116 CONQUEST or MVSORE. 



advanced in perfect order and with great gallantry ; but the 

 English infantry, reserving their fire, received that of their 

 antagonists at the distance of sixty yards, rushed against 

 the Mysoreans and broke their ranks, when General Floyd 

 with the horse drove them off the field. The whole of the 

 Indian line then gave way, and a general retreat ensued, 

 which Harris, who was greatly inferior in cavalry and light 

 troops, did not attempt to molest. The loss was not very 

 serious on either side ; but an additional proof was given 

 how unable even the flower of the Eastern armies was to 

 contend in pitched battle with the British. 



Tippoo made another attempt to carry into effect his plan 

 of desultory warfare. He had removed or destroyed all the 

 forage, and almost every blade of grass on the highway 

 between the English, position and the capital ; and he hov- 

 ered round, ready to fall upon their rear, as they marched 

 along this desolated route. But he was completely disap- 

 pointed by the movement of General Harris, who, after 

 leaving Malavilly turned to the left, crossed the Cavery at 

 the fords of Sosilla, and proceeded to Seringapatnm along 

 the southern bank of that river ; a resolution which, being 

 wholly unexpected, no precautions had been taken to de- 

 feat. On their seeing their last scheme thus baffled, Tip- 

 poo and his principal officers were struck with deep dismay 

 and despondence. Having assembled them in council, he 

 said, " We have arrived at our last stage ; what is your 

 determination?" — "To die along with you," was the uni- 

 versal reply. A unanimous resolution was formed to try 

 again the fortune of the field, with the alternative only of 

 victory or death. All present were deeply affected ; one of 

 the chiefs, before taking leave, threw himself prostrate and 

 clasped the feet of the sultan, the usual sign in India of the 

 most solemn farewell. The emperor could not refrain from 

 tears ; his example quickly spread through* the whole as- 

 sembly ; and they parted as men who had met for the last 

 time in this world. But this final crisis had not yet arrived. 

 Tippoo had expected that the English commander would 

 proceed to the eastern extremity of the island of Seringa- 

 pat am, cross the branch of the Cavery that enclosed it, and 

 establish himself on the ground formerly occupied by Lord 

 Cornwallis. But General Harris chose to make a circuit, 

 whkh would bring his army opposite to the western point 



