1 94 THE COURT OF THE SIKH SOVEREIGNS.
2 a gainer by the exchange. The Maharajah
3 alluded to below, is the late Runjeet Singh,
4 whose character is in some measure illustrated
5 by the proceedings.
6 The Maharajah on his throne (a chair with
7 silver arms and legs).
8 An Attendant. ^-TSews from Caubul has arrived,
9 your Highness.
10 The Maharajah. — Bring in the messenger.
11 A. — He is here, your Highness.
12 M. — Call the Faquir Uzoozerdeen.
13 A. — Will you please to come in, Faquir.
14 M. — Is the letter from the Sirdar Dost Ma-
15 homed, or from any one else ?
16 A. — It is from the Sirdar, your Highness.
17 M. — Well, read what 's in it.
18 Faquir reads. — ' To the Maharajah Runjeet
19 Singh, king of Lahore. May your name be
20 great. Twenty loads of fruit, two horses, and a
21 sword are here for your Highness. Will your
22 Highness deign to accept them ? '
23 Atteridant. — ^Your Highness, Misher is here.
24 Misher. — What orders, your Highness ?
25 The Maharajah. — Misher, go to Baylee Rham,
26 and desire him to send to Dost Mahomed an
27 elephant with a silver howdah, a Scindian match-
28 lock, a Goozeratee sword, and ten pairs of
29 shawls. Let them be fine, and of diflferent