with ten [i. e. a few] men, afterwards the whole of their force

entered. If we venture to do them any wrong, they are Pathans :* as our Master has fallen into their hands, we hesitate, for there is no knowing what evil they may do him. If you will frame any scheme by which you can get our Master into the palace, afterwards we will obey your orders to the utmost of our power." Thus said they, and gave their word.

13. This (Swami f) Confessor and Chenna Basavappa " these two"J suggested the following plan. c The wicket gate [or Sallyport] alone is not in their hands. Our labourers carry on the tillage in our own land, and bring grass for the cattle and firewood for the Household [Nagari]. You should pass on, armed, and when you come near the threshing floor in our fields, you may pack your weapons in bundles of hay : then mix with our labourers : and if ten or twenty of you daily come thus with weapons and enter with them into the house where the milch buffaloes are in the old Fort [Nagari,] meat and drink shall be provided for you from within.'

After so saying, they sent into the suburbs for a blacksmith and made him bring a file : with which they cut the bolt of the wicket gate between the outer chamber and the hall of audience : thus they made the way [sa-sutram] clear.

14. Soon(*) there were [accordingly] two hundred men gathered 9 armed, in the fort. They called the former feudatories [seruva] and said, Remain ye with your troop, in the outer suburbs : when we give you the sign, come armed to the stone gateway of the town, and stand ready. Accordingly all the men in the suburbs stood prepared. That night, about eight o'clock]] the [Turkish] captains placed here three sepoys as a guard (over the laird,) and went away to take their supper (which was prepared) according to their own fashion ^f