1 CHAPTER V.
2 THE ASSASSINATION OF SHERE SING AND DEHAN SING.
3 Rajah Goolaub Sing had but just arrived at Jummoo
4 when his brother Dehan Sing, the Wuzeer, wrote to him., in-
5 forming' him of his differences with the Maharajh Shere Sing-,
6 and requesting' him to repair to Lahore to consult on the policy
7 to be adopted under the circumstances. He accordingly
8 hastened to the capital, and after a very short stay, returned
9 home again. In that brief visit, however, the line of conduct
10 •to be pursued was determined on by the brothers in consulta-
11 tion • and it will soon be seen what it was and how it was
12 carried out.
13 Lena Sing, a chief of the Scindawalla family, had been
14 imprisoned by Shere Sing* for the part which he had taken
15 against him on his accession. Uttur Sing and his nephew
16 Ajeet Sing had taken refuge in the Company's territory at
17 Tanaisur, from which place the latter went to Calcutta.
18 They now, through female influence, and on the inter-
19 cession of Bii Ram Sing,* were recalled from exile, and
20 Lena Sing was released from confinement. On receiving
21 * This Bii Ram Sing, now for the first time appeared on the stage of political life.
22 He never was a friend of Bii Goormuck Sing, whom he considered his rival in
23 the favour of Shere Sing, and these two religieuz understood each other so well
24 that they cherished heneath their robes of sanctity an enmity too deep to meet
25 the vulgar eye. Bii Goormuck Sing and Misser Belee Ram were united in policy,
26 fate, and fortune; and Misser Belee Ram and his family were the deadly foes of
27 Rajah Lall Sing and his family. Bii Ram Sing, on the other hand, was a staunch
28 supporter of Lall Sing ; perhaps, for the good reason that he was a protegS of
29 the Dogra family, and they had a strong arm to uphold and assist him. Thus
30 Bii Goormuck Sing and Misser Belee Ram were enemies of the Dogras, and Bii
31 Ram Sing, through his alliance with Rajah Lall Sing, was their staunch friend. Be-