garrisoned by native troops, could not have offered a successful resistance. Dupleix had recognised this, and, counting on the carrying out of the plan he had carefully prepared, he regarded the departure of his guest's army for Trichinopoli as decisive of the war. His anger, rage, and disappointment may therefore be imagined when he received information, first, that Chandá Sáhib had turned away from the road to Trichinopoli, to attack Tánjore; and, secondly, that when he had arrived before that place, instead of attempting a surprise which could scarcely have failed, he had entered into negotiations with its Rájá, thus giving time to that prudent prince to strengthen his defences and to send to Nádir Jang for assistance. Angry as he was at the divergence from his plans, Dupleix recognised but one mode of repairing the mistake, and that was to assault and capture the place. He despatched instructions, then, to Duquesne, who commanded the French contingent, in that sense, and to Chandá Sahib, the most urgent request to support the attack with his whole force. The assault made in consequence of these instructions reduced the Rajá to extremity. He hauled down his flag, and submitted to the onerous terms, limited chiefly to a large money payment, imposed upon him. But when the terms had been agreed to he put in action every wile of which he was master to delay the handing over of the coin, sending messengers to Nádir Jang to hasten his march. Chandá Sáhib, despite the pressing entreaties of Dupleix, allowed
