ack so strong a force.

Conflans' easy success over the Sepoys was fatal to him. Believing
that he had defeated the English, he gave orders to several companies
of the French troops to press on in pursuit, without delay. They
started off in hot speed, proceeding without much order or regularity,
when they were suddenly confronted by the whole line of English
troops, in solid order, advancing from the high corn to take the place
lately occupied by the Sepoys. In vain, the scattered and surprised
companies of the French endeavoured to reform, and make head against
them. So heavy was the fire of musketry opened by the British line,
immediately they had taken up their position, that the French broke
their ranks, and ran back as fast as they could to regain their guns,
which were fully half a mile in the rear.

In the meantime, the French Sepoys on their left had been gradually
driving back the English right; but Forde, disregarding this, pressed
forward in hot pursuit of the French with his English, behind whom the
greater portion of the beaten Sepoys had already rallied. Keeping his
men well together, he advanced at the fullest speed, following so
closely upon the enemy that the latter had only time to fire one or
two rounds, with their thirteen guns, before the English were upon
them. The French, who had already lost heart by the serious check
which had befallen them, were unable to stand the shock, and at once
retreated, leaving their guns behind them.

As Forde had anticipated, the French Sepoys, seeing their centre and
right defeated, desisted from their attack on the English right, and
fell back upon their camp. The English Sepoys at once marched forward,
and joined Forde's force. The rajah's troops, however, the whole of
whom had fled, remained cowering in the shelter of a large dry tank.

Forde did not wait for them; but, leaving his guns behind him, pressed
forward, an hour after the defeat of the French, against their camp.
To reach this, he had to pass along a narrow valley, commanded by the
French heavy guns. These opened fire, but the English pressed forward
without wavering. The defenders, not yet recovered from the effects of
their defeat in the plain, at once gave way, and retreated in the
utmost confusion towards Rajahmahendri. Had the cavalry of Anandraz
been at hand to follow up the advantage, great numbers might have been
captured. As it was, Charlie Marryat, with his little force, harassed
them for