1 66 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 and indeed they would have continued inoperative, had he
3 not, attended by Dehan Sing and many officers, person-
4 ally gone among the troops, and by gifts and persuasions in-
5 duced them to desist. Again, when the Dogra garrison
6 marched out of the fort at night, and proceeded to encamp
7 at Shahdera, they would have been attacked by the Seik
8 troops at Jewalla Sing's instigation, had it not been that Shere
9 Sing and Dehan Sing learning their intention, were personally
10 on the alert to prevent its being carried into effect.
11 All these things were well known to the Dogra Chiefs,
12 and the knowledge served to enrage them against the am-
13 bitious Mooktear, and led them to determine on a mur-
14 derous revenge. Having determined on the destruction of
15 their enemy, their first step was to rob him of the confidence
16 and favour of his master. Their plans for this purpose were
17 so well devised and skilfully executed, that it was not long ere
18 Shere Sing regarded his too zealous servant as a secret, deep,
19 and crafty foe. With this suspicion in his heart, the Maharajh
20 commanded Jewalla Sing into his presence to account for his
21 conduct j but the Mooktear, then encamped at Shalimar with a
22 body of six thousand cavalry, who were in his interest, apprehen-
23 sive of the intentions of his master, refused to obey the sum-
24 mons. In this contumacy he was encouraged and countenanced
25 by his troops, who declared that they would either excuse him
26 to the Maharajh, or, if necessary, protect him against the
27 anger of his master. This conduct of Jewalla Sing, of course
28 enraged the Maharajh still more, while it served to con-
29 firm the suspicions which he had already entertained of Jewalla
30 Sing's treachery. After waiting, therefore, for about twenty-
31 four hours to give time for his revolted servant to return to
32 his duty, if so disposed, he put himself at the head of all the
33 troops in and about Lahore, and attended by Rajah Dehan
34 Sing and a numerous train of Sirdars, went forth against the
35 contumacious Mooktear. He found Jewalla Sing at Shalimar,