1 CHAPTER VI.
2 PUNISHMENT OF THE MURDERERS.
3 While Heera Sing- was making arrangements for avenging
4 liis fathers death the Scindaw alias were using every effort, by
5 bribes and presents, to win over to their side all the troops
6 and artillery stationed in the city and round the fort. They
7 remained however, unwisely and unfortunately as it afterwards
8 appeared, shut up in the fort, sending for the chiefs and leaders
9 of the troops to come to them, and to assist them in attempting
10 to work upon the soldiery. Had they, as Heera Sing and
11 his party did, and as it was known that they did, gone among
12 the troops personally, there is little doubt that they would
13 have effected their purpose. As it was they failed. From
14 the officers, indeed, they received oaths and assurances of sup-
15 port in return for their presents and promises, but the hopes
16 thus excited were very imperfectly realised.
17 If instead of this they had gone among the soldiers, and
18 used their eloquence in persuading them of their loyalty to the
19 crown and then- patriotism to their country, and to have dissipated
20 the suspicion that they were in league with the British, they
21 might with the aid of some few promises have gained their
22 object without the immediate expenditure of a rupee. For
23 as being true Seiks, of kin to royalty, being well known as
24 good soldiers, and having in the army many friends and even
25 some relations, they had great advantages over the Dogras
26 who were looked on with jealousy as foreigners and upstarts,
27 M