effect, and they always dismounted for a charge, in which the two-handed sword was their favourite weapon. The steel quoits, which they invariably wore on their turbans, six to eight inches in diameter, thin and with a sharp cutting edge, were not the formidable weapons they were pretended, and were as dangerous to friends as foes. I have never met an Akáli who could make good or sure practice with them, and I have often thrown against them with success. Their effective range is from sixty to one hundred yards.
Of the foreign officers who entered the Mahárájá's service General Ventura was the most important. He was an Italian of honour and reputation, who had served under Napoleon in the armies of Spain and Italy, and who, after the peace, finding his occupation gone, became a soldier of fortune ready for adventure in any part of the world. Of similar character and standing was General Allard, another of Napoleon's officers, who had won distinction by his ability and gallantry in many campaigns. These men first tried their fortune in Egypt and Persia, but finding no opening under Sháh Abbás, the ruling monarch, they travelled to India, via Herát and Kandahár, and were engaged by the Mahárájá after some hesitation and a prolonged examination of their qualifications. Both served Ranjít Singh long and faithfully. Allard was allowed to raise a corps of dragoons, and Ventura was placed in command of the Fouj Khás or special brigade, the first in rank, discipline and equipment in the Sikh
