ee us in
possession of those hills, and Hyder's army in full flight.'

"Presently, we saw a movement. The two lines of infantry formed into
columns, and instead of advancing towards Hyder's position, turned
down towards the sea, and marched along between it and the sand hills.
We were at the same time set in motion, and kept along between the
infantry and the sea, so as to be under their protection, if Hyder's
cavalry should sweep down. All his preparations had been made under
the supposition that we should advance by the main road to Cuddalore,
and this movement entirely disconcerted his plans. The sand hills
completely protected our advancing columns, and when they had reached
a point almost in line with Hyder's centre, the artillery dashed up to
the crest of the hills, and the first column passed through a break in
them, and moved forward against the enemy, the guns above clearing a
way for them.

"A short halt was made, until the artillery of the second line came
up, and also took their position on the hill. Then the first column,
with its guns, moved forward again.

"Hyder had, in the meantime, moved back his line and batteries into a
position at right angles to that they had before occupied, and facing
the passage through the sand hills by which the English were
advancing. As soon as the column issued from the valley, a tremendous
fire was poured upon it, but it again formed into line of battle, and,
covered by the fire of the artillery, moved forward.

"It was a grand sight. My father and I had left the baggage, which
remained by the sea, and had ridden up on to a sand hill, from which
we had a view of the whole of the battleground. It was astonishing to
see the line of English infantry advancing, under that tremendous
fire, against the rising ground occupied by the dense masses of the
enemy.

"Presently there was a movement opposite, and a vast body of cavalry
moved down the slope. As they came the red English line suddenly broke
up, and, as if by magic, a number of small squares, surrounded by
glistening bayonets, appeared where it had stood.

"Down rode Hyder's cavalry. Every gun on our side was turned upon
them. But though we could see the confusion in the ranks, caused by
the shot that swept them, they kept on. It seemed that the little red
patches must be altogether overwhelmed by the advancing wave. But as
it came closer, flashes of fire spurted out from the faces of the
squares. We could see the h