k the fort of Vellore, which was
regarded as impregnable. The town lay at the foot of some very steep
and rugged hills, which were surmounted by three detached forts. The
rajah, encouraged by the French, had renounced his allegiance to
Muhammud Ali, and had declared himself independent. As, however, it
was certain that he was prepared to give assistance to the French,
when they took the field against the English, Charlie determined to
attack the place.

The French had received large reinforcements, and had already captured
many forts and strong places, around Pondicherry. They were, however,
awaiting the arrival of still larger forces, known to be on the way,
before they made a decisive and, as they hoped, final attack upon the
English.

The rajah's army consisted of some fifteen hundred infantry, and as
many cavalry. These advanced to meet the English force. Charlie
feigned a retreat, as they came on; and retired to a village, some
thirty miles distant. The cavalry pursued at full speed, leaving the
infantry behind.

Upon reaching the village, Charlie at once dismounted all his men,
lined the inclosures, and received the enemy's cavalry, as they
galloped up, with so heavy a fire that they speedily drew rein. After
trying for some time to force the position, they began to fall back;
and the English force again mounted, dashed upon them, and completed
their defeat. The broken horsemen, as they rode across the plain, met
their infantry advancing; and these, disheartened at the defeat of the
cavalry, fell back in great haste; and, abandoning the town, which was
without fortification, retired at once to the forts commanding it.

Charlie took possession of the town, and spent the next two days in
reconnoitering the forts. The largest, and nearest, of these faced the
right of the town. It was called Suzarow. The second, on an even
steeper hill, was called Guzarow. The third, which lay some distance
behind this, and was much smaller, was called Mortz Azur.

Charlie determined to attempt, in the first place, to carry Guzarow;
as in this, which was considered the most inaccessible, the rajah
himself had taken up his position, having with him all his treasure.
Charlie saw that it would be next to impossible, with so small a
force, to carry it by a direct attack, by the road which led to it, as
this was completely covered by its guns. It appeared to him, however,
that the rocks upon which it stood were, by no means, inaccess