[53] It was on this spot that the head of Gooroo Teg Bahadoor had been exposed by order of Aurungzebe, the Great Mogul, nearly 200 years before. The Sikhs considered that in attacking Delhi they were "paying off an old score." A prophecy had long been current among them, that by the help of the white man they should reconquer Delhi. After this they looked on Captain Hodson as the "avenger of their martyred Gooroo," and were even more ready than before to follow him anywhere.
[54] "At a short distance, about a mile before reaching the tomb, the road passes under the Old Fort,—a strong tower, commanding the road on two sides, in which the King and his party first took refuge on their escape from Delhi. This was filled with his adherents, and it was a moment of no small danger to Hodson and his little troop, when passing under it on his way out to the tomb, any stray shot from the walls might have laid him low."—Note by a Friend.
[55] All the notice taken of this remarkable exploit in Major-General Wilson's despatch of September 22d, was,—
"The King, who accompanied the troops for some short distance last night, gave himself up to a party of Irregular Cavalry whom I sent out in the direction of the fugitives, and he is now a prisoner under a guard of European soldiers."
We may well remark on this anonymous version, "id maxime formidolosum, privati hominis nomen supra principis attolli."—Ed.
[56] Called Shahzadahs.
[57] "When within the inclosure, Hodson observed the balcony resting on the Archway of Ingress filled with the followers of the royal party, many with arms. Facing it, he looked up calmly, pointed his carabine, and said, 'The first man that moves is a dead man.' The effect was instantaneous. Not a hand was raised, and by the glance of that eye, and effect of that voice, every disposition to interfere by word or deed was quelled."—Note by a friend, who afterwards visited Humayoon's Tomb in company with Lieut. Macdowell.
[58] From Mr. Montgomery, now Chief Commissioner of Oude.
"Sept. 29th.
"My dear Hodson,—All honor to you (and to your 'Horse') for catching the King and slaying his sons. I hope you will bag many more! In haste,