e so entirely, that even those who
quitted the place supplied him with exact intelligence of the enemy's
designs, when he was besieged in the sequel. The town was in a little
time invested by Rajah Saib, son of Chunda Saib, at the head of a
numerous army, and the operations of the siege were conducted by
European engineers. Though their approaches were retarded by the
repeated and resolute sallies of Mr. Clive, they at length effected
two breaches supposed to be practicable; and on the fourteenth day of
October, in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty-one, gave a
general assault. Mr. Clive, having received intimation of their design,
had made such preparations for their reception, that they were repulsed
in every quarter with great loss, and obliged to raise the siege with
the utmost precipitation.

This gallant Englishman, not contented with the reputation he had
acquired from his noble defence, was no sooner reinforced by a
detachment under captain Kirkpatrick from Trichinopoly, than he marched
in pursuit of the enemy, whom he overtook in the plains of Arani.
There, on the third day of December, he attacked them with irresistible
impetuosity; and, after an obstinate dispute, obtained a complete
victory at a very small expense. The forts of Timery, Caujeveram, and
Arani, surrendered to the terror of his name, rather than to the force
of his arms; and he returned to Fort St. David's in triumph. He had
enjoyed a very few weeks of repose, when he was summoned to the field by
fresh incursions of the enemy. In the beginning of the year one thousand
seven hundred and fifty-two, he marched with a small detachment to
Madras, where he was joined by a reinforcement from Bengal, the whole
number not exceeding three hundred Europeans, and assembled a body of
the natives, that he might have at least the appearance of an army. With
these he proceeded to Koveripauk, about fifteen miles from Ar-cot, where
he found the French and Indians, consisting of fifteen hundred sepoys,
seventeen hundred horse, a body of natives, and one hundred and fifty
Europeans, with eight pieces of cannon. Though they were advantageously
posted and intrenched, and the day was already far advanced, Mr. Clive
advanced against them with his usual intrepidity; but the victory
remained for some time in suspense. It was now dark, and the battle
doubtful, when Mr. Clive sent round a detachment to fall in the rear
of the French battery. This attack was exec