'  By  your  head  and  eyes — by  your  salt,  it  is  ! '

'  Will  any  one  answer  for  you  ?  it  is  a  fearful  risk.*

Kasim  looked  round ;  his  eyes  met  Philip's.  '  Come,'  he  said,
'  if  thou  art  for  a  ride,  come  this  night  and  I  will  show  it  thee  :  I
and  my  men  will  escort  thee :  Wilt  thou  trust  me  ? '

'  To  the  death  ! '  said  Philip.
'  I  believe  him,'  said  the  General ;  '  and  he  will  see  that  this
great  service  shall  be  rewarded.  Nevertheless  I  should  like  to
know  more  about  the  ford,  and  if  it  can  be  reconnoitered.
Will  you  make  the  report,  colonel  ?  you  can  take  an  escort  of
cavalry.'

'  With  pleasure ;  you  shall  know  early  to-morrow.'

'  And  I  will  accompany  you,'  said  another  officer ;  '  it  will  be  a
pleasant  ride.'

'  Come,  gentlemen,'  said  Kasim,  '  we  lose  time,  and  we  have  a
long  ride  before  us.'


TIPPOO  SULTAUN.  435


The  Sultaun,  plunged  into  despair,  had  retired  westward.
The  army  had  collected,  but  thousands  were  missing,  killed,  or
had  deserted  from  his  standard.  Still  there  was  hope:  his
officers  were  yet  faithful ;  the  forage  of  the  north  bank  of  the
Cavery  was  utterly  destroyed ;  and  the  active  Poornea,  ^at  the
head  of  the  irregular  cavalry,  was  out  burning  villages  and  setting
fire  to  the  grass  of  the  wide  plains.  If  the  English  should
advance,  they  would  be  drawn  on  to  defeat  as  before.  There
was  still  hope :  his  plans  of  defence  were  being  matured :  troops
poured  into  the  Fort  from  all  sides,  and  provisions  for  a  year.
