1 2M&
2 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS.
3 Eunjeet would not like our troops eo near to Mm,
4 but this objection might perhaps be overcomp, oh
5 assuring him that the step was altogether for his
6 own good, and for the purpose of securing, the easy
7 succession of his son to the throne. The only
8 difficulty in the matte? would arise from the hope
9 which he cherishes, that lie bar yet many years to
10 live* and that the cantoning of troops at Feerozpore
11 would appear like anticipating his speedy death.
12 His advisers might urge, how can the Maharajah
13 be assured of a lasting peace between himself
14 and the British ? Some cause for a quarrel may
15 arise, for the settlement of which he could not
16 make concessions consistent with his dignity as
17 an independent sovereign; the British becoming
18 offended, war is waged, and the force at Feerozpore
19 speedily crosses the G-harra and reaches the gates
20 of Lahore This reasoning is, however, more
21 specious than just, for were Eunjeet equal to a
22 contest with the British, there might be some
23 reason for his objecting to an armed force being
24 stationed at Feerozpore; but however much his
25 Si
26 Ml
27 I
28 m0
29 .
30 lie has discernment to see at a glance the unequal
31 nature of a struggle with his allies, though there
32 is every likelihood that if ins honour or that
33 of his kingdom were compromised, he would try
34 the issue. When Feerozpore fell into the pos¬
35 session of the British in 1835, Eunjeet no doubt
36 anticipated that it would be occupied by our
37 troops, for he erected temporary buildings between
38 .
39 m
40 fill® i ii ||1