5© TKIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE EAST. 



fermed the -nose oat of the cuticle of the forehead, which 

 proceeding is now, and always will be the same. In Europe, 

 where cutting off of noses is only in use, in exceptional 

 cases — as when ulceration or other circumstances make it 

 requisite — this operation is usually performed with the 

 cuticle of the arm, and judiciously too, as, according to our 

 custom, the head mostly is uncovered, and a scar on one's 

 forehead, with a new nose on the face, makes rather an ugly 

 appearance ; whilst, in the East, the scar remains hidden 

 beneath the turban. 



In time of peace, the Nahungs gave a great deal of 

 trouble to Runjeet Sing. On one occasion, he was even 

 forced to place two pieces of cannon outside the Delhi Gate 

 of Lahore, in the vicinity of Seidgenj, where the robbers 

 congregate, because this band dared to intercept the com- 

 munication of that city. They shut themselves up in Meea- 

 Meer, five miles distant from Lahore, thence they made 

 their appearance as rebels, but they were defeated, and 

 forced to depart, and from the town also, to Umritsir. 

 The individual just alluded to as deserving the gallows, 

 had cut off the arm of a sentinel, for having prevented 

 him from entering the tent of the king by a private 

 entrance. The Nahung had a servant with him, who 

 underwent no punishment, because he did not behave in an 

 aggressive manner ; but the offender, by the order of Run- 

 jeet Singh, lost his ears, nose, and hands, by the ^ same 

 sabre with which he had so skilfully cut off the arm of the 

 soldier on royal duty. After the sad execution, he ran to 

 drown himself in a well, but was prevented by the people 

 who were accidentally present. When the king was inform- 

 ed of the fact, the culprit was sent to me, and put under 

 my care and medical attendance, with strict orders to watch 

 him, to prevent his committing suicide, and to present him, 

 when cured, to the king. According to his own statement, 

 he was drunk with bhang ( hemp ) when he committed the 

 crime, and his only intention for intruding on the king had 

 been to ask a gapa ( gift ). These robbers do not like to enter 

 military service ; they prefer begging, and living by pillage. 



