170 



fort until the last man bad struck the colours and entered the boat, 

 when the keys would be delivered to the sullaun's officer appointed 

 to receive them. To the demand for the prisoners taken at Forti- 

 fied Island, Mirza declared it could not be complied with, without 

 an express order from Tippoo Sultaun. A pilot to conduct the 

 gallivat was furnished, and the proposed plan of evacuation ac- 

 ceded to. These arrangements being concluded, the troops 

 marched to the beach ; among them were the devoted brahmins, 

 in full uniform and accoutrements: they had been previously ad- 

 monished to shew no alarm, nor be under the smallest terror from 

 the Sultaun's people; but, in full confidence of support, to bayonet 

 the first man who should attempt to seize them. 



While the commandant was giving orders for the delivery of a 

 few horses belonging to Tippoo's cavalry, taken at Bednore, to 

 the persons wailing to take charge of them, he received a message 

 from Mirza replete with affected sorrow at the Sultaun's boats 

 not being sufficiently strong and commodious for the gentlemen's 

 horses, to accompany the present embarkation; but promising they 

 should be sent after their departure, so as to meet them at Sedas- 

 hagger. The obvious meaning and palpable falsehood of this 

 message rendered its insolence intolerable. The troops were 

 therefore ordered instantly to embark, and the officers, indignant 

 at the infamous conduct of Mirza, saw their horses shot upon the 

 spot! 



The sacrifice of these noble animals, while it excited the com- 

 miseration of their owners, struck the Sultaun's people with asto- 

 nishment. But neither did that astonishment, nor the confusion 

 occasioned by the act itself, divert their attention for one moment 



