1 164 A Short History of the Sikhs.
2 regard for the prince and of their deep interest in his
3 welfare, they offered to conduct him to Lahore, where
4 he would be welcomed by the troops, and all his
5 claims would be favourably considered. Peshora Singh
6 fell into the trap. On quitting the fort he was re-
7 ceived by Fatteh Khan and Chattar Singh with every
8 appearance of friendship, and the return march to
9 Lahore was at once commenced. At night, however,
10 he was made a prisoner ; and in the morning he was
11 sent back, heavily manacled, to Attock, where he was
12 foully murdered. This fell on August 21.
13 Nemesis speedily overtook one of the instigators of
14 this crime. Jowahir Singh had never been popular
15 with the army, who, from the day when he threatened
16 to throw himself on the protection of the British, had
17 not ceased to regard him with suspicion. On more
18 than one occasion he had given them work to do for
19 which they had little appetite, and at the close of the
20 Jammu expedition, had Ghulab Singh consented to
21 become their minister, they would have welcomed the
22 change. Raja Lai Singh, the Rani's favourite, who
23 aimed at the ministerial office, had for some time
24 been busy fomenting the mutinous spirit of the Sikh
25 soldiery ; and hence, when the murder of Peshora
26 Sikh became known, a storm of indignation arose.
27 A meeting of the panchayats was called, and it was
28 settled that death was the only suitable punishment
29 for Jowahir Singh, who was forthwith commanded
30 to appear before the assembled troops. In vain were
31 the bribes and protestations of the minister; in vain
32 the Rani threatened and entreated. The Khalsa had
33 spoken, and its decree was inexorable. Mounted on