1 104 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 not molest their servant, Kupoor Sing', who had aided in
3 bringing on their misfortunes ; and the}' now carried him with
4 them on their return home. Many days, however, had not
5 passed when the exposure of new acts of villainy and treachery
6 on his part so enraged his immediate master, Cashmeera Sing
7 against him, that he beat him, or had him beaten to such
8 a degree, that the man actually died under the punishment.
9 This occurrence seemed to Rajah Goolaub Sing to present
10 a favourable opportunity for resuming his deep designs against
11 his intended victims. He, accordingly, with all haste sent
12 intelligence of the murder of Kupoor Sing to Lahore, and the
13 Gooroo, who had stood security for Cashmeera Sing's good
14 conduct, was not only called to account but threatened with
15 punishment if he did not either realise his security or have the
16 two brothers punished for their crime. The Gooroo, on this,
17 acknowledged their guilt and his own responsibilit}r, and not
18 only wrote to Lahore, but went thither himself to declare to the
19 Khalsa troops, that these two brothers deserved and ought to
20 receive punishment for their offences, not the least of which, as
21 he now said, was that of breaking faith with him their spiritual
22 father. The consequence of this was that Rajah Goolaub Sing
23 was ordered to attack and seize both Seealkote and Gurriawalla,
24 and gladly proceeded to fulfill instructions so acceptable.
25 Gurriawalla quickly fell into his hands ; but the body of
26 troops, seven hundred in number, sent against Seealkote were
27 routed and dispersed with great loss by Cashmeera Sing's own
28 personal guard, a body of only about two hundred chosen men.
29 Offensive operations against these chiefs having thus again
30 commenced, they saw that the only hope of safety for them-
31 selves and their families was in a vigorous resistance. They,
32 therefore, determined to hold out in the strong fort of Seeal-
33 kote to the last extremity. Exasperated at the defeat and
34 slaughter of his troops, Goolaub Sing sent off large bodies of
35 men, with artillery, to attack their stronghold. But notwith-