This, however, the enemy never even attempted, contenting themselves with ravaging the place outside the walls of the fort.
The little garrison of Arcot, two hundred men in all, were astonished at the news; that the province, which they had thought completely conquered, was again in flames; that the road to Madras was cut, by the occupation of Conjeveram by the French; and that Madras itself was, save the fort, in the hands of the enemy.

The fort itself, they knew, might easily be taken, as they were aware that it was defended by only eighty men.
The change in the position was at once manifest, in the altered attitude of the fickle population.

The main body of the inhabitants of Southern India were Hindoos, who had for centuries been ruled by foreign masters.

The Mohammedans from the north had been their conquerors, and the countless wars which had taken place, to them signified merely whether one family or another were to reign over them.

The sole desire was for peace and protection; and they, therefore, ever inclined towards the side which seemed strongest.
Their sympathies were no stronger with their Mohammedan rulers than with the French or English, and they only hoped that whatever power was strongest might conquer; and that, after the hostilities were over, their daily work might be conducted in peace, and their property and possessions be enjoyed in security.