1 ASSASSINATION OF SHERE SING AND DEHAN SING. 75
2 their matchlocks — discharging them while at full speed, &c.
3 On approaching' the Maharajh's mansion at Shahbelore, the
4 brothers, Ajeet Sing" and Lena Sing*, with a chosen party
5 dismounted and entered the house, the Scindawallas having*
6 the privilege of doing so uninvited and unannounced. Being
7 the first of the month there had been no durbar, and as they
8 presented themselves with about fifty followers, who like them-
9 selves were armed and in armour, Shere Sing was just dis-
10 missing with presents some athletes who had been wrestling
11 before him. They all made their obeisances to the Maharajh,
12 who received them with a free and courteous air, being
13 of course totally unconscious of any harm. Shere Sing-
14 quite unarmed, was reclining easily in his chair, when Ajeet
15 Sing* approached him and exhibiting a handsome double-barrel-
16 led fowling piece for his inspection, said in a loud and laughing
17 manner, " See here ! a piece which I bought for fourteen
18 hundred rupees ; I would not now take three thousand for
19 it." On this the Maharajh stretched out his hand to receive
20 the gun. It was loaded with two balls in each barrel, and
21 both locks were at full cock. As Ajeet Sing handed it to
22 Shere Sing*, he, by an almost imperceptible and apparently
23 unintentional movement, brought its muzzles to bear on the
24 breast of the Maharajh, and fired — both barrels almost together.
25 The unfortunate Shere Sing fell back in his chair, a corpse,
26 the only words he uttered before he expired being — " Ei ka
27 dugga ?" " What treachery is this ? " His head was imme-
28 diately cut off, and such of his servants as made a shew
29 of resistance were shot or cut down. The assassins then
30 hastened to the garden, where the eldest son of the murdered
31 king, a youth of thirteen or fourteen years old, was at his
32 devotions. Lena Sing, with his sword drawn advanced to-
33 wards the boy, who, alarmed at his ferocious and threaten-
34 ing looks, threw himself at his feet, and implored him as his
35 uncle to spare his life. But the Sirdar, paying no more