SUCCESSES OF TIPPOO. 87 



attention to this warning, and ordered the detachment to 

 continue in its present position. The Mysore cavalry, un- 

 der Seyed Saheb, had indeed, in their first attack, been very 

 easily repulsed, and even compelled to retire behind the 

 Ghauts ; but this failure of the advanced guard under a 

 pusillanimous chief afforded no ground to judge of what 

 miffht be expected when the whole force under the sultan 

 himself should be brought into action. Early in September 

 his horsemen were seen in large bodies descending the 

 Ghauts ; and as, when crossing the Bahvany at different 

 points, they endeavoured to surround the handful of Eng- 

 lish and sepoys, the latter soon felt themselves in a very 

 critical situation. They nevertheless made a gallant de- 

 fence, and the enemy, having entangled their columns in 

 the thick enclosures which surrounded the British position, 

 were charged very effectually with the bayonet, and several 

 troops entirely cut off. The Mysoreans, however, still ad- 

 vanced with increasing numbers, and opened a battery, 

 which did gTeat execution among the native soldiers ; yet 

 these last stood their ground with great bravery, saying,— 

 " We have eaten the company's salt ; our lives are at their 

 disposal." Thus the English maintained their position, 

 and Tippoo thought proper to withdraw during the night 

 to the distance of several miles ; but the casualties had 

 been so 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 midday overtook his enemies as they retired in 

 single column. The latter, being obliged to halt and form 

 in order of battle, repulsed several charges ; yet, as soon as 

 they resumed their march, the Indians hovered round them 

 on all sides. They were compelled to abandon three addi- 

 tional guns, and their situation was becoming more and 

 more critical, when some cavalry being seen in the road 

 from Coimbetoor, the cry arose that General Medows was 

 coming to their aid. this report, being favoured by the 

 commander, was echoed with such confidence through the 

 ranks, that though Tippoo had good information to the con- 

 trary, he was deceived, and withdrew his squadrons. Colonel 

 Floyd was thus enabled to prosecute his retreat towards the 



