1 M!W $m
2 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS,
3 20a
4 ik\s; and the whole of this space,
5 as well as the country for miles around, was
6 covered by dense masses of living beings- The
7 road by which the elephants proceeded was ren¬
8 dered almost impassable by beggars collected from
9 ail parts of the Punjab; and it was surprising to
10 witness the sagacity with which these docile
11 animals threaded their way, without injuring any
12 one, unless compelled to do so, through the rash
13 and injudicious conduct of the Mahouts, who ap¬
14 peared only intent on getting their elephants close
15 to the one on which Runjeet and Sir Henry Fane
16 were seated, in the same hbwdah. On reaching t he
17 fort of Attaree the whole party dismounted from
18 their elephants> on a flight of steps leading to an
19 open terrace, where the Maharajah and his guests
20 were received by the old sirdar Sham Singh, the
21 bride’s father. Chairs were here placed for the whole
22 party. After the display of some Are-balloons,
23 which ascended to a great elevation, Runjeet and
24 Sir Henry, together with all the sirdars and British
25 officers, took their departure, and returned to camp.
26 Fireworks had been erected all the way between
27 Attaree and Runjeet’s camp, and Sir Henry was
28 invited to witness their effect in the evening. At
29 the hour appointed, the Commander-in-chief and
30 Iris staff proceeded to Runjeet’s camp, and found
31 the Maharajah ready to receive them, under a rich
32 canopy with canauts stretching out on both sides.
33 After The shaking of hands, the whole party was
34 seated; the Commander-in-chief being on Runjeet’s
35 voi,. i. p ' : -