So many sudden deaths had occurred in this family, that the branch in question (Ajit Singh’s) were strongly suspected of ‘heaping these mortal murders on their crown,’ to push their elders from their seats. The father of Padma, the present chief, is said to have been taken off by poison; and Pahar Singh, one generation anterior, returning grievously wounded from the battle of Ujjain, in which the southrons first swept Mewar, was not permitted to recover. The mother of the present young chief of the Jhala tribe of the house of Gogunda, in the west, was afraid to trust him from her sight. She is a woman of great strength of mind and excellent character, but too indulgent to an only son. He is a fine bold youth, and, though impatient of control, may be managed. On horseback with his lance, in chase of the wild boar, a more resolute cavalier could not be seen. His mother, when he left the estate alone for court, which he seldom did without her accompanying him, never failed to send me a long letter, beseeching me to guard the welfare of her son. My house was his great resort: he delighted to pull over my books, or go fishing or riding with me. Footnote 3.4.36: _Surya_, ‘sun’; and _pol_, ‘gate.’ _Poliya_, ‘a porter.’ Footnote 3.4.37: “The _cur_ can bite,” the reply of this chief, either personally, or to the person who reported that his sovereign so designated him, was never forgiven. Footnote 3.4.38: His son, Sabal Singh, followed in his footsteps, till an accidental cannon-shot relieved the terrors of the prince. Footnote 3.4.39: _L’Esprit des Loix_, chap. vi. livre 31. ----- CHAPTER 5