1 44 QUARREL WITH JY SlNGlI, A. D. 1781.
2 who had long maintained a connexion with Jummoo,
3 were highly irritated, and, what was even of more conse-
4 quence to Maha Singh's rising fortunes, the displea-
5 sure and jealousy of his old Mentor and guardian, Jy
6 Singh, of Ghunee, was incurred. This chief was now in
7 the zenith of his power, and was of a haughty imperious
8 temper. Maha Singh on his return from the hills pro-
9 ceeded with his booty to Umritsur, with the double pur-
10 pose of paying his respects to J Y Singh, and performing
11 his ablutions in the holy reservoir. The old chief receiv-
12 ed him with marked coolness and displeasure, so much so
13 that Maha Singh assuming the demeanour of an inferior,
14 approached with a tray of sweetmeats in his hand, and
15 begged to be made acquainted with the cause he had
16 given for offence, professing his sense of filial obligation
17 and attachment to Jy Singh, and offering any atone-
18 ment in his power. Jy Singh was stretched at length
19 on his couch, and, drawing his sheet over him, called
20 out loudly and rudely, that he desired to hear no more
21 of the Bhugtea's (dancing boy's) pathetic conversa-
22 tion. Maha Singh retired in high indignation at this
23 reception, and determined to be revenged for the insult.
24 He mounted his horse, and, with a few followers, made
25 his escape secretly from Umritsur, where Jy Singh's
26 power and influence were paramount, and returned to his
27 home to seek the means of executing his purposes. Being
28 too weak to enter the field against the Ghunee and Bhun-
29 gee Misuh alone, he cast about for associates, and deter-
30 mined to make a friend of JusA Singh, Sirdar of the
31 Ramghureea Misul, who had recently been ousted from
32 his possessions in the Punjab by a confederacy of the
33 ^ Aloowala and Ghunee associations, and the latter had
34 been considerable gainers by the aggression. Agents