1851.] Translation of the Vichitra NataJt. 497 



then overcame the people of Dudwal and made the Rajputs slaves ; 

 afterwards he devastated the valleys and no one attempted to check 

 his progress. He distributed the plunder amongst his soldiers. For 

 several days he laid waste the districts through which he marched, so 

 that the intimidated Giilaris contemplated suing for a treaty, as 

 Hussein Khan approached their frontier, but God frustrated their 

 schemes. 



Ram Sinh accompanied the Giilaris to treat with the enemy. They 

 parleyed for several hours, when as the sand which is heated by the 

 sun attributes the warmth to its own nature, denying the power whence 

 it derived it, so, the lower orders of the Mohammedan host fancied 

 themselves brave from the noble bearing of the Sikh emissaries who 

 surrounded them. The slaves were inflated, and looked upon the 

 Sikhs with contempt. 



They gulled themselves into believing that the Giilaris, the Kaliiris, 

 the Katdches were not equal to themselves. "When the Giilaris laid 

 out their presents, these dogs scrambled to seize them, and disputes 

 arising, the Giilaris collecting their treasures, departed to a distance. 



Avarice then prevailed over the minds of these Musalman reptiles, 

 losing all discretion, they began beating to arms. Instantly all was 

 confusion, as when a tiger threatens a herd of deer. For fifteen hours 

 they surrounded the emissaries and prevented them from eating. 



In the meantime, the Sikh army incensed at the treatmeat, to which 

 their ambassadors were subjected, sent some chiefs to expostulate, but 

 the Pathans, puffed out with conceit, refused to listen to them, they 

 said — " Give us up your treasures, or prepare to die." 



Upon this Sangat Sinh. begged of Gopal Smb. who was on the 

 Musalmans' side, to make peace between them, but his words were 

 utterly disregarded, consequently it was resolved to seize Gopal as an 

 hostage, pending the settlement of negotiations. That chief, however, 

 overheard the plot, which was forming against him, and hurriedly 

 departed to his clan. 



Kripal was kindled with wrath, and decided upon fighting. Himmat 

 Hiissein, and the youthful Jiimma, ordered the war-drums to be 

 sounded. In an instant horses began to prance, matches were lighted, 

 and triggers tried, to see if they acted freely. Then began deadly 

 strife, all was confusion. Combatants shouting, blows resounding, 



3 s 2 



