In the morning, the ladies proceeded in a native carriage; with the troop, an officer and ten men following, in charge of the bullock carts containing the baggage.
On reaching Madras, they encamped on the Maidan--a large, open space used as a drill ground for the troops garrisoned there--and the Rajah and his party established themselves in the house occupied by him on the occasion of his last visit.

The next day, the Rajah went to the Government House, and had an interview with the deputy governor.
"I think," the latter said, after some conversation, "that your troop of cavalry will be of little use to the Nabob.

If Tippoo comes down from the hills, he will not be able to take the field against him, and will need all his forces to defend Arcot, Vellore, and his smaller forts, and cavalry would be of no real use to him.

Your troop would be of much greater utility to the battalions from Bengal, when they arrive.

They will be here in three weeks or so, and as soon as they come, I will attach you to them.