MAHRATTA INVASION. 57 



before morning to be beyond reach of the enemy. But the 

 rash discharge of a gun by one of the officers betrayed the 

 secret, and the numerous squadrons of Mahratta horse 

 were soon in full pursuit. A most extraordinary scene 

 then ensued. The critical condition of the army had not 

 prevented Hyder from indulging in habits of evening 

 inebriety, to which he had become addicted, and which now 

 rendered him wholly unfit for directing the movement 

 of the troops. Having in this state met his son Tippoo, 

 he assailed him with the bitterest reproaches ; then seizing 

 a thick cane, applied it to his back with such vehemence 

 that the marks remained visible for upwards of a week. 

 The prince, burning with indignation, went to the head 

 of his division, dashed to the ground his turban, sword, and 

 splendid robe, exclaiming, " My father may fight his own 

 battle, for I swear by Alia and his prophet that I draw no 

 sword to-day." The army, thus left to itself, soon became 

 a crowd of scattered fugitives, and Hyder with difficulty, as 

 the Mahrattas were busied in plunder, mounted a fleet 

 horse, and almost alone reached Seringapatam. Tippoo, 

 having assumed an humble garb, begged his way un- 

 discovered through the midst of the enemy, and arrived the 

 same night in the capital. 



Trimbuck Mama immediately marched upon Seringap- 

 atam, and seemed on the point of putting a period at once 

 to the career of the great usurper. The Mahrattas, how- 

 ever, possessed no skill adequate to the siege of so strong 

 a fortress. They kept up for a month a daily cannonade, 

 which produced no effect, while the resources of Hyder 

 were constantly recruited. He now proceeded to operate 

 with success on their rear, and, after a tedious and harassing 

 warfare of a year and a half, prevailed on them to accept 

 the high terms which he offered ; namely, the cession of a 

 great part of his northern dominions, and the immediate 

 payment of fifteen lacks of rupees, and fifteen more here- 

 after, of which last term he fully understood the value. 



The English during this war did not fulfil their engage- 

 ment to aid the Mysorean chief in the defence of his do- 

 minions. Their councils, indeed, were in a very divided 

 and distracted state. The crown had sent out Sir John 

 Lindsay in a very anomalous character, as minister-pleni- 

 potentiary, holding a power nearly co-ordinate with that 



