He attempted no disguise as to his object, and moved, confident in his power, to conquer the Carnatic and drive the English into the sea.
"My father had already made his preparations.

Everything was in readiness, and as soon as the news reached him, he started for Madras, under the guard of his escort, with my mother and myself, most of the traders of the town, and the landowners, who had gathered here in fear and trembling.
"It was a painful scene, as you may imagine, and I shall never forget the terrified crowds in the streets, and the wailing of the women.
Many families who then left reached Madras in safety, but of those who remained in the town, all are dead, or prisoners beyond the hills.
Hyder descended through the pass of Changama on the 20th of July, and his horsemen spread out like a cloud over the country, burning, devastating, and slaughtering.

Hyder moved with the main army slowly, occupying town after town, and placing garrisons in them.
"You must not suppose that he devastated the whole country.

He was too wise for that.

He anticipated reigning over it as its sovereign, and had no wish to injure its prosperity.