[25]. While prosecuting this dangerous journey, the author, on a detached paper, observes as follows: This day a circumstance took place, that may be worth recording. In passing through one of the jungles, which are very common in many parts of this country, we were all on the alert, all eye, all ear, wild beasts of different descriptions abounding in these recesses. We were not annoyed, however, by any of them, but we were much alarmed by the sudden appearance of a tremendous snake, which was, as nearly as we could judge, about eleven or twelve feet in length. It passed near my path; and if I ever gave a hearty spring, it was at that moment. It soon got into a hole, all but about three feet of its tail, which we destroyed with the but-ends of our firelocks.
[26]. A kind of split pea.
[27]. Buffaloes’ butter, which is always in a liquid state, owing to the heat.
[28]. The three articles prepared together.
[29]. It was Purso Rhamboo, field-chief of the Mahrattas, to whose camp we were directing our course. The moment they heard this, there was a visible change in their conduct, for he was a mighty man amongst them!
[30]. A place set apart for the use of travellers.
[31]. There were very few surviving at this time; and although his lordship’s humanity ought ever to be remembered in this case, yet we well knew, or guessed, that he would never have any delivered to him. Neither had he. There were none, who had been prisoners, that ever reached the English, unless by making their escape; except two officers, who were detained, contrary to the capitulation, at Coimbatam. These were loaded with presents, and liberated, when the capital was in danger, in order to pave the way for future overtures.—They were fortunate indeed!
[32]. Abdul Kallick the eldest, and Masza ud Dieu the youngest; the former very dark, the latter very fair and personable. The eldest, I well remember, while at Seringapatam, once ordered one of our lads, whose name was Kelly, to be bound with his hands behind him; this being done, he was hoisted by a pulley a yard from the ground, and in this condition severely beaten. And all this, because Kelly would not sing and dance in the English manner, for him to laugh at. We felt for poor Kelly at the time, but it was the subject of mirth among us afterwards. He was a curiously grown Irish lad, and could not talk much English; and as to dancing and singing, he knew as much about it as a Hottentot.
[33]. This was a most tremendous night! Tippoo had taken a position on the north bank of the river, with his front and his flanks covered by a bound hedge, and a number of ravines, swamps, and water-courses; he was likewise fortified by a chain of redoubts, full of cannon, as well as by the artillery of the fort, and of the works of the island: under those circumstances, strong as they were, Lord Cornwallis was determined to attack him. Accordingly, he marshalled his own army in three divisions, omitting to employ the allies in this affair, as he thought them unequal to the arduous task, and leaving his cannon behind him in the camp, with two battalions to guard them. As soon as it was dark, the division pushed on, under the command of this humane and brave general; but the guides, either through ignorance or design, leading the division commanded by General Meadows astray, he did not participate in the glories of the night, so called, at which I have no doubt he was much mortified, as he was very courageous. The night was dark, and the allies were on the alert, expecting the total overthrow of the English. Tens of thousands were spectators, both from the Mahratta and the Nizam’s army; and they all supposed it impossible for any troops in the world to stand against the heavy and tremendous fire that was opened in every direction; but such was the case. The morning shewed the allies that the English had not only defeated them in their camp, taking seventy pieces of cannon, &c. but were absolutely possessed of most part of the suburbs of the island. This looked like magic to the allies, and highly aggrandized the arms of the English in their estimation. It must have been an awfully sublime scene; and it is my humble opinion, that had Lord Cornwallis been repulsed, not an individual of the allies would have been found in their position by twelve o’clock the next day.
[34]. A pagoda varies in value in different parts and times, from seven shillings and five pence, to eight shillings and five pence. A rupee also varies from one shilling and four pence, to two shillings and three pence, sterling, A lack is one hundred thousand.