1 THE COURT OF THE SIKH SOVEREIGNS* 113
2 ciflion, and preserving a steadiness, worthy of
3 the best European discipline, while behind and
4 about their ranks, stretching to the east and to
5 the west, was an extensive encampment, in the
6 centre of which were numerous tents of crimson
7 and gold, indicating the chosen abode of a
8 powerful military chiefltain. Crowded together,
9 at viewing distance from the legions, thousands
10 of spectators of the humblest classes stood in
11 ranks, preserving a silence, a decorum, and an
12 immobility, which proved the existence of a
13 severe military discipline even in the walks of
14 civil life. No shouts rent the air, save the
15 icensed clamours of some rude faquir : no
16 vociferous cheers manifested the exuberant joy-
17 ousness of a happy population. The admiration
18 of the people, — if admiration it were, — was only
19 depicted in their silent awe and breathless asto-
20 nishment, or kept in check by the apprehension
21 of high displeasure. Not many minutes elapsed
22 before the transient view, here attempted to be
23 described, was interrupted by the rencontre of the
24 two stately processions. It was not difficult to
25 distinguish the Maharajah from his proud and
26 gallant sirdars. Seated on a ponderous elephant
27 in the centre of the line, and habited, as on the
28 day before, in his dark crimson shawl, cloth
29 tunic, trousers, and turban, without any tinsel or
30 trinkets : in short, without any other relief to the