1 44 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 by the prince, and not to listen to any terms till the arrival of
3 his brother Dehan Sing* on the scene of action. He would then,
4 as previously arranged, after some show of negotiation, yield to
5 the influence of Dehan Sing", so as to make it appear to Shere
6 Sing" that he entirely owed his elevation to that chief and his
7 party.
8 Having* thus taken up a threatening* position at Bhoodhoo
9 ka Ava, Shere Sing and the Khalsa troops busied themselves
10 in preparation, for an immediate and vigorous attack on
11 Lahore. This day's work, however, cost the prince nearly all
12 the money he had brought with him, together with all that
13 he could borrow, and which he had to bestow upon the troops
14 in gifts ere he could bring them into train for the approach-
15 ing conflict. On the other side Goolaub Sing the same morning
16 convened a larg*e assemblage of the friends and supporters
17 of Chund Kour in the Soomun Boorj, to whom he depicted
18 in the most lively colours the greatness of the coming danger,
19 and exhorted them to be faithful and courageous in the cause of
20 the princess, confirming the allegiance of waverers by adminis-
21 tering* an oath of constancy. After this a private consultation
22 was held by Rajah Goolaub Sing*, Jemadar Khoosheeal Sing,
23 Sirdar Teja Sing, and the heads of the Scindawalla family.
24 Here Goolaub Sing earnestly enjoined the chiefs to enter the
25 fort immediately with their troops and to put the place in a
26 posture of defence, as it was quite uncertain when the attack
27 might be made. The Scindawalla chiefs answered that they
28 had already done what the Rajah now advised, while Jemadar
29 Khoosheeal Sing, Sirdar Teja Sing and others declared their
30 readiness to act on his suggestion at a moment's notice.
31 On the evening of this day Goolaub Sing, mounted on an
32 elephant, went amongst and reviewed and inspected the troops,
33 and saw that every gateway and bastion round the city was
34 properly secured and provided for defence. He took with
35 him on this visit many large bags of money, which he liberally