Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/116

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110
The War of Coromandel.
Book VI.

the money for the payment of the Jemautdars at Madura, All he could dispatch immediately was 20,000 rupees, which stopped on the road from an apprehension of being intercepted by Nabey Cawn Catteck; and it was some days before he could obtain authentic bills of exchange for the amount required.

Mean while the Jemautdars having the power in themselves, had taken no pains to conceal their negotiation from Maphuze Cawn and Berkatoolah, who having no other means to overset it, employed intrigue. There was, among the Jemautdars, one named Seer Cawn, a man of art and spirit, attached to Berkatoolah; he had hitherto gone with the rest, with the view alone of leading them back, whensoever the opportunity should offer. No money coming on several days in which it was expected, Seer Cawn suggested to his comrades, that the interpreter had amused them with the negotiation in order to cover some other design, perhaps the surprise of the city, by Mahomed Issool's troops at Secunder Maly; and advised them to think of a reconciliation with their friends rather than trust any further to those whose views they did not know. Maphuze Cawn and Berkatoolah improved the effects of these suggestions by lavish promises, which prevailed, and immediately after the reconciliation 500 horse marched to join those with Nabey Cawn Catteck.

Notwithstanding this change, the interpreter still remained in the city with hopes of renewing the negotiation, on which Captain Calliaud resolved to go to Nattam himself, to be nearer at hand to give the necessary instructions; and, warned by the late disappointment, he took with him from Tritchinopoly an agent belonging to the house of Buckanjee, the principal shroff or banker in the Decan, whose word was every where esteemed as ready money. Arriving at Nattam on the 25th of October, he was met there by the interpreter, and an officer lately sent by the Nabob from Arcot to treat with the Jemautdars. The officer represented that neither Maphuze Cawn nor Berkatoolah were in reality averse to an accommodation, but insisted that the presidency should give their guarantee for the terms, since neither of them would trust the Nabob: that Berkatoolah, who was rich, required only protection for his person, family,