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curing intelligence, and watching a favourable opportunity to effect 

 the purpose of their mission. 



On a certain day, Jeajee having performed his ablutions, ac- 

 cording to the Hindoo rites, was seated in his durbar, or audience- 

 tent. Those ceremonies of access, so punctiliously observed by 

 the Moguls, are very much neglected among the Mahrattas; 

 strangers can easily introduce, and place themselves close to the 

 chief, whose attendants are frequently at a distance. Thus it 

 happened with the fictitious envoys, who seizing the opportunity 

 of Jeajee being alone, entered the tent, and advancing near him, 

 with the utmost humility entered into a detail of their master's dis- 

 tresses, endeavouring at the same time to soften Jeajee's enmity. 

 He replied, that Bajee Sih/ig still proudly depended on his castles 

 of Merut, Joodpore, and Nagore, all of which he would take 

 from him. and then treat their master accordino- to his deserts. 

 One of the envoys, increasing his show of humility, advanced still 

 nearer; when, suddenly seizing Jeajee by the neck, he drew his 

 dagger, and giving him three mortal wounds, exclaimed at each 

 blow, " this is Merut, this is Joodpore, this is Nagore!" Jeajee 

 groaned and fell; the servants, alarmed, ran to the place; confu- 

 sion ensued, many persons were slain. But it has never been as- 

 certained whether the assassin was among the number, or whether 

 he made his escape during the general consternation. 



The noise occasioned by this extraordinary circumstance, 

 brought Dutajee, Jeajee's brother, to the durbar-tent. Jeajee was 

 still breathing; and with great difficulty was able to utter a few 

 words, advising him immediately to provide against an attack 



