1 ‘THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAUB. “105
2 fastened round their turbans. The quoit is an
3 arm peculiar to this race of people. It is a steel
4 ring, varying from six to nine inches in diameter»
5 and about an inch in breadth, very thin, and the
6 edges ground very sharp. They throw it with more
7 force than dexterity; but not so (as alleged) as to
8 be able to lop off a limb at sixty or eighty yards.
9 In general, the bystanders are in greater danger
10 than the object aimed at. Runjeet Singh did
11 much towards reducing this worthless race of
12 people to a state of subjection; but he only par-
13 tially succeeded, and, latterly, they have become
14 more intolerant than ever. They, however, fight
15 with desperation, and are always employed upon
16 the most dangerous service. In 1815, when the
17 Maharajah’s army was investing the city of
18 Mooltan, the Affghans made so protracted and
19 determined a resistance, that Runjeet Singh was
20 induced to offer very advantageous terms com-
21 pared to what he was in the habit of doing under
22 similar circumstances ; and during the progress of
23 the negotiations, an Akalee, named Sadhoo Singh,
24 with a few companions, advanced to the fausse
25 braye, and without orders, in one of their fits of
26 enthusiasm, attacked the Affghans, who were
27 either sleeping or careless on their watch, and
28 killed every man. The Sikh army took advantage
29 of the opportunity ; and rushing on, in two hours
30 earried the citadel, Muzuffer Khan and his four