in exploding the powder-magazine with the effect of rendering Ariákupum no longer tenable; that Paradis and his troops succeeded in falling back on Pondichery, the siege of which really commenced the day following. Rangápoulé relates how, on the 11th of September,—not the 6th as stated by Mr. Orme,—Paradis was directed to make, and did make, a sortie at the head of from 800 to 900 men; how the native spy, who had given the information which had led Dupleix to decide on the sortie, led him into an ambuscade; how, suddenly assailed by a fire from his flank, Paradis was shot through the head and killed; how, despite this heavy loss of his best officer, Dupleix never despaired. So stoutly did he defend himself that Admiral Boscawen was slowly brought to the conclusion that it would be impossible to take the place before the monsoon should set in. Vainly did he bring up his ships as close as he dared to bombard the place. On the 13th of October he felt that he must retreat. On the 14th he called a council of war, and with the advice of its members, in which he concurred, gave the necessary orders to destroy the batteries, the provisions, the camp equipage, and to re-embark. On the 17th, the besieging force, the largest body of Europeans till then massed on Indian soil, broke up and retreated on Fort St. David, leaving behind it 1065 men, who had succumbed either to the enemy's fire or to sickness contracted during the siege. The loss of the French amounted to 200 Europeans and 50 natives.
