‘Most wise.’ Arthur turned back to examine the defences. ‘Of course, time is against us. We have a little over six weeks before the monsoon season. When that comes, the south Cauvery will be unfordable until November. If we don’t take the city before the middle of May, then we’ll have to retreat all the way back to Vellore empty handed.’

Fitzroy glanced at his superior. ‘In which event, I doubt the Governor General will be in the best of moods.’

‘You can’t imagine.’

The site chosen by General Harris for the army’s camp was three miles from the ford.The wide expanse of the Cauvery protected them from the north. The Nizam’s army was positioned to the south of the main force and Arthur’s men were given the task of constructing a defence line to guard the camp from any attacks from the south and west. Meanwhile, Tipoo had not been idle. Having seen the direction from which Harris would attack he moved quickly to fortify the mainland side of the south Cauvery with a series of trenches and earthworks on which he mounted some of his artillery. Between the two armies the ground was open except for a nullah, an earth aqueduct that snaked across the landscape, rising several feet above the surrounding rice fields.To the right of the British position it looped around a tope in one direction before winding back round the village of Sultanpettah.

As light faded the day after the army had encamped, General Harris summoned Arthur to his headquarters and both men leaned over a map of the territory around the enemy’s capital. Harris pointed to the tope. ‘The enemy have been firing rockets into our lines from these trees all afternoon. I want them cleared out of there. If you can take and hold this area then we can get some guns forward to enfilade their defences this side of the south Cauvery.’

Arthur looked at the map. ‘What do we know about the nullah, sir? Is it fordable?’

‘I imagine you’ll discover that soon enough,’ Harris replied tersely.

Arthur straightened up. ‘Would it not be a good idea to send out a small party to reconnoitre first, sir? Before we try anything with the whole regiment in the dark.’

Harris frowned. ‘Colonel, we do not have the luxury of time to do that. Now you have your orders, so carry them out.’ He paused and then added shrewdly, ‘Unless you would like me to give the job to Baird.’

‘I’ll go, sir.’ Arthur replied stiffly.

‘Good. Then you’d best prepare your regiment right away. I want that tope in our hands by first light.’