The Mahrattas, however, when they saw this state of affairs, sent for their artillery, commenced a distant fire on Mukhdoom’s troops, and also made incessant attacks on them. One day and two nights passed in this way, but, on the third night, Mukh­doom, with some brave and experienced officers, two hundred (Kulahposh) Europeans,* and two thousand regular infantry, after climbing hills, and descend­ing vallies, in the darkness of the night, arrived in the rear of the enemy’s camp, and made such a fierce attack on them, that, losing with their senses all power to fight, they fled to the deserts of shame and bitter reflection, and the two inexperienced chiefs, that is Esajee Beenee and the seditious Rao, seeing this sudden calamity, alone, without any covering for their heads or feet, fled and escaped from the conflict. Of their troops, some who awakened from their sleep of forgetfulness laid hold of their swords and muskets, and, making no distinction between friend and foe, slew each other; the rest, both horse and foot, each seizing his opportunity, fled from this trial of manhood, and, by tears and sup­plications, saved their lives from the hands of Hydur’s blood drinkers.

Having gained a great victory, Mukhdoom rejoicing had his conquest proclaimed by his loud kettle drums, on the portals of the world; and, in the morning, with the baggage of the defeated Mahrattas, their guns and stores, which lay about in heaps, he returned to his ground of encampment. The next day the two defeated chiefs again col­lected their followers; and, like crows cawing with cries of ha and hoo, notwithstanding their dis­persion, and the confusion of their faculties, again assembled in one place.

About this time, Nundi Raj wrote to the Mah­rattas, that Hydur Alí Khan was the pillar of the Mysore State, and that he had not only established just claims on that state, but that he might be con­sidered its master; that, at this time, a low servant of his, a Brahman, according to the verse, “When the lair is empty the fox gives himself all the airs of the lion,”* being spoiled by the favor and kind­ness of his master,— verses, “He who is wicked will never fail to do evil— the faithless man can never be trusted,— had rebelled against him, but that his labour was useless, for this wicked action could not be profitable to him— “Confidence can­not be placed in a low man for more than a hour or two— The scum which rode at the top, soon sinks to the bottom of the vessel”*— “And that it was not worthy of them (that is the Mahrattas), that they should interfere thus for him in the govern­ment of the Mysore country, that if they wished to obtain the money due for the Chouth, or Tribute, they should first consider how they might obtain its payment, and afterwards return home, without loss or damage.” After the receipt of this letter from Nundi Raj, the Mahratta put less confidence in the Brahman, Khundi Rao, and some angry words passed between them; and as the Mahrattas had suffered much from the troops of Hydur, they con­ceived it their best policy to return home, and, accordingly Esajee made known his intentions to Hydur, demanding, at the same time, a sum of money. In reply Hydur pleaded his poverty, from the loss of his property, which had been plundered through the intrigues and rebellion of the Brahman; but he promised that, as soon as he should have established his power, and had time to regulate his departments,* the amount should be paid. The Mahrattas now requested he would give up to them the Barh Mahl; and, as they strenuously insisted on this gift, Hydur, to please them, and as a temporary expedient, sent an order, written in the name of Asud Khan Mah­kurri, the Foujdár of Kishengiri, to give up the dis­trict of the Barh Mahl. Sealing it with his large seal, but without enclosing it in an envelope, he thus despatched it to the Mahrattas; and Esajee, delighted to obtain it, and conceiving that all is gain which is saved out of a burning house, immediately marched from the vicinity of Bangalore.

Hydur now, with the rapidity of lightning, marched, and joined the force of Mukhdoom Sáhib, and encamped outside the fortress of Bangalore with his troops and stores. He then secretly wrote to the Foujdár of the Barh Mahl, that it was merely with a view to expediency and his own security, that he had written an order to him, without an envelope, to give up the Barh Mahl district; but that he, (the Foujdár), was to keep his station, with all his force and ability, perfectly independent, and on no account to allow the Mahratta to enter or possess himself of the fort. The prudent Foujdár, there­fore, independent, and at his leisure, provided for the defence of his forts.

In the mean time, Esajee, the Beenee, arrived with his deceptious orders at Kishengiri, and for­warded it to the Foujdár, with his own demand of the surrender of the fort. On receiving the order that able and obedient man demanded a repetition of it in his name, with the signature of his master, and the impression of his private seal;* and further intimated, that he could never think of giving up forts and territory to a single order, and that not even enclosed in an envelope. When the Mahratta insisted on an authentic repetition of the order, Hydur plainly told him, that no order or signature should be repeated; and the Mahratta saw, by such a manly answer, that his negociation had been baffled, and that there was no use in squabbling about it, as the country could never be retained in his possession.

While he was in this distress, his intelligencers brought him information, that Hydur, with the troops of Meer Alí Ruza and Mukhdoom Sáhib, had left, like a hungry lion, his lair in the fort of Ban­galore, and had encamped on the plain of Jugni; and that his eye was eagerly directed to his ene­mies, as to a flock of sheep. The heart of the Mahratta failed him when he heard this, and he marched off, without attaining his object.

The Brahman, Khundi Rao, when the Mahratta moved towards the Barh Mahl had slunk* back to Seringaputtun. Hydur Alí, with his victorious troops, now marching by the route of Makri Droog, placed garrisons of his own in that Droog, and at Ootri Droog, Chenraiputtun, Cheenaputtun,* &c.; and then proceeded, by the Mooti Talaub, and Churkoli, towards Periaputtun, to meet Nundi Raj.