1 354 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS.
2 -
3 tish guns can do. The surrender of this strong
4 fort, which held out under Sunsar Chund against
5 the Goorkha chief, Unmur Singh, for four years,
6 must have created wonder among the Natives;
7 but Soondur Singh knew well how. little chance
8 there existed of his being able to follow the daring
9 example of the Kutoch Rajah, against a British
10 force complete in all the implements of war. He
11 considered prudence the better part of valour. As
12 we before surmised, Major Lawrence was not
13 likely to accept any thing short of an uncondi-
14 tional surrender; though it would, no doubt, have
15 pleased the Sikh government better had less
16 stringent terms been enforced. The energy and
17 determination displayed by Major Lawrence, have
18 been conspicuous on all occasions; and the Sikhs
19 have already discovered that the Governor-gene-
20 ral’s agent is not to be tampered with, or talked
21 over by their smooth words and deceitful promises.
22 Such a man is alone capable of sustaining our
23 supremacy among a people who thoroughly detest
24 us, and who will lose no opportunity of indirectly
25 thwarting the British authorities. Soondur Singh
26 may probably be able to enlighten the agent, re-
27 garding his conduct in refusing to obey the re-
28 peated orders of his own government ; and it may
29 transpire, that he was merely an instrument for the
30 execution of a measure which has entailed great
31 trouble and expense on the British Government.
32 Be this as it may, tke fall of Kangra will have a
33 mact haneficial effect an the hill tribes. who will