1 76 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 attention to his words than to reply to them scoflingly — "An
3 uncle at such a time !" with one blow severed the lad's head
4 from his body.
5 The party then quickly retired, and joining their comrades,
6 who had waited outside while this bloody business was being-
7 transacted, about three hundred horse and two hundred and
8 fifty foot, under the command of Ajeet Sing, went off at a
9 smart pace towards Lahore ; while Lena Sing with the rest,
10 about two hundred cavalry, slowly followed. "When about
11 half way to Lahore the party under Ajeet Sing met the
12 Minister with a few followers proceeding easily towards Shah-
13 belore. Ajeet Sing saluting him told him that every thing was
14 settled as he desired, that there was no occasion for his going
15 any further, and requested him to turn back and accompany
16 him to the fort, there to settle matters, to hold a council, to
17 call the Sirdars, and make good all his promises. Suspicion
18 seemed to flash across the Minister's mind, for he glanced at his
19 escort as if to see how many men he had with him ; and find-
20 ing that he was greatly outnumbered, he had no option, but was
21 obliged to agree to the Sirdar's proposal. He, therefore, con-
22 cealed his suspicions as well as he was able, and with as frank
23 and cheerful an air as he could assume, turned back with Ajeet
24 Sing. Ere they had proceeded far the Scindawalla, knowing
25 that every thing depended on his early arrival at the fort, pro-
26 posed that they should quicken their pace, and, without waiting
27 for Dehan Sing's assent, set off at a rapid rate. This soon
28 brought them to the outer gate of the fort, which Ajeet Sing en-
29 tered, accompanied by the Minister, and about five or six hundred
30 soldiers. At the second gate in obedience to certain signs,
31 most of the Minister's attendants were refused admittance,
32 while all Ajeet Sing's entered. Dehan Sing's suspicions
33 were now strongly excited, and he looked round to see how
34 many of his men were with him. Ajeet Sing, however,
35 attempted to divert his attention from what was going on,