while the enemy were advancing; and, when the latter had arrived within twenty yards of them, delivered a volley. The Europeans then rushed forward, and their fifty bayonets spread instant confusion amongst the enemy's infantry, who broke and fled. This, however, was all that their gallantry could achieve. The enemy's cavalry at the same moment charged the Sepoys in flank and rear; and the return of the killed and wounded of this glorious detachment included every man, both native and European, with the single exception of Lieutenant Goreham, who saved his life by his knowledge of the country language, which enabled him to request the humanity of a native of rank, in the Mysorean army.
Hyder then marched upon Eroad, which was under the command of Captain Orton, whom he invited to come to his tent under promise of safety – an invitation which that officer foolishly accepted. Hyder always piqued himself on not breaking faith without some plausible reason; but Captain Orton's second in command happened to be a Captain Robinson, who was formerly a prisoner and released on his parole, which he had not scrupled to violate. On this pretext the Mysore chief not only detained Orton, but compelled him to sign an order to Robinson to surrender the important fortress of Eroad – a mandate which this last thought it his duty to obey. The same pretext was used for breaking the capitulation with the garrison of Cauveriporam, and sending them to Seringapatam, where they were immured in dungeons, and treated with the utmost severity.
Darkly and heavily did the year 1768 close upon the prospects of the British Government on the Coromandel coast. A few weeks had wrested from them nearly all that they had previously gained; and Fuzzul Oola Khan was sent to visit Madura and Tinnevelly, while his master ravaged the country in the neighbourhood of the Cauvery, flaming villages and a flying population everywhere marking his progress. The Government of Madras at length became alarmed, and made advances for accommodation,
