1 30 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 under arms, who at first seemed inclined to make some opposi-
3 tion. This however was a mere feint ; for when Rajah Dehan
4 Sing advanced alone towards their commanding* officer — and
5 holding up his six fingered hand — pointed to the Prince,
6 without a word being' exchanged the whole of the two com-
7 panies silently grounded their arms, and sat or lay down as
8 regularly and simultaneously, as though they had been pre-
9 viously well trained to it. After this, they were even more
10 silent than the other party, who were now so awed by Rajah
11 Goolaub Sing's looks, as to be afraid even to whisper to one
12 another. Kurruck Sing was soon surprized and bound. He
13 imagined in his terror that he was about to be killed,
14 and in all probability he would have been put to death
15 — the minister and his brother being only anxious for an
16 opportunity to destroy him — but for the presence of his son
17 No Nehal Sing, and the injunctions of his wife Chund
18 Kour, both of whom had joined in the plot on the condi-
19 tion that no bodily injury should be offered to Kurruck
20 Sing. Cheyt Sing was now searched for, and was soon found
21 in the dark chamber before mentioned, where, in a corner,
22 with a drawn sword held in both hands, but trembling with
23 fear, and without the power of using it, he stood and cried like
24 a child for mercy. Immediately on his being discovered, he
25 was dragged to the door way, into the presence of the minis-
26 ter, who, as soon as he identified him, with his own hand
27 drove a long knife twice though his body. Falling wounded
28 to the ground, the unfortunate Cheyt Sing was literally
29 hacked to pieces by the infuriated assassins. Two hours after
30 this Kurruck Sing was confined in the fort j and the party having
31 returned, Koonwur No Nehal Sing was proclaimed king ; the
32 old sovereign being put down as an enemy to the state, and
33 one incapable of holding the reins of government.
34 Blinded by the promises made to him by the minister,