322 THE STRUGGLES OF DUPLEIX WITH ADVERSITY. C vn P Ignorant of this, however, d'Auteuil set out on the
- , evening of the 25th, taking a route to the westward ;
1752. but he had not proceeded far before intelligence reached him that Clive, apprised of his movements, was on his march to intercept him ; he accordingly returned to Utatur. Clive, learning this, moved back upon Samiaveram. Meanwhile, however, Law had learned from one of the messengers sent by d'Auteuil of his intended march. Certain information reached him, at the same time, of Clive's intention to intercept him. Here was a splendid opportunity. By making a forced march of ten miles from Srirangam with his whole force, he might seize Samiaveram whilst Clive should be engaged with d'Auteuil, and then press on to crush the former in the field. Of the many chances granted to the French leader, this was the last and not the least tempting, — not the least likely to lead to great and important consequences. To have even a probability of success, however, it was requisite that Law should move with the bulk of his force, and should move with the rapidity of lightning. But this unfortunate leader, though a little braced up by the intelligence of the approach of d'Auteuil, was still incapable of real vigour or energy. Instead of moving himself at the head of his force, he detached only 80 Europeans, of whom 40 were English deserters, and 700 sipahis,* to carry out a scheme, upon the success or ill-success of which depended the domination of the French or English in India. This detachment approached Samiaveram after Clive had returned from his fruitless search after d'Auteuil. Little thinking, from his experience of the character of Law, that there was the smallest fear of an attack from the side of Srirangam, Clive had made no pre- parations to meet one, and had gone quietly to bed. The French detachment, meanwhile, had arrived at the
- Orme.
