Sáhib. They despatched Captain Dalton on this errand. Dalton, misled by a guide, found himself in the early hours of the morning some two miles distant from Chandá Sáhib's post, and in front of the very strongest part of Law's position. This was an opportunity which any other commander but Law would have seized. He had recognised Dalton's danger, and he had him in his power. But the danger of his own situation had mastered his mental facilities. He allowed Dalton to fall back unmolested; then, against the positive orders of Dupleix, against the entreaties of Chandá Sáhib, despite the remonstrances of all his commanders, he retreated into the island of Srirangam, abandoning or destroying a great part of the provisions accumulated for the use of his European troops.
Then followed a series of catastrophes, the consequences of this false move. A letter from D'Auteuil, intimating his movements, fell into the hands of the English, and Lawrence despatched Clive to intercept D'Auteuil, as he should approach the western bank of the Kolrún. But Chandá Sáhib, well served by spies, communicated to Law the movement of Clive, and pointed out to him the possibility of crushing that leader whilst he was endeavouring to crush D'Auteuil. The manœuvre could scarcely fail, if it were executed in sufficient force, and with sufficient intelligence. Law did recognise in this plan a certain chance of extricating himself from all his troubles. The river Kaverí and its branches would prevent the
