Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/109

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Book VI.
The Decan.
103

Cawn, the governor of Chioacole, who, although raised by Mr.Bussy to this post, from the command of a company of Sepoys, disavowed the French authority, and declared himself only subject to Salabadjing, as soon as he heard that the French army had stopped at Hyderabad; on the news of which, the bankers, who had hitherto supplied Mr. Bussy, agreed that it was not safe to advance money on these rescripts, nor on any other security which he might offer: but Vizeramrauze, the Rajah of Vizianagur in Chicacole, judging with more sagacity than Ibrahim Ally, ordered his agents at Golcondah to assure Mr. Bussy of his fidelity and the regular payment of his tributes; and one night, when little expected, and most wanted, a man came to Charmaul, and, being permitted to speak in private with Mr. Bussy, delivered with the message of Vizeramrauze a sum of gold, as much as he could carry concealed under his garments. It was sufficient for the present want, and the same man afterwards furnished more as necessary.

On the day of the reconciliation, Murzafer Khan and the deserter Mahmood Khan moved, and encamping with their Sepoys in a strong situation at some distance from Golcondah, where they relied on the assurances of protection which they had received from the wife of Salabadjing, who held the first rank in his seraglio. Mr.Bussy nevertheless sent out parties on several nights to surprise them, and Mahmood Khan was taken; but from consideration of his former services, and the good-will borne to him by the French Sepoys in general, his life was spared. Murzafer Khan maintained his ground some weeks longer, until his Sepoys began to mutiny for want of pay, when some of them proffered Mr. Bussy to deliver him up, who sent a party to receive him; but a little while before the party arrived, he escaped with a few attendants, and went to Poni, where he entered again into the service of Balagerow, by whom he was some time after put to death for a conspiracy.

No other military operations happened during the rest of the year at Golcondah. Shanavaze Khan continued to manage the affairs of the government as duan; and Mr. Bussy interfered little in