d marched away to his own country; Forde,
disgusted with his conduct throughout the campaign, making no effort
whatever to retain him.

When Salabut Jung heard that the French had sailed away to
Pondicherry, he felt that his prospects of retaking the town were
small; and, at the same time receiving news that his own dominions
were threatened by an enemy, he concluded a treaty with Forde,
granting Masulipatam and the Northern Sirkars to the English, and
agreeing never again to allow any French troops to enter his
dominions. He then marched back to his own country.

Colonel Forde sailed with a portion of the force to Calcutta, where he
shortly afterwards commanded at the battle of Chinsurah, where the
Dutch, who had made vast preparations to dispute the supremacy of the
English, were completely defeated; and thenceforth they, as well as
the French, sunk to the rank of small trading colonies under British
protection, in Bengal.

Charlie returned to Madras, and journeying up the country he joined
the main body of his troop, under Peters. They had been engaged in
several dashing expeditions, and had rendered great service; but they
had been reduced in numbers, by action and sickness; and the whole
force, when reunited, only numbered eighty sabres--Lieutenant Hallowes
being killed. Peters had been twice wounded. The two friends were
greatly pleased to meet again, and had much to tell each other of
their adventures, since they parted.

The next morning, a deputation of four of the men waited upon Charlie.
They said that, from their share of the booty of the various places
they had taken, all were now possessed of sums sufficient, in India,
to enable them to live in comfort for the rest of their lives. They
hoped, therefore, that Charlie would ask the authorities at Madras to
disband the corps, and allow them to return home. Their commander,
however, pointed out to them that the position was still a critical
one; that the French possessed a very powerful army at Pondicherry,
which would shortly take the field; and that the English would need
every one of their soldiers, to meet the storm. If victorious, there
could be no doubt that a final blow would be dealt to French
influence, and that the Company would then be able to reduce its
forces. A few months would settle the event, and it would, he knew, be
useless to apply for their discharge before that time. He thought he
could promise them, however, that by the end of the y