1 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR. 29
2 Cheyt Sing in proof of their charge. The minister and his
3 brother upheld that this step was the only one to be taken by
4 winch to secure the country from the power of the Feringhees.
5 Every thing was agreed to, and even No Nehal Sing's mother
6 was so worked on by her fears of the Feringhees, that she con-
7 sented to the dethronement and imprisonment of her husband ;
8 and thus the whole of this conspiracy was carried on with the ut-
9 most secrecy until the time was ripe for action. Then it was that
10 the minister, with his two brothers, Rajahs Goolaub and Suchet
11 Sing — accompanied by the Sirdars and most of the Scindawallas
12 went into the fort (two hours of the night still remaining)
13 and entered the sleeping room of Kurruck Sing. On their
14 way there they were met by two Biias, whom they cut down,
15 and further on they met a Gudwaii or water carrier who
16 had a few minutes before been with Kurruck Sing. This
17 man was now returning to the king who had just gone
18 into his sleeping room (as was his custom at that hour) to
19 pray. Immediately on perceiving the conspirators, the Gudwaii,
20 who was a little in advance, ran forward to give the alarm
21 to Kurruck Sing. At this moment Rajah Dehan Sing-, who
22 carried a short English rifle and was a good shot, fired and
23 the Gudwaii instantly fell. Goolaub Sing immediately remon-
24 strated with, and even sharply reprimanded, his brother for
25 this act of indiscretion; and at the same he time gave strict
26 orders to the whole party to make as little noise as possible,
27 as whatever was to be done, could only be accomplished
28 in silence and by the sword. The party now advanced to
29 the king's bedroom ; but on their approaching it, Cheyt Sing,
30 being alarmed by the noise, and fearing some unseen danger,
31 quietly slipped out and concealed himself in a long and
32 dark chamber named the Kaubgaa close to and in rear of
33 the monarch's apartments. The conspirators on approach-
34 ing these, were challenged by the guards and two companies