possession of twenty-four pieces of cannon, a large quantity of ammunition, and such stores and baggage as had not been burned by Lally on his retreat. The loss of the English in killed and wounded was about two hundred, and that of the enemy was computed to amount to three times that number.
The news of this victory diffused unbounded joy at the Presidency, and its results were of great importance. The fortress of Gingee was soon after carried by the English under Colonel Coote; aud Arcot, the capital of the Nabob, was once more wrested from the French. These successes were speedily followed by the capture or surrender of Trinomaly, Permacoil, Deir-Cottah, Karical, Cuddalore, and many other places of minor consequence; till at length nothing remained but Pondicherry, to whose gates the English were fast approaching, having shut up the French within a very circumscribed space, where, if able to maintain their ground, they were in imminent danger of perishing by famine.
In this critical position Lally concluded a treaty with Hyder Ali, an adventurer who subsequently played a distinguished part in the affairs of the Carnatic, from whom he obtained the services of a body of Mysorean troops, which only served to delay the catastrophe a few months longer. At length, after a variety of operations, which offer no incidents of any interest, Pondicherry was closely invested by Colonel Coote, and the prospects of the French were daily becoming more gloomy. The troops within the place were not only insufficient for its defence, but famine was threatening to assail them; and no forage being procurable, the few cavalry that remained were sent away; though their departure further diminished the strength on which the town rested for defence, and both horses and men were likely to be taken by the English.
Distress at length attained that stage when man regards his competitor for bread as an incumbrance, from which he must deliver himself, whatever may be the
