80

BHAWUX KHAN.

CHAP. IV.

rupees, which he requested I would distribute in
charity, to mark the joyful event of our arrival.

On the morning of the 3d of June we visited
Bhawul Khan, who had alighted at a large house
outside the town, a mile distant: he sent an escort
of his regular troops, with horses, palankeens, and
various other conveyances, — one of which deserves
description. It was a sort of chair, covered with
a red canopy of cloth, supported by two horses,
one in front and the other behind, and the most
awkward vehicle that can be imagined; for it
could be turned with difficulty, and the horses did
not incline to such a burden. We passed a line
of soldiers, about 600 in number, dressed in uni-
forms of red, blue, white, and yellow; and then
entered the court yard, under a salute of eighty
guns. The passages were lined with officers and
chiefs; and we found the Khan seated in an area
spread with carpets, attended only by about ten per-
sons : he rose and embraced us. He made parti-
cular enquiries regarding Mr. Elphinstone, who, he
said, had been the means of raising up a sincere and
lasting friendship between his family and the British
Government.

Bhawul Khan is a handsome man, about thirty
years of age, somewhat grave in his demeanour,
though most affable and gentleman-like. During the
interview he held a rosary in his hand, but the tell-
ing of the beads did not interrupt his conversation.
He dilated at length on the honour which Runjeet
Sing had had conferred upon him in receiving pre-