His troops, fourteen thousand strong, made their way without difficulty through a breach, but they were suddenly attacked by a small body of Travancore men.

A panic seized them.

They rushed back to the breach, and in the wild struggle to pass through it, no less than two thousand were either killed or crushed to death.
"It was nearly three months before Tippoo renewed his attack.

The lines were weak, and his army so strong that resistance was impossible.

A breach, three-quarters of a mile in length, was made in the wall, and marching through this, he devastated Travancore from end to end.
"His unaccountable delay, before assaulting the position, has been of great advantage to us.