1 18 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS,
2 Mist Tall’ and Misr Lall Singh, who afterwards became so
3 ‘ingh brings
4 hic news of ts conspicuous in the war with the British as a Sirdar,
5 Singh. was dispatched to bring Heera Singh into the fort.
6 The young Rajah knew that the death of Shere
7 Singh had been determined on, but he never sus-
8 pected that his own father would share the same
9 fate; he had absented himself on purpose that
10 morning, and gone to Monsieur Avatabili’s house,
11 where Lall Singh found him haranguing the troops
12 and telling them not to mind the death of the
13 Maharajah. The news of the Wuzeer’s death
14 alarmed Heera Singh, and he’ ascended the terrace
15 of Ayatabili’s house and seated himself there,
16 leaving the sentry to keep a good look out, and
17 allow no one to follow him. He then dispatched a
18 Meera Singh message to the several Sirdars requesting their
19 Sirdars. immediate attendance. They soon arrived, when,
20 the young Rajah unbuckling his sword laid it
21 before them and bared his neck. He said, “ The
22 sword has this day deprived my father of life. I am
23 left alone and fatherless, and I now throw myself
24 on you; either kill me or give me your support.”
25 The appeal had the desired effect, and they all
26 ‘They promise Promised to support Heera Singh, who next ad-
27 um?" dressed the soldiers and promised an advance to
28 each of three rupees a month if they would obey
29 him. The proposition was received with loud
30 cheers. Ajeet Singh, in the mean time, had caused
31 are Dhuleep Singh to be proclaimed Maharajah by
32 bimeall beat of drum, and himself Wuzeer. During the
33 night Heera Singh reached the Delhi gate, followed