Through  the  plaitt  which  extends  Westward  to  the  ocean,  be-
tween the  huge  afld  precipitous  Neelgherries  on  the  one  hand,
and  the  lofty  and  many-peaked  Animallee  range  on  the  other,  the
host  of  Tippoo  poured.  Day  by  day  saw  an  advance  of  many
miles ;  and  the  season  being  favourable,  they  marched  on  with-
out a  check.  The  Sultaun  was  always  at  the  head  of  the  column
of  march,  sometimes  on  foot  with  a  musket  on  his  shoulder,  show-
ing an  example  to  his  regular  infantry  who  followed  in  order,
relating  his  dreams,  and  pretending  to  inspiration  among  his
sycophants  who  marched  with  him.  At  other  times  he  appeared
surrounded  by  his  irregular  cavalry,  whom  of  old  he  had  led
against  the  English  at  Perambaukum,— ^a  gorgeous-looking  force,
consisting  of  men  of  all  descriptions— the  small  and  wiry  Mah-
ratta,  the  more  robust  Mahomedan,  men  from  Afghanistan  and
from  the  north  of  India,  whom  the  splendid  service  and  brilliant
reputation  of  the  Sultaun  had  tempted  from  their  distant  homes.
Sometimes  he  would  be  seen  to  dash  out  from  among  them  as
they  rode  alo'ng^— a  wild  and  picturesque-looking  band — and
turning  his  horse  in  the  plaitt,  would  soon  be  foUowed  by  the
most  active  and  best-mounted  of  his  officers,  whose  bright  costumes,
armour,  and  gaudy  trappings  glistened  in  the  sun  as  they  rode  at
one  another.  Then  would  ensue  some  mock  combat  or  skirmish,
in  which  the  Sultaun  bore  an  active  and  often  a  victorious  part,
and  in  which  hard  blows  were  by  no  means  of  rare  occurrence.
