amounting to 650 Europeans and 1500 sipáhis, for Trichinopoli.
The sudden departure of Lawrence did not escape the watchful eye of Dupleix. Early in the year he had despatched 100 French troops—obtained partly from Bengal, partly from the ships in the roadstead—to co-operate with the soldiers of Mysore, and these men had occupied the island of Srirangam. Confident that the move of Lawrence was directed against Trichinopoli, he despatched on the instant 200 Frenchmen and 500 sipáhis from Maissin's force to reinforce the garrison of Srirangam, leaving in the intrenched position on the Punar 160 Europeans and 1500 sipáhis. The command of the detached force he gave to M. Astruc, an officer who had given signs of capacity. Whilst Astruc is marching on Sriringam, I propose to watch the action of Maissin on the Punar.
Recognising at a glance that Lawrence had staked the fortunes of his countrymen on the successful defence of Trichinopoli, Dupleix determined to avail himself, to the full extent of the resources left to him, of the advantages within his reach. He could not attack Fort St. David, for that place was secured to England by treaty. But Tiruvádí and Chilambaram—a strong post on the road to Trichinopoli—had slender garrisons, whilst the provinces of North and South Arcot were left almost entirely denuded of English troops. These then he could recover. Acting on the powers bestowed upon him by the Subáhdár he had
