66 WAR WITH MYSORE. 



tered several of the Indian chiefs, and his name was called 

 out by the most daring. In this mode of fighting, how- 

 ever, the natives in general had the advantage. 



Harassing as such a warfare was, and though the My- 

 sorean chief continued to refuse battle, he was obliged to 

 raise the siege of every place upon which the English di- 

 rected their march. In this manner the important fortresses 

 of Wandewash and Permacoil were relieved, and a stop 

 was thereby put to the career of the enemy. The British 

 commander, however, in following the rapid movements of 

 this indefatigable adversary, found his troops so exhausted, 

 and reduced to such destitution, as left no prospect of 

 relief except in a general action, which he scarcely hoped 

 to accomplish. But Hyder at length, encouraged by the 

 appearance of a French fleet on the coast, and by a repulse 

 sustained by the English in attacking the pagoda of Chil- 

 lumbrum, intrenched his army in a strong post near Cud- 

 dalore, where he at once maintained his communication 

 with the sea, and cut off the supplies of his opponent. 

 The station was extremely formidable ; but Sir Evre Cooto 

 skilfully led his men through a passage formed by the 

 enemy for a different purpose, drew up the troops in the 

 face of several powerful batteries, as well as of a vast body 

 of cavalry, and finally carried all before him. Hyder, 

 seated on a portable stool upon an eminence in the rear of 

 the army, was struck with amazement at the success of the 

 attack, and burst into the most furious passion ; refusing 

 for some time to move from the spot, till a trusty old servant 

 almost by force drew the slippers on his legs, and placed 

 him on a swift horse, which bore him out of the reach of 

 danger. 



This victory enabled the English commander to relieve 

 Wandewash a second time, which was again closely pressed 

 by Tippoo ; but it did not supply his urgent want of money, 

 provisions, and equipments. After sundry marches and 

 countermarches, Hyder once more took ground, and wailed 

 battle in a position chosen by himself, being no other than 

 that fortunate spot, as he deemed it, near the village of Po- 

 lilloor, where he had gained the triumph over the°corps of 

 Colonel Baillie, Here General Coote led his troops to an 

 action which proved more bloody than decisive. He placed 

 them in various positions, but found them everywhere 



