1 An attack
2 n» ade on the
3 .fart.
4 The ft*jabs
5 defeated.
6 84 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS,
7 for this purpose great numbers of pathans, who
8 were in general faithful] servants. Govind on the
9 present-occasion was well aware of their value, and
10 he offered them anj sum of money, if they would
11 remain with him; they, however, refused to listtm
12 to any terms, and were, in consequence, discharged.
13 When Govind’s followers saw the 500 horsemen
14 leaving the fort, they became alarmed, as they
15 knew well that in the mounted branch they had
16 no chance with the horsemen, even of the hill
17 rajahs.
18 Govind saw that the desertion of the pathans
19 had produced a bad effect, and he lost no time in
20 addressing his people, advising them to be at ease
21 so far as regarded the pathans, since they were a
22 vile ungrateful set of rascals, whose absence was
23 rather to be wished for, as their presence could be
24 of no use to him.
25 After quitting the fort, the pathans repented of
26 their act, and wished to return; but they were
27 pursued and cut to pieces, and only a few of their
28 numbers reached the rajahs. >#fc
29 Next day, a fierce attack was made on the fort,
30 which was defended by Govind Singh with great
31 bravery; vast numbers were killed on both sides,
32 and among the rest 'Hume Chund, the Rajah of
33 Hindour, His followers, on seeing their leader
34 fall, fled in great disorder, and others soon followed
35 their example. Govind Singh pursued t he fugitives,
36 and slaughtered great numbers.
37 After this decisive victory, the Gooroo proceeded—