Page:History of the French in India.djvu/331

BAKING POLICY OF DUPLEIX. 307 Dupleix was terribly mortified at this failure. For the C y 1 | p * moment indeed it entirely upset his plans. The defeat '. at Kavaripak had not only deprived him of soldiers whom 1752. he could scarcely spare, of field-artillery that was priceless; but it had cast down the spirits of his native allies to an unprecedented and even dangerous degree. No longer could he hope by their aid to effect a diversion in the northern part of the Karnatik. The English had not only gained territory, but with it, of more importance, the confidence of the military class. Desertion by wholesale had taken place from the French to the English standard. More than one important satrap had renounced his adherence to Chanda Sahib, and taken the oath of fidelity to the besieged Muhammad Ali. And this was the consequence of the victories of Clive, of the repeated defeats sustained by the French, more especially of the fatal disaster at Kavaripak. To see advantages there so nearly gained, so carelessly abandoned, was more than even the composed spirit of Dupleix could bear. Those of his own officers indeed whom he could have made responsible for the disaster had either been captured or killed. Upon Raju Sahib, whose incapacity had been conspicuous, the weight, therefore, of his anger fell. For several days he refused to see him, and when at last they did meet, he showed towards the son of Chanda Sahib a contempt, which it was impossible for him, practised as he was in dealing with native princes, to conceal. But though mortified beyond measure at the ill-success of plans which so well deserved to succeed, Dupleix still adhered to that bold and daring policy which he justly regarded as more than ever necessary to the attainment of his vast plans. What had been lost in the northern Karnatik might be gained in the south. TrichinapalH might make amends for Arkat and Kavaripak. And now, TrichinapalH was apparently at its last gasp. Without money, with little ammunition, with deficient and failing supplies, with a European commandant x 2