But, this time, D'Auteuil was on the alert. Six hours after De Gingen had quitted his position at Utátur, the French and their allies were on their track; and, marching as rapidly, encamped within three miles of them at eight o'clock that evening. The position of the English was full of danger. The country had declared for Chandá Sáhib, whose army was increasing every step, and hero was De Gingen, encamped with dispirited troops, far fewer in number, on the northern bank of an unfordable river, within three miles of them. It was, moreover, still open to the enemy, by making a not very wide détour, to cut him off from the fortress. He resolved not to stay a single night in such a position. Risking an attack which, judging from the previous conduct of D'Auteuil, he felt confident would not be made, he collected boats, and before the next day had dawned, had crossed to Srírangam, a large island, fourteen miles by two, formed by the division of the Kolrún and the Káverí into two branches about eleven miles west of Trichinopoli. He did not consider himself safe even here, for, noting the preparations made by the French to follow him, he, on the night of the second day, crossed the Káverí and encamped under the walls of the fortress. D'Auteuil at once took possession of the island and attempted thence to bombard the fortress. But the distance, a fraction over two miles and a half, was too great. D'Auteuil then crossed the Káverí, and took post in front of the rock known as the French Rock, a mile and three-quarters to the east of
