1 Gholab Sing), whose head, together with tljo.se of Heera Sing,
2 Jeilah Pundit, &e., Stc., was brought as a trophy to the
3 capital.
4 It cannot escape tire attention of an observer who has followed
5 the course of the political changes at that period, that in this
6 party contention a great deal of bloodshed and mischief might
7 have been averted from the country, if the Sikhs had been
8 endowed with more penetration, and if, instead of defending the
9 cause of Heera Sing’s party, they had ringed themselves under
10 the banner of Ajoet Sing, and supported his interest, Tf they
11 had arrested Heera Sing, as the circumstances then imperatively
12 required, they Would not only have prevented every future
13 struggle, but brought also into their possession all the immense
14 treasures which were at Heera Sing’s disposal. Hut. the proverb
15 says, “ Quart Dens vult perdt re , prim dement.at''
16 1 intend to give to my readers a true picture of what happened
17 to me at the assassination of Sheer Sing, being an involuntary
18 spectator at this ferocious scene; and how I escaped the
19 perils which threatened my own person. At the moment I
20 heard the firing of the guns, and perceived all the people in
21 motion, taking theV weapons, I felt persuaded that the locality
22 was not an gsylunj for a tranquil man; so I looked for n passage
23 to make my es'ape from the garden—the scene of horror—and
24 betake myself to the spot where I had left my horse and
25 servants. These were still waiting, at a place which was
26 separated from me by a small low garden wall, and a namw
27 ditch. I hastened towards them, jumped over the wall and
28 ditch, and arrived safely at the spot. It was by a fortunate
29 chance that I took this direction for my escape; my people
30 telling me afterwards, that at the great entrance to the
31 garden the bullets hissed and flew about, and that they were
32 in great anxiety for my life. Thus I was saved in a critical
33 moment, by taking a firm resolution, without any hesitation.
34 Having said thus much about my own preservation, I will
35 now proceed with my narrative.
36 At the time of Sheer Sing’s reign, we mustered about twenty