Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/163

Rh crowd was formed round this group, no one venturing to interfere. On hearing of the disturbance, Colonel Richmond, the Resident, hastened to the spot, with a regiment and two guns, when the same threats were repeated. Two of these desperadoes held the Minister down, while the others succeeded in intimidating the lookers-on. These men declaimed against the bad government of the King, and demanded £5000 as the price of the Minister's life. The Resident refused to be a party to any pecuniary arrangements of that nature. He told them that, if they killed the Minister, they should answer for it with their own lives; but, on the other hand, if they spared his life, their own would be guaranteed. Lieutenant Bird, Assistant to the Resident, then forced his way into the crowd, when suddenly two elephants, carrying the required sum, came upon the scene. The money had been provided by the Minister's relations. But the troops seized the delinquents and escorted them to prison. Colonel Richmond then went to the King, to whom it was explained that, in order to save the Minister's life, he had given these men two alternatives: either to be liberated, taking their chance of escape; or to submit to a fair trial, on the understanding that their lives would not be forfeited. The King assented, and the men decided upon standing their trial.

The Governor-General expressed his displeasure that the Resident had become implicated as the protector of such ruffians, but enjoined him to observe the good faith of a British officer, and to prevent their