He had allowed all who preferred it to remain behind; and some four hundred stayed to look after their families.

Most of the population took to the hills and, as Hyder's forces were too much occupied to spend time in scouring the ghauts in search of fugitives, when there was so much loot and so many captives ready to their hands on the plains, the fugitives for the most part remained there in safety.

The palace was burnt, the town sacked and partly destroyed, and some fifteen hundred of our people, who had remained in their homes, killed or carried off.
"My father did some service with our horse, and I fought by his side.
We were with Colonel Baillie's force when it was destroyed, after for two days resisting the whole of Hyder All's army.

Being mounted, we escaped, and reached Madras in safety, after losing half our number.
But all that I can tell you about, some other day.
"When peace was made and Hyder retired, we returned home, rebuilt the palace, and restored the town.

But if Tippoo follows his father's example, and sweeps down from the hills, there will be nothing for it but to fly again.