1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 133
2 rendered uncomfortable by the loss they had sus-
3 tained in their baggage.
4 Runjoor Singh, the younger brother of Lena
5 Singh Majeetheea, commanded the portion of the
6 Sikh army intended to act against Loodianah, as
7 well as to seize the siege train in progress to join
8 the head quarters of the army. Both these objects ¢., sorry
9 were to be kept in view by Sir Harry Smith: had See
10 he stopped to return the fire of the Sikhs at Rarer
11 Buddeewal, all fears for Loodianah might have
12 been removed; but then there was the risk, that,
13 if discomfited, Runjoor Singh might have crossed
14 the country and seized the siege train, which was
15 only escorted by a Native infantry regiment, and
16 the 11th light cavalry, with some artillery-men.
17 The condition of Sir Harry Smith’s troops at Bud-
18 deewal was such, that he could not, effectually,
19 hope to drive Runjoor Singh across the Sutlej that
20 day; and he probably considered half measures
21 worse than useless. Besides, though making a
22 great sacrifice of baggage and even of lives, there
23 was the hope that his forbearance would be con-
24 strued into fear by the Sikhs; who might, in con-
25 sequence, be induced to meet him in a fair field,
26 when he would have an opportunity of accomplish-
27 ing the two objects he had in view: namely, the
28 defence of Loodianah and the safety of the train ;
29 winding up, perhaps, with the total defeat of the
30 Sikhs, when his troops should be a little refreshed.
31 Runjoor Singh was in possession of a large
32 number of guns, and his army more than doubled