force of two thousand men. Through that pass Tippoo Sultan and his army began to descend early in September; and as large bodies of his horsemen endeavoured to surround the handful of English and Sepoys, the latter soon felt themselves in a very critical situation. They, nevertheless, made a gallant defence; and the enemy, having entangled their columns in the thick inclosures which surrounded the British position, were charged very effectually with the bayonet, and several squadrons entirely cut off. The Mysoreans, however, still advanced with increasing numbers, and opened a battery which did great execution among the native soldiers; but these brave fellows stood their ground with unshaken firmness, saying, "We have eaten the Company's salt; our lives are at their disposal!" They accordingly maintained their position, and Tippoo thought proper to withdraw, during the night, to the distance of several miles.
But the casualties had been so very severe, and the post proved so untenable, that Colonel Floyd considered it necessary in the morning to commence his retreat, leaving on the field three dismounted guns. The Sultan, at the same time, having mustered his forces, began the pursuit with about fifteen thousand men, and after mid-day overtook the English as they retired in single column. The latter, repeatedly obliged to halt and form in order of battle, repulsed several charges; yet, as soon as they resumed their march, the Mysoreans hovered round them on all sides again. They were compelled to abandon three additional guns, and their situation was becoming more and more critical, when some cavalry being seen on the road from Coimbatore, the cry arose that General Meadows was coming to their aid, which excited the most enthusiastic cheers. The Sultan giving credit to the report, withdrew his cavalry, and Colonel Floyd was thus enabled to prosecute his retreat towards the main army.
The English, in the course of these untoward events, had lost above four hundred in killed and wounded; their plans for the campaign had been deranged; the
