Singh. The thief escaped from us, by leaping out at the window, just as Allah Dad, a faithful domestic, entered and lept after him, and was fortunate enough to close with him. The other robbers came to assist their companion, and wounded Allah Dad all over the head and body, but still he kept his hold, till other attendants came to his assistance. On interrogating the thief, he immediately confessed that he was sent by Ram Singh, to rob us of the jewels reported to be in the pillow under the Royal head. We immediately sent the thief, along with the wounded attendant, to Ram Singh, who next day gave sums in alms on account of our escape, and came himself into the presence to offer congratulations, swearing that he knew nothing of the matter, and offering to punish the thief. They did not then succeed. A few days after, we examined our remaining tents, and while they were pitched, Kuruk Sing, Runjeet's son, took a fancy to a rich tent of gold embroidery with Persian carpets, and having asked for it, received it as a gift! But this only gave a desire for more. Previous to the departure of Ram Singh and Kuruk Singh, they waited upon us, and requested that we would accompany them to Lahore. As they now gave us hopes of some settlement of our affairs, we agreed and accompanied them. On the third day's march towards Bushundorna, 400 horsemen skirted our long line of baggage during the whole day, and seemed hovering about previous to an attack. We had hardly reached the encampment ground, when intelligence reached us, that the horsemen had laid violent hands on the people attending the baggage, which they had carried off, as also the led horses. We informed Ram Singh of this immediately, who, after a great deal of sham sorrow and exclaimation, produced a sort of portmanteau, empty, with the exception of some wearing apparel not worth his taking. All our valuable armour, together with large sums in gold and silver, were lost, with many shawls of great price. Ram Singh said he had been lucky enough to recover the portmanteau from the hands of the thieves, and hoped all was right. It was useless to answer him negatively. On the next day's march, Ram Singh came to the presence and made the following request, viz., that we should make out a list of all the jewels and valuables then in our possession, and in Lahore, as Runjeet Singh had written frequently to him on the subject, but his respect prevented him making the request before. There was no avoiding this, and we gave the desired list. Some days after our arrival in Lahore, Ram Singh came to our residence, and, having removed our family to another dwelling, he collected the whole of our valuables, and carried them, on hackeries, to Runjeet Singh, who took what he wanted, and his people also laid violent hands on any thing that suited them. Those articles which were of small value or little use, were returned. Even after this he did not perform even one of his promises. At last we expressed a wish to depart, or to get a separate dwelling in the town. The latter was granted, and Moobaruk Havellee was cleared out for our reception.

We removed from the Sheallmar garden to the town, where we were daily treated with new indignities; spies were set over our actions, and guard's surrounded our dwelling at a distance. Five months passed in this way; our

condition became hopeless and escape difficult. We alone might have departed, but the thought of leaving the royal family in the hands of the Seikhs, was distraction. We accordingly consulted with our chief attendants, as to the best mode of freeing them from bondage, and next thought of the abode in which they were to find protection. We thought of the proffered friendship of the British government, and hoped for an asylum in Lodeanah. Several Moosulmans and Hindoos had formerly offered their services, and we now engaged them, and purchased several of the covered hackeries of the country. Every stratagem was defeated by the spies, till at least we found that Abdool Hussain had disclosed our plans to Runjeet Singh. At last, being hopeless, we called Abdool Hussain and Moollah Jaffier, into the presence, and after offering them bribes and giving expectations of reward, we bought them to our purpose; and the members of the Seraglio, with their attendants, all dressed in the costume of the country, found a safe conveyance in the hackeries above mentioned, to the cantonments of Lodianah. When we received accounts of their safe arrival, we gave sincere thanks to Almighty God.

Chap. 26th. Our escape from Lahore.

When Runjeet Singh was informed of their escape, he was astounded, as the gates of the town were well guarded. Seven ranges of guards were put on our person, and armed men with lighted torches watched Our bed. We could not perform even the offices of nature without an armed body in attendance upon us. When we went as far as the banks of the river at night, the centinels on the ramparts lighted flambeaux until we returned. Several months past in this manner, and our own attendants were with difficulty allowed to come into the presence. No relief was left but that of our holy religion, and God alone could give us assistance. We ordered the roof of the apartment containing our camp equipage, to be opened, so as to admit of a person passing through; apertures were formed by mining through seven other chambers, to the outside of the building. Having prepared every thing, we placed a faithful attendant on the bed in our sleeping apartment, and disguising our person, in the dress of a faqueer or holy mendicant, as also two trusty followers, we proceeding through the apertures and gained the street, whence, thanks to God, we reached the large opening, whence the contents of the drains of the city escape under the town wall.

We passed through and met the remainder of our attendants, who had been waiting on the other side. We then took the road to the river, where boatmen, previously bribed, were in attendance. Being seated in the boat, we passed over, and after a troublesome march on foot, we reached the town of Sialkole; thence we marched to the mountain of Jumboor, and put up at the house of a dyer. The son of the Hakeem of Jumboor having a regard for our Royal house, requested us to depart, as the town was under the sway of Runjeet Singh. We agreed to this, and thanking him for his advice, we took the valley road, the mountainous track being almost impassable, and after travelling all night, reached, at suurise next morning, a small village belonging to Dewan Singh, son of the

Wuzeer of the Jumboor Rajah, on the banks of the Choonab. We remained here for one day to prepare a bridge over the mountain torrent, and crossed the river next morning and arrived near a fort under the sway of Runjeet Singh. We determined to conceal ourselves, when the villagers informed us that the fort had been taken by the Seikhs from Rajah Bhunsur, and that at present the Rajah had sent a large force of Moosulmans, who had entrenched themselves round the works. This removed our fears and enabled us march, till night overtook us near a small village, where we became the guest of a Moosulman. We proceeded next day and, after many tiresome marches, reached Rajwar. Rajah Aghar Khan waited upon us, with as valuable presents as his country afforded. His brethern also and chiefs, were admitted into the presence. Several of our faithful attendants joined us from Lahore, as also Nudhan Singh, who was displeased with Runjeet's government. Our party now amounted to 400 horse and foot. We wished to proceed against Cashmere, but the Rajah, being of a timid nature, would not, or could not, assist us. About this time mes sengers arrived from Hishtawar, with offers of service from the Rajah. We left Rajwar, accompanied by Dewan Singh, and marched towards Hishtawar, halting one day at Budurwar. On reaching the Chukeh river, the boundary of Hishtawar, we were met by the Rajah, who loaded us with the kindest attentions. We entered his capital, and on the 3d day the Rajah offered sacrifices, and gave large sums in charity, and placing his own shoulder to the palkee, bore us to his own house, which had been prepared for our reception. Most valuable nuzzurs of horses, armour, shawls, gold, &c., &c., were brought to the presence. During two months we experienced the greatest hospitality and kindness from this noble, open-hearted chief. Tired of an idle life, we laid plans for an attack on Cashmere. The Rajah and followers were delighted, and the former said, that his troops and treasury were at our command. We had still one lakh of rupees in Lahore, and faithful messengers were despatched to the Punjab, to raise troops and bring 40,000 rupees. In about a month, we had the satisfaction of seeing bodies come in daily, and flocking to standard, and soon 1,000 men were put in martial order. Runjeet Singh gained information of the destination of the hackery containing the sum sent for, and immediately gave orders for its seizure, which was done near Lahore. We immediately wrote to our agents, to give the Shekerpoorean merchants receipts for the remaining 60,000 rupees, which was done and the sum desptached ; but the merchants having gained their receipts, informed Runjeet Singh, and the whole was seized. This did not blunt the Rajah's zeal, for he seemed ready to sacrifice the Hishtawar territory for our weal. We marched towards Cashmere, the Rajah carrying with him a well supplied camp chest. After six days' march, we came in sight of the stockades of Azeem Khan. Nothing could exceed the impatience of our troops; they rushed upon the first stockade and carried it at the point of the sword. The second was occupied by 2,000 Juzaerees—we attacked them, drove them from their strong holds, and took many prisoners. The third was evacuated. Azeem Khan was filled with consternation, and encamped at Lakam, six koss from Cashmere. We pushed forward; a dreadful fall of snow threw obstacles in our way, but they were surmounted. A stockade was attacked

and manfully defended by 1,000 men, but they also gave way. We were only three koss from Azeem Khan's camp, with the picturesque city of Cashmere full in view, when it commenced again to snow, and the storm continued with violence, and without intermission, for two days. Our Hindoostanees were benumbed with a cold unfelt in their sultry regions; the road to our rear was blocked up by snow, and the supplus still far distant. For three days our troops were almost famished and many Hindoostanees died. We could not advance, and retreat was hazardous. Many lost their hands and feet from being frost bitten, before we determined to retreat. The Rajah of Hishtawar, bore all these calamities with the most manly fortitude. After surmounting unheard of obstacles, we reached Hishtawar. These misfortunes seemed to increase the Rajah's devotion. We remained nine months, at his earnest request, under his hospitable roof, but determined at last to free him from expence; therefore, after thanking him with heartfelt emotion, for his continued kindness, we expressed our intention of proceeding to Lodianah, where our family had found a respected asylum. We promised that if ever we re-ascended the throne of our fathers, that our sojourn in Hishtawar should not be forgotten. The chief burst into tears. He urged the dangers of the road, his wish to sacrifice his wealth for us, and every excuse which affection could dictate, to prolong our stay. The road by the low country was under Runjeet Singh, and the path by the Thibet mountains almost untrod by travellers. We resolved on the latter track as it was free from our enemies. The Rajah seeing us determined, prepared supplies to accompany our small force, which supplies were carried on the heads of 100 of his mountaineers. The Rajah accompanied us two marches, and at parting, which took place in silence, tears stood in the of both parties. We had no dress of honor, no khillaut worth his accepeyes tance; but he accepted our thanks and blessing, and departed with every mark of grief, leaving a chief to accompany us through his territory, and supply our wants; his wuzeer also attended us for six marches. For fifteen days' journey there was no vestige of habitation, and little vegetation. The depth of the eternal snows was immense. Underneath the large bodies of ice, the mountain torrents had formed themselves channels. The five rivers watering the Punjab, have their rise here, from fountains amidst the snows of ages. We passed mountains, the snows of which varied in color, and at last reached the confines of Thibet, after experiencing the extremes of cold, hunger and fatigue. We now gave rewards to the Hishtawar porters, and allowed them to return. The inhabitants of Thibet, willingly bore our baggage and supplies to the Kulloo frontier, whence they were dismissed. The people of Lohool, the boundary town, were much dismayed at our approach, taking us for the advanced guard of the Goorkahs who often threatened their territory. They refused us passports, and several days passed in useless altercations. Our provisions were expended, and we proposed that they should accompany us, and carry us in any direction they chose, and this was the only mode of escape through their mountain passes. Before they would not allow the purchase of supplies, but now free communication took place. The Rajah, then in the capital, (Kulloo) hearing of the indignities we had suffered, punished

the offenders, and ordered his attendants to accompany us to Kulloo, which we reached in six days. The Chief came to meet us, presenting a nuzzur of horses, &c., also several thousand rupees and an hundred gold-mohurs, also the rarities of the country, such as musk-bags, hides of the bulghan, (the same as Russian leather) &c., &c., &c. We halted one day, and were treated with hospitality. The Chief requested from us the title of Rajah, which, to please the mountaineer, we conferred upon him, accompanied by the usual gifts of a shawl and sword. His minister accompanied us through his territories, and accommodated our attendants with supplies and carriage. On crossing the boundary river, we dismissed them. Some days after, noticing, on a distant hill, red stone buildings, we enquired to whom they belonged, and with joy learnt, that we had now entered the territory of the hill chieftains protected by the British Government, and that these buildings were inhabited by the English gentlemen. Our cares and fatigues were forgotten, and giving thanks to Almighty God, who, having freed us from the hands of our enemies, and led us through the snows and over the trackless mountains, had now safely conducted us to the land of friends, we passed a night, for the first time, with comfort, and without dread. Signs of civilization shewed themselves as we proceeded, and we soon entered a fine, broad road. A chuprasse from Captain Ross, attended us; the hill Ranas paid us every attention, and we soon reached Loodianah, where we found our family treated with marked respect, and enjoying every comfort, after their perilous flight from Lahore.

How sweet 'tis, after years of pain,

To meet with friends long lost again.

Captain Latter, General Ochterlony's son-in-law, waited upon us, and we were treated with attention and hospitality. How different was the open reception of the British Government, to the surly and fawning treachery of the Lahore tyrant! After two months, Lieuteuant William Murray was chosen to wait upon us, and we experienced the greatest attention to our wants from that officer, who came into the presence 'twice a week, to enquire into the state of our health. Two years were passed in the enjoyment of quiet and tranquility, when a petition reached us from Azeem Khan, in Cashmere.

Chap. 27th. Azeem Khan's petition. Our departure to the Derahjat or valleys. Soomimdar Khau's defeat.

After the Kujrt campaign, Futteh Khan grew ambitious, and determined to take into his own hands the reins of Government, and for this purpose resolved to ensnare Prince Kamran, who, hearing of the plot, seized Futteh Khan,

• Simlab I suppose. It not Kotghurh more likely, as it is the first approached ?-Translator. He means the Persians near the Herat boundary. Translator.