1 der-in-chief to his court! It was in vain that we
2 pleaded our humble situation of Assistant-surgeon
3 UISTOllV OP THIS SIKHS.
4 279
5 in the Honourable Company’s Service, urging that
6 such an honour must devolve on the political agent
7 of the north-west frontiers ! He said this might be
8 all very true, but that we were liis (the Maharajah’s)
9 friend and medical adviser, and that he would
10 prefer our undertaking the task. In short, he
11 would admit of no explanation or refusal, and his
12 treasurer was ordered to disburse the necessary
13 funds for providing a marriage dress! The affair
14 was ridiculous enough, though the Maharajah was
15 perfectly in earnest, and we were obliged to pro¬
16 mise that we would return with the Commander-in-
17 chief or the Jungee* Lord, either as an attendant
18 upon or in charge of that high functionary.
19 it may not be here out of place, to give an ex¬
20 ample of the momentous effects sometimes spring¬
21 ing from humble causes. In his negotiations with
22 Captain Wade, the political agent, the Maharajah
23 became annoyed at some delay, and determined to
24 get rid of the political agent, not by sending him
25 away from Lahore, but by taking his own departure
26 and leaving the agent to his solitary cogitations.
27 One evening, the Fukeer Azeezoodeen called upon
28 us with the Maharajah’s compliments, saying, it was
29 the wish of the latter, that we'should accompany
30 him cm the morrow, and that a tent would be
31 pitched for our reception. Knowing nothing of