1 mtsrqy.
2 H1ST0HY OF T|| SIKHS.
3 239
4 wM* Captain Wade and Lieutenant Maoke-
5 son, on our way to join the Maharajah’s camp on
6 a hunting excursion ; having a strong escort with
7 us, they took no further notice than to raise a
8 shout. I had occasion to return to Lahore in the
9 evening, and had. ten horsemen as an escort. On
10 approaching Lahore, I met a solitary lik
11 horseman at some distance from their encamp¬
12 ment, which I had purposely avoided. He spoke
13 a few words to my escort and then galloped off;
14 .shortly after this, on turning round, I observed
15 about twenty Ukalees mounted on horseback, and
16 coming at full speed, shouting and flourishing
17 thejr swords. As they were evidently intoxicated,
18 1 was determined not to risk a quarrel with them;
19 and on their coming up, I asked what they wanted?
20 They said they were starving, and wanted money ;
21 i replied, that I had no rupees about me. Not
22 being satisfied with this, they endeavoured to come
23 nearer, and nearer, while my escort advised me to
24 ride oft’, f did not, however, follow this sugges¬
25 tion, and took no further notice of them. When
26 they found that 1 was not likely to comply with
27 'heir demands, they set oil at full g’allop, shouting
28 apd uttering all manner of abuse. Next morning,
29 on my return to camp, Runjeet made enquiries
30 regarding the adventure of which he had heard,
31 assuring me that they were his servants, and that I
32 had no cause of alarm. Be this as it may, I
33 should not have much trust in their forbearance in
34 a retired spot, and without any escort j. the latter