Although the enemy had been beaten there was no question of continuing the pursuit into the night. Tipoo still had a strong force of horsemen in the field and General Harris knew it would be folly to attempt a pursuit which would scatter his cavalry in the face of such a danger.As the army and camp followers settled around the large village for the night in a vast square of tents and glittering fires, Arthur, accompanied by Fitzroy, rode over to General Harris’s headquarters to make his report. The 33rd had only lost two men, victims of lucky shots fired from the enemy column they had shattered with their first, close range volley.

‘Did your boys get a chance to take ’em on with the bayonet?’ Harris asked.

‘No, sir.’ Fitzroy smiled. ‘The enemy didn’t quite stand up to that.’

‘Hah!’ Harris grinned with derision. ‘So much for the tiger warriors of Mysore.After today, I doubt that we’ll see much more of them before we reach Seringapatam.’

‘I hope that’s the case, sir,’ Arthur replied.

‘Of course it is. They’ll not dare to chance their arm against massed volleys again, mark my words.’

He clapped Arthur on the shoulder and turned as Major General Baird entered the tent to make his report. He had lost twenty-nine men from his brigade, but Harris was content with the estimated tally of enemy dead accounted for by Baird’s men and did not censure the reckless advance of the King’s 74th. As Harris moved on to the next officer Baird approached Arthur.

‘Good evening, sir.’ Arthur saluted.

‘Wellesley,’ Baird acknowledged in an even tone. He was not smiling and his brow was faintly furrowed as he continued, with evident reluctance, ‘I suppose I should thank you for intervening earlier. The timing of the flank attack was well judged.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

Baird stared at him for a moment, then nodded. ‘Yes, well, I just wanted to express my gratitude, Wellesley. That’s all. Good evening to you. And you, Fitzroy.’

He turned and walked away, back to the cluster of officers from his brigade.

‘Cheerful soul,’ Fitzroy muttered. ‘And so gracious in his appreciation of being rescued.’

‘Baird’s a tough one,’ Arthur replied. ‘It wasn’t easy for him to offer his thanks. He’ll have his chance to prove his worth once we reach Seringapatam.’

‘What makes you think that?’ Fitzroy smiled. ‘After today’s thrashing, I doubt Tipoo and his men will stand their ground a moment after we start firing at them.’

‘Don’t be too sure,’ Arthur replied. ‘Today was just a delaying action. Once we reach Seringapatam Tipoo and his men will defend their city to the death.Then I fear we’ll discover just how dangerous the warriors of Mysore can be.’

Chapter 48 - Seringapatam, April 1799

Chapter 48

Seringapatam, April 1799