54 WAR WITH MYSORE. 



made such enormous demands, both of monev and territory 

 as confirmed his resolution to persevere in arms. The 

 council, on pretence of consulting Smith, recalled him to 

 Madras, leaving the command with Colonel Wood, who 

 had gained reputation by his rapid conquest of the lower 

 districts. This officer, however, proved himself wholly 

 unable to contend with Hvder; at Baugloor he was sur- 

 prised, and obliged to retreat with confusion and loss, till 

 relieved by the prompt arrival of Major Fitzgerald with a 

 reinforcement. He was forthwith sent a prisoner to 

 Madras, and the command devolved on tha officer just 

 named. J 



The British force had now been considerably weakened 

 by remaining so long in the open field, precariously supplied 

 with iood, and exposed to the unfavourable influences 

 of the climate. The Indian general, who had gained 

 continual accessions of strength, determined on a bold 

 movement, not in front of the English, but by one of his 

 circuitous marches among the hills. First 'his general, 

 and then himself, aided by their thorough knowledge of the 

 passage of the Ghauts, descended suddenly into the lower 

 districts of Coimbetoor and Baramal, with the conquest 

 of which the British had been so highly elated. He found 

 the troops of that nation scattered in numerous small 

 bodies, and occupying indefensible positions, which fell 

 one alter another, almost without resistance, while several 

 were betrayed by the native commandants ; so that in six 

 weeks he had reanncxed to his territory all these boasted 

 acquisitions. On this occasion a detachment under ( 'aptain 

 .Nixon was surrounded by the whole force of the enemy, 

 and, after a most gallant resistance, almost entirely de- 

 stroyed. Hyder then marched upon Eroad, which was 

 under the command of Captain Orton, and invited that 

 officer to come to his tent, under promise of safety. The 

 alter, with a rashness which Wilks ran onh account for 

 by supposing that he had previously dmed, went and 

 placed himself in the power of his enemy. That chief, 

 11 ls Baid i Piqued himself upon not breaking faith without 

 some plausible ground; but there happened to be in the 

 English army a Captain Robinson, Who was formerly a 

 prisoner and released on his parole, which he had not 

 scrupled to violate. On this pretext Hvder not only de- 



