1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS, 87
2 this knotty point with Runjeet Singh, and though
3 unwilling to flatly contradict an assertion supported
4 by those who might have some object in view in
5 advancing it, we merely referred him to the battles
6 in the Peninsula, where the two nations had
7 measured arms with each other. This excited his Anxious to
8 curiosity, and he was most anxious to ascertain the sui an
9 merits of the
10 merits of the case, and asked in what book he British and
11 could find information. We referred him to Ereuch
12 Napier’s celebrated work, and even promised to
13 make, or get a translation of it made, into the Oordoo
14 or Persian language, for his express use. The idea
15 pleased him, and with that energy which marked
16 the character of this wonderful man, he insisted
17 that the book should be sent for inimediately !
18 His state of health and impaired strength at that
19 period, forbade any hopes of his ever regaining
20 either, and the subject was lost sight of. Notwith- bette! ee
21 standing his belief in the superiority of the Khalsa farmer,
22 troops, he never once hinted that they were a
23 match for the “Ungrez Buhadoor,’ or the “ warlike
24 English,” as he was always wont to style the British
25 soldiers ; he said he had heard of the latter perform-
26 ing extraordinary long marches for a succession of
27 days, weeks, and months, and yet when called upon
28 to fight, entering the field with as much freshness
29 and courage as they would have exhibited had they
30 had no previous heavy marches. He doubted if the
31 Khalsas would be able to accomplish such a feat, and
32 asked our opinion on the subject. We corroborated
33 Selanne had hoard Peni block Dloskekeek ses iis eo