There are men who have been here as many years, and who yet survive." "Then this is where the main body of the prisoners were kept ?" Dick asked.
"Yes.

All were brought here, native and English.

Tens of thousands of boys and youths, swept up by Tippoo's armies from the Malabar coast and the Carnatic, were brought up here and formed into battalions, and these English prisoners were forced to drill them.

It was but a poor drill.

I have seen them drilling their recruits at Conjeveram, and the difference between the quick sharp order there, and the listless command here, was great indeed.