india, determined to destroy the family and adherents of Purseram
Bhow. Appa Sahib, Purseram's son, had succeeded him in the command
of the army besieging Kolapoore and, receiving intelligence of the
conspiracy against him, raised the siege and retired to the
Carnatic, and Scindia plundered the whole of Purseram's villages.

A fierce chief in Dhoondia invaded the newly-acquired territories
of the British, and Major General Wellesley was sent against him,
and totally routed his party.

Jeswunt Holkar was now becoming extremely dangerous; and Scindia
was at last obliged to march away, with his army, to defend his own
dominions. He left behind him five battalions of regular infantry,
and ten thousand horse and, before he set out, compelled the
Peishwa to give him gold to the amount of forty-seven lakhs of
rupees.

On his way through Malwan, he sent seven of his regular battalions
to protect his capital. One column, under Captain Mackintyre, was
intercepted on the way, and all killed or made prisoners. Holkar
then fell upon the other party, which he also overpowered and
defeated. He next attacked Scindia's artillery on the march; but
Major Brownrigg, an officer in the latter's service, with four
battalions, repulsed his assailants.

The Peishwa, while this was going on, was mercilessly murdering or
imprisoning those whom he considered his enemies; and ordered
Wittoojee Holkar, the brother of Jeswunt, to be trampled to death
by an elephant.

Scindia having sent for Ghatgay to rejoin him, Jeswunt advanced to
meet him, and was signally defeated. He speedily gathered a fresh
force, and wasted not only Scindia's country but that of the
Peishwa; and finally a great battle was fought, near Poona, in
which Holkar, thanks to his fourteen regular battalions, officered
by Englishmen, won a complete victory over the Peishwa's force and
that left behind by Scindia. The Peishwa was forced to fly, and
take refuge at Bassein, where he entered into negotiations for
British support.

Chapter 10: A Mission By Sea.

A Fortnight after Harry's return, he was again sent for by Lord
Mornington.

"Captain Lindsay, I am about to employ you on a mission of a
somewhat delicate character. There have been many complaints that
ships trading among the islands have been attacked and, in some
cases, captured and the crews massacred, by Malays. We recently
received a communication from a native chief, or rajah, who owns
the southern point