1 THE WUZEERUT OF HEERA SING. 129
2 friends ascended to the roof of the building- and sat
3 down in consultation. The Rajah was now persuaded by
4 the Pundit that the army would shortly return to its allegiance,
5 and come and carry him back to Lahore in joy and triumph ;
6 and so they continued for a short time awaiting this event.
7 Soon they perceived horsemen coming from the city at full
8 speed. On this they remounted and sent two horsemen for-
9 ward to learn the business of those who were advancing upon
10 them. But when the messengers came within range of the
11 approaching cavalry, they were fired on, and so returned to the
12 Rajah's company, reporting that the enemy — for such their
13 fictions showed them — were coming on in force, that from the
14 city and elsewhere large bodies of cavalry were rapidly ad-
15 vancing upon them. On hearing this Heera Sing remarked,
16 that if they were to be attacked, it would be best to make
17 a stand there, and to attempt to capture two guns which they
18 saw galloping towards them unprotected. But at the Pundit's
19 persuasion, the Rajah and his party moved off quickly towards
20 the camp of the Chareeyaras, the late Rajah Suchet Sing's
21 Gorechars, which they saw at a little distance, and where
22 they hoped to receive protection. But on their approach, the
23 fugitives found that the troopers were already on the alert to
24 repel and pursue them, and they were therefore obliged to
25 move on in another direction. They now advanced towards
26 the Serai of Mukberah near Shahderah, and sought the assis-
27 tance of some Patans encamped there. But here again they
28 were repulsed. Thence they hastened onward to and through
29 the village of Shahderah, where Heera Sing suggested that
30 they should take the river-side road towards Meerawai,
31 there being no troops encamped in that direction. But as
32 usual the counsel of the Pundit prevailed, and his advice
33 was to proceed by the main road towards Shah Dowla ko Pool.
34 But they had not advanced more than six hundred yards
35 from the village of Shahderah, when they were overtaken
36 s