He knew that the amount of provisions which Clive had stored was not large, and thinking that famine would inevitably compel his surrender, shrank from incurring the risk of disheartening his army, by the slaughter which an unsuccessful attempt to carry the place must entail.

He determined, at any rate, to increase the probability of success, and utilize his superior forces, by making an assault at two points, simultaneously.

He therefore erected a battery on the southwest, and began to effect a breach on that side, also.
Clive, on his part, had been busy endeavouring to obtain assistance.
His native emissaries, penetrating the enemy's lines, carried the news of the situation of affairs in the fort to Madras, Fort Saint David, and Trichinopoli.

At Madras a few fresh troops had arrived from England, and Mr.Saunders, feeling that Clive must be relieved at all cost, however defenceless the state of Madras might be, despatched, on the 20th of October, a hundred Europeans and a hundred Sepoys, under Lieutenant Innis.

These, after three days' marching, arrived at Trivatoor, twenty-two miles from Arcot.
Riza Sahib had heard of his approach; and sent a large body of troops, with two guns, to attack him.