gs will go.

"Matters are complicated, too, by the fact that Scindia has now in
his service sixteen battalions of drilled infantry, commanded by
French officers; and these have proved so valuable, in the various
sieges he has undertaken, that Holkar has been obliged to imitate
his example. There are many who think that the introduction of
infantry will, in the end, prove disastrous to the power of the
Mahrattas; whose strength has hitherto lain in their cavalry, which
could perform long journeys, strike a blow and be off again, and so
were more than a match for the infantry of other Indian princes.
But with infantry all this will be altered, for the marches must be
no longer or faster than they can journey. The order of battles,
too, will be changed altogether; and we shall depend more upon
foot, while our horse, until now almost invincible, will become of
secondary importance.

"However, that is not the question, at present. The first thing to
be considered is, to which of the three great leaders you are to
attach yourself. As you know, I was for many years in Scindia's
service; but at his death the position was changed. Scindia knew
that I was active and capable; had he lived, I should soon have
gained much promotion. However, his chief minister took a dislike
to me; and I felt that, now the Maharajah was gone, Doulut would be
easily swayed by the counsels of those around him; and that instead
of promotion I should be more likely to lose my command, and
perhaps be put out of the way. Therefore I left Doulut's service,
and have entered that of the young Peishwa who, at the advice of
Nana Furnuwees, has given me the command of a troop of a hundred
men.

"Years ago I gained Nana's goodwill, by apprising him of the
hostile intentions of the Rajah of Nagpore; when he promised me
that, should I at any time leave Scindia's service, he would give
me as good a position as I held there in that of the Peishwa. The
young prince is but twenty-one, and I will ask Nana to present you
to him as one who, in time, will become a valuable officer; and it
is likely that Mahdoo Rao will receive you well when he hears that,
though so young, you have gained great credit as a slayer of wild
beasts; and that, as he will see for himself, you promise to grow
into a strong man, and a brave soldier.

"Nana Furnuwees is a man who, by his conciliating manner, gains the
confidence of all who come under his influence; and it is wholly
due to hi