1 80 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 by one unanimous effort, we will not only secure our country
3 from danger, and ourselves from disgrace, but will also punish
4 the Scindawallas for their treason and cruelty — the traitors
5 to their race, religion, and country — the murderers of their
6 prince and of his Minister ! "* This was enough, the impatient
7 troops would listen to no more, — they asked to be led wherever
8 he pleased — to death or victory. They bade Heera Sing return
9 to his own camp at Buddhoo ko ava to prepare for his
10 enterprise, while they would quickly make ready one and all
11 to wreak their just vengeance on the treacherous Scindawallas.
12 Heera Sing told them to be ready to march at a moment's
13 warning*, but not to move too hastily, or without orders,
14 and that in due time he would lead them on. But so eager
15 and impatient were the soldiers, that though one-half of the
16 number were at that moment engaged in cooking and preparing
17 their evening meal, they made the drummers, fifers, and
18 trumpeters, sound to arms ; and where any one was slow in
19 falling into the ranks, he was struck by his comrades, and
20 some who delayed too long over their cooking utensils
21 were knocked down with the butt-ends of muskets. In such
22 precipitate haste did the army assemble to execute the design
23 which it had so suddenly formed, that the cooking apparatus
24 was left scattered about on the plain and in the camp. Thus
25 by incessant sounding to arms, by hurrying and threatening
26 the dilatory as well as their own immediate officers, the troops,
27 infantry, cavalry, and artillery, were in an incredibly short time
28 formed in line and ready to march against the traitorous Scinda-
29 wallas. About forty thousand men now awaited but the order
30 of Kajah Heera Sing to do his bidding and to hurl destruction
31 on his enemies and the murderers of his father. However, it
32 suited his purpose to keep them awaiting till after sun-set.
33 • This was all put down to Rajah Heera Sing, but it must be remembered that
34 llae Kisseree Sing was his prompter and encourager, and the chief instrument in
35 bringing over the troops.