He
had allowed all who preferred it to remain behind; and some four
hundred stayed to look after their families. Most of the population
took to the hills and, as Hyder's forces were too much occupied to
spend time in scouring the ghauts in search of fugitives, when there
was so much loot and so many captives ready to their hands on the
plains, the fugitives for the most part remained there in safety. The
palace was burnt, the town sacked and partly destroyed, and some
fifteen hundred of our people, who had remained in their homes, killed
or carried off.
"My father did some service with our horse, and I fought by his side.
We were with Colonel Baillie's force when it was destroyed, after for
two days resisting the whole of Hyder All's army. Being mounted, we
escaped, and reached Madras in safety, after losing half our number.
But all that I can tell you about, some other day.
"When peace was made and Hyder retired, we returned home, rebuilt the
palace, and restored the town. But if Tippoo follows his father's
example, and sweeps down from the hills, there will be nothing for it
but to fly again. Tippoo commanded one of the divisions of Hyder's
army, last time, and showed much skill and energy; and has, since he
came to the throne, been a scourge to his neighbours in the north.
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