DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25987#0434
cxxvnt
APPENDIX.
that I was deputed by tbe General, wbo commanded tbe troops in the
fort, to offer them their lives, provided they did not make resistance ;
of which I desired them to give immediate intimation to their Suitaun.
in a short time the killedar, another officer of consequence, and a confi-
dential servant, came over the terrace of the front building, and descended
by an unfinished part of tire wall. They were greatly embarrassed, and
appeared inclined to create delays ; probably with a vtew of effecting their
escape as soon as the darkness of the night should afford them an oppor-
tunity. f pointed out the danger ol their situation, and the necessity of
coming to an immediate determination, pledging myself for their protec-
tion, and proposing that they should allow me to go into the palace, that
I might in person give these assurances to Tippoo. They were very averse
to this proposal, but f positively insisted on returning with them, f de-
sired Captain Scohey, who speaks tire native languages with great fluency,
to accompany me, and Captain Hastings Fraser. We ascended by the
broken wall, and lowered ourselves down on a terr ace, where a lar ge body
of armed men were assembled. I explained to them, that the flag which I
held m my hand was a pledge of security, provided no resistance was
made; and the stronger to impress them with this belief, I took off my
sword, which I insisted upon their receiving. The kilieder, and many
others affirmed, that the princes and the frmily of Tippoo were in the
palace, hut not the Suitaun. They appeared greatly alarmed, and averse
to coming to any decision, f told them, that delay might he attended with
fatal consequences ; and that I could not answer for the conduct of our
troops, by whom they were surrounded, and whose fury was with chfh-
culty restrained. They then felt me, and shor tly after f observed people
moving hastily backwards and forwards in the interior of the palace ; and,
as there were many hundreds of Tippoo's troops within the the walls, f
began to think our situation rather critical- I was advised to tafe hack my
swor d ; hut such an act, on my part, might, by exciting their distrust,
have kindled a flame, which, in the present temper of the troops, might
have been attended with the most dreadful consequences; probably the
massacre of every soul within the palace waifs. The people on the terrace
APPENDIX.
that I was deputed by tbe General, wbo commanded tbe troops in the
fort, to offer them their lives, provided they did not make resistance ;
of which I desired them to give immediate intimation to their Suitaun.
in a short time the killedar, another officer of consequence, and a confi-
dential servant, came over the terrace of the front building, and descended
by an unfinished part of tire wall. They were greatly embarrassed, and
appeared inclined to create delays ; probably with a vtew of effecting their
escape as soon as the darkness of the night should afford them an oppor-
tunity. f pointed out the danger ol their situation, and the necessity of
coming to an immediate determination, pledging myself for their protec-
tion, and proposing that they should allow me to go into the palace, that
I might in person give these assurances to Tippoo. They were very averse
to this proposal, but f positively insisted on returning with them, f de-
sired Captain Scohey, who speaks tire native languages with great fluency,
to accompany me, and Captain Hastings Fraser. We ascended by the
broken wall, and lowered ourselves down on a terr ace, where a lar ge body
of armed men were assembled. I explained to them, that the flag which I
held m my hand was a pledge of security, provided no resistance was
made; and the stronger to impress them with this belief, I took off my
sword, which I insisted upon their receiving. The kilieder, and many
others affirmed, that the princes and the frmily of Tippoo were in the
palace, hut not the Suitaun. They appeared greatly alarmed, and averse
to coming to any decision, f told them, that delay might he attended with
fatal consequences ; and that I could not answer for the conduct of our
troops, by whom they were surrounded, and whose fury was with chfh-
culty restrained. They then felt me, and shor tly after f observed people
moving hastily backwards and forwards in the interior of the palace ; and,
as there were many hundreds of Tippoo's troops within the the walls, f
began to think our situation rather critical- I was advised to tafe hack my
swor d ; hut such an act, on my part, might, by exciting their distrust,
have kindled a flame, which, in the present temper of the troops, might
have been attended with the most dreadful consequences; probably the
massacre of every soul within the palace waifs. The people on the terrace