"
Next day, several of the shops containing the most valuable goods were
shut up; and, day by day, the number remaining open grew smaller.
"It is as I expected," the Rajah said, one morning, as he came into
the room where the family was sitting. "A messenger has just come in
from the Nabob, with the news that sickness broke out among the army,
as soon as they arrived at Caroor, and in twenty-four hours a thousand
men were in hospital. This delayed the movement, and when they arrived
at Coimbatoor they were too late. Tippoo and his army had already
passed, moving by forced marches back to Mysore.
"Finish your packing, ladies. We will start at daybreak tomorrow
morning. I secured three boats, four days ago, and have been holding
them in readiness. Rajbullub will go in charge of you. There is not
the least fear of Tippoo being here for another fortnight, at the
earliest.
"I shall ride with the troop. Dick and the boys will go with me. We
shall meet you at Conjeveram. I have already arranged with some of our
people, who have gone on in their bullock carts, with their
belongings, and will unload them there, to be in readiness to take our
goods on to Madras, so there will be no delay in getting forward.
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