From the journal I have quoted it would seem that it was on the 1st of October that Dupleix realised that the English must eventually raise the siege. Some prisoners he had taken revealed the losses and discouragement of the besiegers, the anger of their admiral. On the 6th, Dupleix had learned from a similar source that the besiegers were suffering from sickness, and that, as a last resource, Admiral Boscawen intended to bring up his ships to bombard the place: on the 7th, that the fire of twenty-one ships had been brought to bear, but that the cannon-balls had fallen short. Of the conduct of Dupleix on the following day when a heavier fire was brought to bear, the Diwán writes: 'What has become of the bravery of the English compared with that of the incomparable Dupleix? It has vanished like night.' On the 9th and 11th he records the damaging effect of the fire from new French batteries brought to bear on the English ships. On the 13th he states that deserters had brought news that the raising of the siege had been practically decided upon in consequence mainly of the near approach of the monsoon. On the 16th he records the realisation of all their hopes, and the despatch in pursuit of the retiring troops of a strong force of European and native cavalry and infantry: on the 17th, the celebration of a 'Te Deum' in honour of the occasion: on the 18th, the departure of the allied fleets.
The raising of the siege of Pondichery left the rival parties almost in the position in which they were
