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2 Gholab Sing), whose head, together with those of Heera Sing,
3 Jellah Pundit, &e., &c., was brought as a trophy to the
4 capital.
5 It cannot escape the attention of an observer who has followed
6 the course of the political changes at that period, that in this
7 party contention a great deal of bloodshed and mischief might
8 have been averted from the country, if the Sikhs had been
9 endowed with more penetration, and if, instead of defending the
10 cause of Heera Sing’s party, they had ranged themselves under
11 the banner of Ajeet Sing, and supported his interest. If they
12 had arrested Heera Sing, as the circumstances then imperatively
13 required, they would not only have prevented every future
14 struggle, but brought also into their possession all the immense
15 treasures which were at Heera Sing’s disposal. But the proverb
16 says, “ Quem Deus vult perdere, prius dement at”
17 I intend to give to my readers a true picture of what happened
18 to me at the assassination of Sheer Sing, being an involuntary
19 spectator at this ferocious scene ; and how I escaped the
20 perils which threatened my own person. At the moment I
21 heard the firing of the guns, and perceived all the people in
22 motion, taking their weapons, I felt persuaded that the locality
23 was not an asylum for a tranquil man ; so I looked for a passage
24 to make my escape from the garden — the scene of horror — and
25 betake myself to the spot where I had left my horse and
26 servants. These were still waiting, at a place which was
27 separated from me by a small low garden wall, and a narrow
28 ditch. I hastened towards them, jumped over the wall and
29 ditch, and arrived safely at the spot. It was by a fortunate
30 chance that I took this direction for my escape; my people
31 telling me afterwards, that at the great entrance to the
32 garden the bullets hissed and flew about, and that they were
33 in great anxiety for my life. Thus I was saved in a critical
34 moment, by taking a firm resolution, without any hesitation.
35 Having said thus much about my own preservation, I will
36 now proceed with my narrative.
37 At the time of Sheer Sing’s reign, we mustered about twenty