Page:History of the French in India.djvu/110

88 THE RISE OF THE FRENCH TOWER IN INDIA. chap. Chanda Sahib were in safety behind the walls of Pondi- , chery. He was well aware that Raghujf Bhonsla, their 1740. leader, had expressed his determination to make the French suffer for their audacity ; and he, in common with the other chiefs of the Karnatik, had been struck with admiration at the quietly defiant attitude assumed by M. Dumas. His object in visiting him now was to thank and to reward him. He was quickened in this also, by a message his mother sent him from Pondi- chery, desiring to see him. Chanda Sahib, who knew little of the storm that was brewing against him, and who had already at Arkat offered homage to his brother- in-law as Nawwab of the Karnatik and his liege lord, accompanied him on this occasion to Pondi chery. There they arrived on the evening of September 1, 1740, and were received with great demonstrations of friendship and respect by M. Dumas, in a tent, splendidly adorned and illuminated, without the walls. After resting there some time, Safdar Ali was conducted to the house which had been set apart for his mother and sisters in the public gardens. Here he remained for two days in mourning and seclusion. On the 4th, Safdar Ali paid a visit of state to M. Dumas. He thanked him repeatedly for the courtesy and hospitality extended to the members of his father's family, at a season of great difficulty and danger ; declared that it should never be forgotten, and that henceforth the French should be as much the masters of the Karnatik as he himself was. Although these words were merely the expression of the oriental form of gratitude, and were doubtless only taken as such, the Nawwab had evidently deemed it sound policy on his part to con- ciliate M. Dumas by some practical proof of his esteem. Simultaneously with the announcement of his arrival at Pondichery, he had delivered to the French Governor a parchment conferring upon him personally lands border- ing on the southern territory of Pondichery, bringing in