Vavon Row now receded, he never could again expect to be employed by Scindiah, or any other chief under his authority. Thefe arguments combined at length made an impreffion on the mind of Vavon Row, and he agreed to risk an engagement.

With this determination, they marched forthwith to the city of Futtahpore, in which

they expected to meet with a fupply of grain fufficient for the confumption of their troops; but on their arrival the inhabitants, who had received intimation of their approach, were bufily employed in filling up the wells in the neighbourhood, in order to distress the troops for water. They had nearly completed this defign, only one remaining open, when Mr. Thomas arrived.

The poffeffion of this remaining well now became the object of contention betwixt Mr. Thomas and a body of four hundred men who had been detached from the city for the express purpose of filling it up. Mr. Thomas, who perceived no time was to be loft, ordered his cavalry to charge. The action was at first obftinate; but two of the enemy's firdars being killed, the reft retreated, and the well was happily preferved. This was of great importance, as except in this fingle fupply no water was to be procured but from a confiderable diftance.

The fervice on this day was uncommonly fevere, as Mr. Thomas had completed a march of five-and-twenty miles over a deep fand,