evidence of an extent of mercantile activity utterly inconceivable in any camp excepting that of systematic plunderers by wholesale and retail. Every variety of trade appeared to be exercised with a large competition and considerable diligence: and among them one apparently the least adapted to a wandering life – the trade of a tanner – was practised with eminent success. A circular hole dug in the earth, a raw hide adapted to it at the bottom and sides, and secured above with a series of skewers run through its edges into the earth, formed the tanpit: on marching days the tanpit with its contents, in the shape of a bag, formed one side of a load for a horse or bullock, and the liquid preparation was either emptied or preserved, according to the length or expected repetition of the march. The English officers obtained from these ambulatory tanpits what their own Indian capitals could not then produce, except as European imports – excellent sword-belts."[1]
These welcome allies, moreover, introduced the British commander to a most useful class of men, the Brinjarries, or grain merchants; who, travelling in large armed bodies, with their wives and children, made it their business to supply all the military powers of Hindostan. They distributed their corn with the strictest impartiality to all who could pay for it; and the General, now amply supplied with funds, was no longer exposed to want, and easily obtained a preference over Tippoo, whose pecuniary resources were beginning to fail.
After this fortunate junction the march of the confederates was slow, in order to afford opportunity for the arrival of large convoys of provisions and plunder coming up in the Mahratta rear. On the 18th of June the army was within three miles of Hooleadroog, a fort built upon a lofty perpendicular rock of great strength. The pettah, which lay at the foot of the rock, being occupied without difficulty, the Killadar surrendered the fort on a promise
- ↑ "Sketches of the South of India."
