Chapter V: Part 5

While prosecuting this dangerous journey, the author, on a detached
paper, observes as follows: This day a circumstance took place, that
may be worth recording. In passing through one of the jungles, which
are very common in many parts of this country, we were all on the
alert, all eye, all ear, wild beasts of different descriptions
abounding in these recesses. We were not annoyed, however, by any of
them, but we were much alarmed by the sudden appearance of a
tremendous snake, which was, as nearly as we could judge, about eleven
or twelve feet in length. It passed near my path; and if I ever gave a
hearty spring, it was at that moment. It soon got into a hole, all but
about three feet of its tail, which we destroyed with the but-ends of
our firelocks.

Footnote 26:

A kind of split pea.

Footnote 27:

Buffaloes’ butter, which is always in a liquid state, owing to the
heat.

Footnote 28:

The three articles prepared together.

Footnote 29:

It was Purso Rhamboo, field-chief of the Mahrattas, to whose camp we
were directing our course. The moment they heard this, there was a
visible change in their conduct, for he was a mighty man amongst them!

Footnote 30:

A place set apart for the use of travellers.

Footnote 31:

There were very few surviving at this time; and although his
lordship’s humanity ought ever to be remembered in this case, yet we
well knew, or guessed, that he would never have any delivered to him.
Neither had he. There were none, who had been prisoners, that ever
reached the English, unless by making their escape; except two
officers, who were detained, contrary to the capitulation, at
Coimbatam. These were loaded with presents, and liberated, when the
capital was in danger, in order to pave the way for future overtures.—
They were fortunate indeed!

Footnote 32:

Abdul Kallick the eldest, and Masza ud Dieu the youngest; the former
very dark, the latter very fair and personable. The eldest, I well
remember, while at Seringapatam, once ordered one of our lads, whose
name was Kelly, to be bound with his hands behind him; this being
done, he was hoisted by a pulley a yard from the ground, and in this
condition severely beaten. And all this, because Kelly would not sing
and dance in the English manner, for him to laugh at. We felt for poor
Kelly at the time, but it was the subject of mirth among us
afterwards. He was a curiously grown Irish lad, and could not talk
much English; and as to dancing and singing, he knew as much about it
as a Hottentot.

Footnote 33:

This was a most tremendous night! Tippoo had taken a position on the
north bank of the river, with his front and his flanks covered by a
bound hedge, and a number of ravines, swamps, and water-courses; he
was likewise fortified by a chain of redoubts, full of cannon, as well
as by the artillery of the fort, and of the works of the island: under
those circumstances, strong as they were, Lord Cornwallis was
determined to attack him. Accordingly, he marshalled his own army in
three divisions, omitting to employ the allies in this affair, as he
thought them unequal to the arduous task, and leaving his cannon
behind him in the camp, with two battalions to guard them. As soon as
it was dark, the division pushed on, under the command of this humane
and brave general; but the guides, either through ignorance or design,
leading the division commanded by General Meadows astray, he did not
participate in the glories of the night, so called, at which I have no
doubt he was much mortified, as he was very courageous. The night was
dark, and the allies were on the alert, expecting the total overthrow
of the English. Tens of thousands were spectators, both from the
Mahratta and the Nizam’s army; and they all supposed it impossible for
any troops in the world to stand against the heavy and tremendous fire
that was opened in every direction; but such was the case. The morning
shewed the allies that the English had not only defeated them in their
camp, taking seventy pieces of cannon, &c. but were absolutely
possessed of most part of the suburbs of the island. This looked like
magic to the allies, and highly aggrandized the arms of the English in
their estimation. It must have been an awfully sublime scene; and it
is my humble opinion, that had Lord Cornwallis been repulsed, not an
individual of the allies would have been found in their position by
twelve o’clock the next day.

Footnote 34:

A pagoda varies in value in different parts and times, from seven
shillings and five pence, to eight shillings and five pence. A rupee
also varies from one shilling and four pence, to two shillings and
three pence, sterling, A lack is one hundred thousand.

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Transcriber’s note:

Variations in spelling have been retained.

Page 96, full stop inserted after ‘fell,’ “hand before he fell.”

Page 118, ‘possiblity’ changed to ‘possibility,’ “was no possibility of”

Page 125, full stop deleted after ‘Native,’ “a Fanatical Native—Visited”

Page 176, ‘pady’ changed to ‘paddy,’ “to a paddy, or rice”

Page 218, full stop deleted after ‘City,’ “in the City—Many of”

Page 230, closing quote inserted after ‘beauty,’ “in form and beauty.””