from Madura to partake in their hostilities: nevertheless, some hopes of reconciliation still remained; for some of the Jemautdars, although the lesser number, were averse to the turbulent proceedings of the others, and wished an accommodation on the terms which had once been so nearly concluded: he therefore determined to make another trial, and sent Mr. William Rumbold, a lieutenant of his garrison, who talked the languages of the country, together with the interpreter, to renew the negotiation. They were escorted by a company of Sepoys, and arrived at Madura on the third of December, and on the next day came into the town Berkatoolah, with his cavalry, which had been beaten by Mahomed Issoof.
Maphuze Cawn received Mr. Rumbold with much civility, and in a private conference acknowledged his errors, apologized for his conduct, and promised to accompany him to Tritchinopoly; but neither of them suspected that a person had been placed behind a curtain to listen to their conversation. About an hour after the visit, the Jemautdar Seer Cawn, with a body of horse, beset Maphuze Cawn's house, and made him a prisoner; and after a message which was not complied with, sent 30 horsemen to force Mr. Rumbold out of the city; who, having no means of resistance, obeyed, and rejoined his escort, which he had left at a choultry on the other side of the river. As soon as he was gone, Seer Cawn assembled all the Jemautdars, whom he persuaded that Maphuze Cawn intended to sell them and the city. When they were sufficiently inflamed, Berkatoolah came in, and war was determined: but, whilst they were deliberating on the manner of conducting it, came a letter, from Mr. Rumbold, threatening the utmost vengeance of the English nation for the indignity which had been offered to its representative in his person; and the immediate return of Mahomed Issoof with all the Company's Sepoys was held out as an earnest of this resolution. The Jemautdars, startled at the expressions of indignation in Mr. Rumbold's letter, agreed to invite him to return. He refused, without public reparation; of which they permitted him to dictate the mode; conformable to which, Maphuze Cawn, with all the Jemautdars came the next morning to the choultry, made many apologies, and
