862 BUSSY TO 17- "54. chap. W cre about that day to endeavour to surpass all their VIII r, former deeds of valour. At full speed, though without 1751. order, with spear in rest, shouting victory, they charged. But the nerves of the little band of Frenchmen were not shaken. Standing at their guns, they waited coolly the order of their commander. When it came, dis- charges of grape and cannister, not single but con- tinued, combined with a never-ceasing tile firing from the infantry, told the Maratha horsemen what kind of enemy this was against whom they would have to contend for empire. The result was never doubtful. After a few rounds the Maratha horse could bear no more. They turned their horses' heads and disappeared.* Bussy was not the man to allow a victory to remain barren. He pursuaded the Subadar to march instantly towards Puna, not stopping to listen to the offers of the Peshwa for accommodation, but to move straight upon, the capital. There were, however, as is usual with an oriental army, wheels within wheels. Balaji Bajf Kao was on bad terms with Tara Bai, the grandmother of the youth- ful Raja of Satara, and she was even then disputing his right to govern for her grandson. With her, there- fore, to weaken Balaji, the advisers of Salabat Jang had entered into communication. On the other hand, Balaji, recognising at once the value of the services rendered by the French contingent to the Subadar, endeavoured, by all those means so common at an oriental court, to excite amongst the the nobles of the Dakhan jealousy of the French leader, by attributing to him personal motives and private ambition. We shall see that both these efforts bore their fruit in their season. Little caring for, probably ignorant of, these intri-
- The author of the " Seir Mutak- way with an army of 50,000 horse,
herin," a Muhammadan, thus writes but was defeated ; at which time the of the battle, "Balaji Rao, without French with their musketry and suffering him (Salabat Jang) to their expeditious artillery drew come so far (as Puna), met him half smoke from the Maratha breasts."
