their ordinary guards; and had recalled the whole garrison of Seringham, having agreed to deliver over this place to the brother of Hydernaig; who arrived with a party of Mysoreans from Dindigul, and took possession of it on the 17th of May, when, the French troops marched away for Fort St. David. They consisted of 100 Europeans and 1500 Sepoys: but one half of the Sepoys deserted on the road, for fear of the unusual services to which they heard those in the camp were applied; having for the first time been employed in throwing up earth in the trenches; on which the rest, with the Europeans, were ordered to halt at Chilambarum, where they were joined during the siege by 200 Europeans from the camp. This force was intended to succour Karical, in case the English squadron should make a descent there. As soon as Fort St. David capitulated, Mr. D'Estaign was detached, with some more troops and cannon, to join, and proceed with them against Devi Cotah; but this officer, on good intelligence, left the cannon at Chilambarum, and on the 4th appeared with the troops before Devi Cotah, which the garrison abandoned on his approach. It consisted of 30 Europeans, and 600 Sepoys; they marched away through the Tanjore country to Tritchinopoly.
As soon as Devi Cotah was taken, the army returned with all expedition from Fort St. David to Pondicherry, and on the evening of the 7th, Mr. Lally made a triumphant entry, which had been concerted, into the town, and proceeded to a magnificent Te Deum, which was followed by a sumptuous entertainment; immediately after which, he renewed his bickerings with Mr. Deleyrit and the Council, because the public treasure was almost exhausted; not without accusations that they had diverted it to their own emoluments.
The English squadron saw the French set sail from the road of Pondicherry; but, kept back by the Cumberland, lost, instead of gaining ground, and fell to leeward again as far as Alamparva, off which place, Mr. Pococke received on the 5th a letter, dispatched by the English agent at Sadrass, informing him of the loss of Fort St. David. At this time the squadron had not more than
