again under arms, and sent Clive forward to
reconnoitre. He found the French infantry drawn up, with twenty-two
guns, with large bodies of cavalry on either flank. Opposite to the
centre of their position was a large caravansary, or native inn, with
stone buildings attached. It was nearer to their position than to that
occupied by the English, and Clive saw at once that, if seized and
held by the enemy's artillery, it would sweep the whole ground over
which the English would have to advance.

He galloped back at full speed to Major Lawrence, and asked leave at
once to occupy the building. Obtaining permission, he advanced with
all speed to the caravansary, with some guns and infantry.

The negligence of the French, in allowing this movement to be carried
out, was fatal to them. The English artillery opened upon them from
the cover of the inn and buildings, and to this fire the French in the
open could reply only at a great disadvantage. After a cannonade
lasting half an hour, the French, having lost forty European and three
hundred native soldiers, fell back; the English having lost only
twenty-one.

Disheartened at this result, utterly disappointed at the failure which
had attended his long operations against Trichinopoli, without energy
or decision, Law at once raised the siege of the town, abandoning a
great portion of his baggage; and, destroying great stores of
ammunition and supplies, crossed an arm of the Kavari and took post in
the great fortified temple of Seringam.

The delight of the troops; so long besieged in Trichinopoli; inactive,
dispirited, and hopeless, was extreme; and the exultation of Muhammud
Ali and his native allies was no less.

Captain Cope, towards the end of the siege, had been killed, in one of
the little skirmishes which occasionally took place with the French.

Charlie Marryat and Peters had, owing to some of the officers senior
to them being killed or invalided, and to large numbers of fresh
recruits being raised, received a step in rank. They were now
lieutenants, and each commanded a body of Sepoys, two hundred strong.
At Charlie's request, Tim Kelly was detached from his company, and
allowed to remain with him as soldier servant. After the retreat of
the French, and the settling down of the English force in the lines
they had occupied, Charlie and his friend entered Trichinopoli, and
were surprised at the temples and palaces there. Although very
inferior to Tanjore, and in no w