They were a somewhat motley troop, but this mattered little, as uniformity was unknown among the forces of the native princes.
The majority were stout young fellows.

All provided their own horses and arms, and although the former lacked the weight and bone of English cavalry horses, they were capable of performing long journeys, and of existing on rations on which an English horse would starve.
All were well armed, for any deficiency had been made up from the Rajah's store, and from this a large number of guns had, three days before, been distributed among such of the ryots as intended to take to the hills on the approach of the enemy.

Ammunition had also been distributed among them.

Every man in the troop carried a shield and tulwar, and on his back was slung a musket or spear; and there were few without pistols in their girdles.
They rode halfway to Conjeveram, and stopped for the night at a village--the men sleeping in the open air, while the Rajah, his sons, and Dick, were entertained by the chief man of the place.

The next afternoon they rode into Conjeveram, where, just at sunset, the boats also arrived.
The troop encamped outside the town, while the Rajah and his party occupied some rooms that had been secured beforehand for them.