The English have won, before now, with greater odds against them.
"My father had marched out with his cavalry, one hundred and fifty strong, with Munro.

Of course, I was with him, and it was to him that the English general gave the despatch to carry to Colonel Baillie.

We rode hard, for at any moment Hyder's cavalry might swoop down and bar the road; but we got through safely, and the next morning, the 24th, Baillie started.
"The encampment was within twenty-five miles of Madras, and with one long forced march, we could have effected a junction with Munro.

The heat was tremendous, and Baillie halted that night on the bank of the River Cortelour.

The bed was dry, and my father urged him to cross before halting.