diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:35:35 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:35:35 -0700 |
| commit | 25b042cfa98ccee00f30d9aaa6c8e80078a11428 (patch) | |
| tree | a433d063382263cedb7ebd106f4f7f4ea606c13c | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 10928-0.txt | 2201 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 10928-h/10928-h.htm | 2727 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 10928-h/images/book.png | bin | 0 -> 364 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 10928-h/images/external.png | bin | 0 -> 172 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10928-0.txt | 2598 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10928-0.zip | bin | 0 -> 51543 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10928-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 59376 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10928-h/10928-h.htm | 3145 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10928-h/images/book.png | bin | 0 -> 364 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10928-h/images/external.png | bin | 0 -> 172 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old/10928-8.txt | 2598 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old/10928-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 51484 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old/10928.txt | 2598 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old/10928.zip | bin | 0 -> 51463 bytes |
17 files changed, 15883 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10928-0.txt b/10928-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b589908 --- /dev/null +++ b/10928-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2201 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10928 *** + + BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS + + by + + Maharanee Sunity Devee, C.I. + of Cooch Behar + + + + +Contents + + Dacoit Stories + + The Jhee's Discovery + Trapped by a Cobra + Saved by a Bear + Raghu Dacoit + Girl as Kali-Ma + The Deputy Magistrate + All for Nothing + A Punjabee Dacoit + A Child's Experience + Two Chinese Dacoits + An Unfaithful Servant + + Tiger Stories + + The Bearer's Fate + Through the Roof + Earning the Reward + A Burmese Monster + The Palki and the Tiger + An Assam Adventure + A Thrilling Story + A Cachar Tiger + A Maharajah's Adventures + + + + + + +PART I + +Dacoit Stories + + + +The Jhee's Discovery + +It was the month of Jaishta (May-June) in Bengal, and the earth +languished under the scorching rays of the sun and sent up a voiceless +prayer to the Rain God to come soon and refresh the fields and jungles +with the welcome "barsat" (rainy season). + +Yet, in spite of the intense heat, a young and delicately nurtured +Bengali lady was travelling. She was on her way to pay a visit to +her parents-in-law, for after marriage the bride returns to her +childhood's home and remains there, paying visits from time to time +to her husband's home until the day comes when she goes to live there. + +It is a Bengali custom that ladies, especially young ladies, must +always wear their jewellery, even when travelling. Arms, wrists, +neck and ankles, bare of jewels, are a sign of widowhood or dire +poverty. Out young heroine was accordingly adorned with jewels and she +was also richly attired. Was she not the daughter of a wealthy man and +going to visit her mother-in-law? So her mother had lovingly dressed +her in an exquisite gold-embroidered Benares silk saree of finest +texture and superb workmanship, and the jewellery, which adorned her +graceful arms, neck and ankles, was in keeping with the richness of +her costume. + +Twelve bearers took turns in carrying the covered palanquin or palki +in which she travelled. They had been in her father's service for +many years and were known, to be trustworthy. A faithful jhee (maid) +accompanied her, sometimes walking beside the palki and at other +times sitting within, to fan her young mistress and help to enliven +the weary journey with tales of former travels. Two men-servants, +whom in Bengal we call durwans and who are permitted to bear arms +in defence of their masters' goods, completed the party. One of +them walked on either side of the palanquin and each carried a naked +sword in his hand. These two men were tried and trusted retainers of +the young lady's father, and were prepared to defend their master's +daughter even at the cost of their lives. + +The route lay through a lonely country district with stretches of +rice-fields scattered between, and villages nestling here and there +among groves of trees. At. one of these villages the party halted +awhile for rest and refreshment, and then on again in the fierce heat +of a close Indian day. + +Thus many miles had been passed; and the evening shades were beginning +to cool the wearisome day, when the travellers drew near to a group of +trees not far from a small tank (artificial lake). The palki-bearers +sighted this ideal resting-place and asked the jhee to inform their +young mistress of it, and beseech that they might stop there and +refresh themselves with a draught of water, after which they would +be able to travel still faster, + +A gracious consent was readily given by the fair one within the +palanquin. She had found the heat almost beyond endurance, and pitied +the bearers who had the weight of her palki and herself added to +their sufferings. + +The palanquin was gently set down under a large and shady tree, and +the durwans respectfully withdrew a little distance to permit of the +jhee raising the covering, so that their kind mistress might also +enjoy the grateful shade and coolness of the grove. + +The spot was lonely and their responsibility great, so the men decided +among themselves that they should divide into two parties. Six should +remain with the guard to protect their fair charge in case of any +untoward happening while the other six refreshed themselves at +the lake. + +This plan was no sooner agreed upon than the first six trooped off +gleefully towards the tank. The others stretched themselves in the +shade and relaxed their limbs in the interval of waiting. + +Time passed unheeded till it dawned upon some of those who waited that +they still thirsted and that the first six seemed too long away. They +asked the jhee to obtain leave for them to go and hurry the others up +and refresh themselves at the same time, so that the journey might +soon be resumed as the evening sun was nearing the horizon, and if +they delayed further night would overtake them. The young lady gave +the desired permission and the second six soon disappeared towards +the tank. They too were long away! + +The jhee felt uneasy but kept her fears to herself. Suddenly she too +disappeared. Without a word to her mistress she had decided to see what +the bearers were doing at the tank. Climbing up a tree, she crept along +an overhanging branch and a dreadful sight met her horrified gaze. Some +of the bearers lay dead in the shallow water and the surviving ones +were fighting desperately for their lives with a small band of outlaws. + +Rushing back to the palki with the utmost speed and regardless +of onlookers, she flung wide the door, screaming frantically, +"Dacoits! dacoits! run, didi (elder sister), run. With these eyes of +mine I saw them. I climbed a tree and saw them. Some of our bearers +lie dead and they are killing the others. Fly! fly for your life!" With +these words she turned and led the way with swiftness impelled by fear. + +The lonely occupant of the palanquin received the awful tidings with +horror and dismay. Often had she heard tales of dacoits and their +ruthless deeds. For a fleeting instant the thought, that she must fall +a victim to such desperados, paralysed her with fear; but only for an +instant. Her woman's wit and ingenuity moved her to action. Quickly +she divested herself of her heavy jewelled anklets. How could she +run thus weighted? and might not their value satisfy the greed of the +highwaymen? Flinging them down in the palanquin, she hastily closed +the doors and dropped the covering over its sides. Let them think +she was within. The search of the palki would delay them awhile. + +Then tucking up her rich satee she too started to run for her life. She +had gone but a few steps when the voices of the two durwans arrested +her. They had heard the jhee's distracted cry, and their only thought +was for their young mistress. + +"Didi," they said, addressing her affectionately and respectfully by +the endearing name of sister, which is a custom permitted in Bengal to +the servants of every household. In the home of her girlhood a girl is +addressed as "didi" (sister) and in her father-in-law's house as "bow" +(son's wife). Sons of the family are addressed as "dada" (brother, +strictly elder brother) and sons-in-law as "jamai". + +"Didi, fear not! As long as there is breath in these bodies we will +defend you. If the dacoits overtake us, we will guard you. No harm +shall come to you." + +Encouraged by their presence and words, the girl made all possible +speed. But her delicate feet were unused to rough, hard roads, +and, despite her will and brave efforts, she tripped and stumbled +continually. In Bengal, in the hot dry weather, the country roads +are difficult to traverse. The deep ruts of the rainy season dry up +and the once muddy earth crumbles into thick heavy dust, into which +the feet of the wayfarers sink. Fast travelling is difficult even for +those who are used to journeying, so the poor young lady made little +headway and was soon overtaken by her pursuers. They had not been +long in discovering her flight and were soon racing after her from +under the tree. As she ran she heard their shouts, and then realised +that they had caught up with her guard who were resisting them. + +The poor girl ran on and on alone, and presently saw a tiny hamlet +hidden among some trees. She made for this as fast as her trembling +limbs could carry her and rushed breathlessly into a small red +brick-house, the door of which stood slightly ajar, crying: "Shut +the door! Dacoits are following me!" Then, overcome with fear and +exhaustion, she sank unconscious upon the floor. + +The ladies of the little household ran forward on hearing her cry and +shut the door promptly. Dacoits were known and feared everywhere. Then +they tenderly ministered to the stranger. As soon as she recovered +her senses, she related to them what had befallen her and implored +their protection. + +The master of the house immediately despatched a messenger to a distant +police outpost for aid. Soothed and comforted, the girl eagerly hoped +and prayed for the arrival of her attendants. + +After some time, word was brought in that a palki was approaching. Even +in the dark the approach of a palki is made known by the rhythmic cries +of the bearers. Soon it arrived in front of the red brick-house and +the bearers, halting, asked loudly if a strange lady, richly attired +and decked with jewels, was within. From an upper window the master +of the house answered them, while the girl and her kindly hostess +listened anxiously downstairs. The pseudo palki-bearers next informed +the listeners that they were the servants of a very wealthy man and +had been conveying his daughter to her parents-in-law's house. + +"But" they boldly declared, "our master's daughter is such a +troublesome girl. She causes us much anxiety whenever she is sent to +visit her mother-in-law. She is so unwilling to go that it is with +great difficulty that we get her safely there." + +The anxious listeners within felt sure these were the dacoits and +longed for the arrival of the police. The disguised thieves persisted +in their questioning for some time in spite of the house master's +repeated advice that they had better search elsewhere. At last they +departed carrying the palki with them. And the dwellers in the red +brick-house breathed more freely. But not for long. + +The village was a tiny one and the pretended bearers soon returned +from their search. Planting the palki in the doorway, they shouted: +"We know for certain that our mistress is hiding somewhere. We feel +sure she is in your house. Here we will sit till you send her forth." + +On hearing these words the poor pursued girl fell at the feet of her +host, calling herself his daughter and addressing him as "father", and +implored of him not to give her up to these awful dacoits. The good +man assured her of his protection while his wife raised her from the +floor, and, embracing her, said they would all sooner suffer death +than give her up. + +The trying hours dragged on till past midnight. Then the dacoits +announced that the lady must be produced or they would force an +entrance into the house. No reply was given to this ultimatum. The +highwaymen waited awhile and then assailed the door with heavy blows. + +The distraught girl besought her hostess to take her jewels and +hand them out to the burglars and thus ensure peace and safety for +all. The mistress of the house declared this would not satisfy the +ruffians and once more assured her guest that, whatever happened, +they would strive to protect her. + +Presently the door gave way and, with coarse oaths and triumphant +threats, the dacoits entered. But unknown to them,--so busy had they +been hammering and swearing,--the police had arrived and now followed +in on their heels. The dacoits were all captured and confessed their +guilt as to the murder of the palki-bearers and the probable death +of the two durwans, who, they averred, had fought like tigers. + +The bodies of these two devoted servants were found, all battered +and bruised, on the roadside and were given honourable cremation by +their master, whose daughter they had saved by their devotion. + +The jhee was found close to the spot, hiding among the branches of a +tree. She had witnessed the fight between the durwans and dacoits and +the flight and pursuit of her mistress. When both reached home again, +the jhee filled up dull hours with vivid accounts of their adventure. + +This little story is a true one and shows how difficult and dangerous +travel was in the old days in Bengal. Travelling by palki is now +in many parts a thing of the past, for the whole Province is being +linked together by a network of railways. Good roads and better police +arrangements also lessen the terrors of travelling in places where +railways are still wanting. + + + +Trapped by a Cobra + +Not many years ago a young married lady was journeying alone. + +It is not customary in India for young women, even if married, to go +out by themselves. The purdah system unfits them for independence. Even +when going for a short distance by palanquin or just for a carriage +drive, a chaperon is necessary. + +Yet occasions arise when it is imperative that they should journey, +but no suitable escort can be found or spared for the purpose. They +are then obliged to go with servants. It may seem strange that young +ladies should be permitted to travel alone with servants. But readers +who know India will not be surprised, for Indians treat their servants +after the patriarchal system, especially those who have served the +family for generations. Even hired attendants, like the driver in +this story, are thoroughly trusted when known to the family. + +The young lady was on her way to visit her father and mother. Indian +parents-in-law cannot visit at the parental home of their +daughter-in-law. Therefore bow-ma journeyed alone with her little son, +a child of about five years of age. + +The distance was not a long one, only from Calcutta to Durgapore, a +village a few miles away from the city. So a hackney-carriage was hired +with a driver who had often before been employed by her father-in-law, +and everyone felt assured bow-ma would reach her destination safely. + +Her mother-in-law saw her into the carriage. Her little boy was lifted +up beside her, and, with many injunctions to drive carefully and with +speed ringing in his ears, the driver whipped up his horses and they +were off. + +Bow-ma knew the road well. Often had she journeyed to and fro in +the early years of her married life, and even after the birth of her +little son her visits to her parents had been frequent. + +The carriage was close and her heavy silken saree hot to wear, so +she opened the venetians and lazily watched the familiar landmarks +as they passed. She had started early so that the journey should be +accomplished in day-light, and still they did not reach home. She +noted the various trees and hedges and was puzzled. Surely, the road +seemed different. The sun, a ball of golden fire, sank to rest in +a bed of many-tinted clouds, and still they had not arrived. Bow-ma +felt strangely anxious. + +The carriage suddenly swerved. To her dismay she saw they had turned +into a rough and untravelled road with paddy-fields on either side. The +place seemed lonely. It was now rapidly growing dark, for in India +after sun-set Night does not long delay her coming. A presentiment of +evil clutched bow-ma's heart. She whispered to her little boy to ask +the driver where they were and when they should arrive. In India it +is not permitted a woman to address any man save her husband, father, +and brothers. + +The child obeyed but the driver made no reply. "Ask again," whispered +the mother, "he has not heard you." + +The boy asked, "When shall we arrive?" again and again, but not a +word answered the driver. + +Bow-ma, now thoroughly alarmed, beat the shutters of the carriage +and commanded her son to shout loudly. The boy screamed at the top +of his voice, "Why don't you reply? What road is this?" + +The driver now answered disrespectfully: "You will soon know where +you are going," and laughed. + +His rude gruff tone and evasive answer confirmed bow-ma's worst +fears. The awful word dacoits stood out in her mind in letters of +fire. Horror and dread filled her soul. Drawing her child towards +her, she hushed his eager questioning and waited in silent anguish +for the coming danger. + +The carriage bumped and rattled over the uneven road. Presently it +stopped. It was now almost dark. The door was jerked open and a harsh +voice commanded: "Get out of the carriage." Bow-ma recognised the +driver's voice and, realising the futility of objecting, without a +word she stepped down and helped her little son to alight. + +"Follow me" was the next rough order. Again she silently obeyed. The +man left the road and led her a little distance away under the shadow +of some trees. "Take off your jewels. Give them to me." A faint sigh +of relief escaped her. Perhaps the jewels were all he wanted. Quickly +she unclasped her handsome necklet and gave it him. He grasped it +greedily with one hand and extended the other for more. One by one she +stripped her wrists and arms of their lovely bracelets and bangles and +handed them to him. "More" he growled. She pulled the rings from her +fingers and added to them her ear and nose rings. "Your waist chain" +he snapped. She unclasped and dropped its golden weight into those +greedy hands. "Take off your anklets, I want all" he sneered. She +knelt on the ground to unclasp them. Then, rising, handed them to him, +wondering what more would follow. + +Meanwhile the child wept bitterly, and angrily forbade the driver +to take his mother's jewels, calling him robber and thief. "Yes, +dacoit I am," the scoundrel replied to the boy's revilings, "and if +you will not be quiet, I will teach you how to." Bow-ma gently strove +to console and silence her son. "Fret not! Your father will give me +more and better jewels." + +"Take off your saree" was the next outrageous command. The boy's +indignation flamed afresh. His mother took an unguarded step forward +and asked: "Are not my jewels enough that you want the saree off +my back?" + +"Aye, your saree and all you have. Silence your child or I will kill +him." Terrible was the harsh voice in its determination. Bow-ma's +heart stood still. Entreaty would be of no avail. She unwound the +richly-embroidered silken folds from about her and cast the gold and +green saree at his feet: "Take it." + +"You have stripped my mother," screamed the boy. The ruffian caught +the saree with a fearful oath and turning on him said: "Now I can +deal with you. I will fetch a brick from yonder kiln and pound the +breath out of you," With these words he strode forward, tying the +jewels in the saree as he went. Now her sorely-tried nerves gave way, +and, distracted with grief, bow-ma caught her child in her arms, +and their mingled cries rent the air. But the thief did not return. + +About midnight a village policeman going his rounds heard their +cries. At first he paid no heed to them: jackals swarmed and disturbed +the night. Again the anguished voices quivered in the air. There was +something human in the sound. He stopped to listen. The cries rose +again. He walked forward in their direction. Clearer, as he advanced, +shrilled the distressed voices, and he recognised they were those +of a woman and a child. He quickened his steps and hastened to +the spot. The light from his lantern revealed bow-ma and her son, +clinging to each other and weeping piteously. + +"Who are you? What ails you?" he asked. The distraught mother, +unconscious of the flight of time, thinking him the heartless dacoit +returned to kill her boy, fell at his feet in an agony of supplication: +"Spare my son. Take my life instead." + +"I am a chowkidar (watchman). What is up?" But so dulled were her +ears with fear and grief that he was twice obliged to repeat his +words. When the joyful intelligence reached her brain she burst into +tears. "O! save my son." Then the consciousness that the danger +was past reminded her of her own plight, and she sobbed: "Give me +something to wear." + +The policeman had noticed her semi-nude state. Dropping, his pugree +at her feet he turned away. She shook out its many folds and draped +it about her body. Then she related what had befallen her and pointed +towards the direction the thief had taken. + +The policeman walked cautiously forward, his lantern raised in one +hand and his lathi tightly grasped in the other. A few yards ahead +he came to an old brick kiln. Here, prone among the broken bricks, +lay the robber in greater straits than his victims. A huge cobra was +tightly coiled round his right arm, while on the left hung the saree +and the jewels. The rays of the lantern disturbed the snake. With +an angry hiss it uncoiled itself and disappeared. The dacoit, more +dead than alive from simple fear of the snake's fatal sting, yielded +himself a prisoner, and it was subsequently discovered that the whole +gang, of whom he was a member, were licensed hackney drivers. + + + +Saved by a Bear + +The evening shadows and silence had settled on the river Hooghly as an +old Brahman wended his way to one of the many ghats (landing places). + +The dinghis--little boats which ply backwards and forwards all day +carrying passengers to and from Calcutta--had all been made fast +for the night. Some of the boatmen were cooking their evening meal, +while others sat about on the decks smoking and singing. Many of the +boats were wedged close together and drawn up on to the bank. + +But one lay well in the water and some distance from its +fellow-craft. Its manjhi (headman) stood on the stern deck, binding +together the mat roof of his boat. His seemingly careless gaze took +in the Brahman, about to descend the bank. He noted that the old man +carried a parcel, partially concealed in his chadar (scarf), and, +from the manner in which he hugged it, the observer concluded it +contained something valuable. As the Brahman came nearer, the manjhi +saw it was a bag of money. + +The old man picked his way down the bank and called upon boat after +boat to take him to a small village near Serampore, for in those days +there was no railway. None were willing to go so far. Meanwhile a +whispered consultation had taken place between the manjhi and dhars +(oarsmen) of the furthest dinghi. When the Brahman finally accosted +them, they first demurred and then, as though still reluctant, +consented to hire their boat. + +Just as they were pushing off, a man with a performing bear ran down +the bank. "Where goest thou?" he asked. + +"Serampore" answered the Brahman before the boatman could reply. + +"My home is near by," the man remarked gladly, and jumped into the +boat, pulling his bear after him. + +The boatmen scowled angrily: "Get out, we go not so far." But he +would not. The manjhi warned him that he and his bear would gain +nothing by forcing themselves into the boat. + +"These boatmen are queer customers," he laughingly remarked to the +Brahman, and to them: "Gain nothing! Why! I will reach my home." + +"So you say," they answered. + +The bear-man wondered within himself at their unwillingness to have +him as a passenger. He and the old Brahman made a few remarks to each +other. Then they fell silent. + +They were near the end of their journey when the bear-man asked +suddenly: "Manjhi, have we not passed Serampore?" + +"Are you the guru of boatmen that you question me?" replied the +manjhi, and then, in a more conciliatory tone, added: "We are going +higher up for a crossing. The tide is strong." The explanation was +reasonable. But the bear-man's suspicions had been awakened and he +was on the alert. The Brahman sat placidly nursing his bag which the +bear-man too had noticed contained money. He had also noticed that +the manjhis kept glancing furtively at it and its owner. + +The river crossed, the boat hugged the bank; after a time it came +to a standstill. One of the manjhis jumped ashore with the rope +and secured it to a tree. The Brahman and the bear-man both asked: +"What is wrong? Why stop the boat in this strange place?" + +"You will soon know, you will soon see," answered the boatmen and +chuckled over some secret joke as, one after another, each stepped +ashore and disappeared. + +The aged Brahman gazed after them apprehensively. Then, placing his +money between his knees, as he sat on the deck with crossed legs tucked +under him, he folded his hands together and bent forward in prayer. + +The bear-man thought within himself: "Prayer for him, action for +me." And saying softly to the old man; "Brahman Thakoor, something +is brewing. I follow to see," he too stepped ashore. + +Not far from the tree he found a small thatched house and several +men gathered behind it. Moving warily forward among the group he +recognised the manjhis. "Dacoits!" he whispered to himself. Then an +inspiration struck him. + +He ran back to the boat, and asked the Brahman to change his seat +to the stern and be ready to steer off when he gave him a signal. He +took up a position in the prow and fondled his bear. + +Within a few minutes a party of men appeared coming towards the +dinghi. Some were boatmen; all were dacoits. + +The actor loosed the bear's chain, saying: "Go! go! hug the life out +of all of them!" + +The sagacious animal responded to his master's order with a fierce +charge right among the approaching band of robbers. With startled +cries they fled in all directions. Quite sure they were effectively +scattered, the bear-man called his animal back, secured its chain +once more, and pushed from the shore. + +With some difficulty he and the old Brahman navigated themselves back +to Calcutta and informed the police authorities there. The police +took possession of the dinghi which on inspection proved to be a +dacoit's nest well-equipped with instruments fitted for murder and +robbery. But none of this gang of river dacoits were captured. + +The lives of the Brahman and the showman were certainly saved by the +wonderful intelligence of the latter's bear. + + + +Raghu Dacoit + +Madhub Babu, a Calcutta gentleman, owned much property in that city +and was known far and wide on account of his great wealth. To do him +honour, the City Fathers had named a tank after him. + +At that time there flourished a notorious dacoit, Raghu, for whose +capture Government had offered a handsome reward. But like Robin Hood +of old, Raghu Dacoit had caught popular fancy by his generosity to +the poor. Though he looted the rich, to the needy, the famine-stricken +and widows he was always kind. No one would inform against him. + +Madhub Babu had a fine country house in Chandernagore, where he +frequently entertained his friends. On one of these occasions, the +latest doings of Raghu Dacoit were being discussed. The Babu remarked +confidently: "He dare not visit me. He knows my house is well guarded." + +One of the guests quickly rejoined: "Oh, don't say that. Raghu Dacoit +is a dangerous and clever man." + +A few days after, Madhub Babu received a letter from the famous +outlaw saying that he would be pleased to visit the rich man's +country house. Madhub Babu was amazed at the audacity of the fellow, +and wondered how his remark had reached the robber's ears. + +He immediately sent information to Calcutta and asked for a strong +body of police to be sent at his expense. They arrived, and his +country residence was extra well guarded for some time. But nothing +happened! Madhub Babu concluded that the letter had been a hoax. So +the police guard was withdrawn. + +Madhub Babu's Chandernagore house stood on the bank of the river. One +dark night a boat came quietly to the ghat. Its occupants silently +landed and proceeded stealthily to the house. Every door and window +was securely fastened, but what mattered that to Raghu and his +band? Tall trees graced the grounds everywhere and many grew near the +house. Climbing the nearest, some of the dacoits reached up a long +and stout bamboo from it to the flat roof. A slim youth crawled over +and fixed the other end securely. Then one by one some of the gang +slid across. The door of the staircase leading down into the house +stood open. Creeping like cats downstairs they gained the entrance +hall. Here they found all the durwans fast asleep. The light of their +lanterns showed the durwans' swords hanging on the wall. In a trice +the dacoits had them down, unsheathed, and, oh, bitter blow! despatched +Madhub Babu's men with their own weapons. + +Then noiselessly opening the door they admitted the remainder of the +band. For a few hours there was uproar, confusion and dismay while +the burglars invaded room after room and collected all Madhub Babu's +treasures with which they disappeared. + +While still smarting under the loss of his valuables, the Babu received +another letter from Raghu Dacoit asking, "Had his visit given Madhub +Babu pleasure?" + + + +Girl as Kali-Ma + +A large and well-to-do family lived happily in a country place +in Bengal. + +One day their peace was disturbed by an anonymous letter. The writer +warned them to expect a "dacoity" (burglary). These Indian outlaws +always make it a point of honour to inform their intended victims, +and always come with drums, torch-light and a sort of war-cry. + +There was much valuable jewellery in the house and the family, thinking +discretion the better part of valour, gathered all together, packed +it securely and, taking it with them, left their home about sunset +for safe quarters. + +Somehow one of the younger ladies with a tiny infant was left +behind. Unaware of the warning letter or desertion of the family, +she slept peacefully through the early hours of the night. But later, +she was awakened by the sound of drums and loud cries, which she +recognised as the signal of the dacoits. Rushing out of her chamber +she discovered that the burglars were already in the house and that +none of the family were to be found. From room to room she fled, +finding none to protect her, and realised that she was alone and +helpless. Even her husband was gone! + +She was a high-spirited and resourceful girl. She knew her life +and the baby's as well were in danger and she determined to outwit +the burglars. She had a swarthy complexion like Kali, the dacoits' +divinity. Often had her mother bemoaned its darkness! Now it should +serve her. But was she black enough? To make assurance doubly sure, +she caught up a bottle of ink, which she knew where to find, and +hastily smeared her face and limbs with it. Then, hiding her baby +in a safe corner, she uncoiled her heavy hair and let its luxuriant +black tresses fall about her like a cloak. Her preparations complete, +she placed herself in a large niche at the head of the stairs. + +The dacoits found nothing below worth attention and trooped +upstairs. The flickering glare of their torches fell upon a life-like +image of Kali the Terrible. With protruding scarlet tongue and fixed +staring eyes, the girl stood immovable and breathless, silently +invoking all her family gods to come to her aid in her bold design. + +With an awe-struck cry of "Mercy! mercy! Kali-Ma!", the thieves +fell prostrate at her feet. The girl held her breath. Was it +possible that her plan had succeeded? The slow seconds passed. The +Chief arose. "Come, brothers, we touch nothing where Mother Kali is +worshipped." With hasty and reverent steps they descended the stairs +and left the house. + +Long after the dacoits had gone the girl stood there. Then the strain +snapped and she relapsed to her normal self. Fear swept over her and +she rushed out of the house. But her trembling limbs could not carry +her far. She fell in a dead faint on the pathway. The neighbours, +who had heard the dacoits enter the house and seen them go away silent +and empty-handed, came to learn the mystery and found her there. + +When the family returned next morning, the neighbours abused them +soundly for leaving the girl and her babe behind. The girl herself +was so hurt by the neglect that she had scarcely strength enough +to relate the strange happenings of the night. Her husband found it +difficult to make his peace; he said that he believed her to be with +the ladies of the family. In zenana families even the most devoted +husband has little voice in his wife's movements, as all arrangements +are left in the hands of the mother-in-law. There were several ladies +and children in the family and the mother-in-law had thought the girl +was with some of them. Friendship was however finally restored. All +generously admired her ingenuity and realised her bravery. From the +white-haired old father to the smallest child, everyone was grateful +then and always after for her presence of mind on that memorable night. + + + +The Deputy Magistrate + +In the Dacca district, a few years ago, there was a big dacoity. A +Deputy Magistrate was ordered to secretly investigate the matter and, +if possible, to capture the miscreants. + +Besides his cook and personal attendants he took with him some +policemen. All were disguised. They travelled in several small boats. + +It was late in the evening as they neared the place, where the burglary +had occurred. He decided to proceed no further that night. The boats +put to; the men cooked their evening meal and all retired. + +About midnight, the Magistrate awoke with a start to hear many voices +calling him by name. He listened: "So you have come to arrest us, +to put us in jail, to hang us. Ah! you will soon see who will be +punished. We shall know how clever you are!" + +The night was pitch-dark. He noiselessly opened the small window +of the boat and saw a number of men, with flaming torches in their +hands and armed with heavy sticks, coming down the bank. There was no +time to call his men. He seized his loaded revolver. But what was one +against so many! He decided to bolt. The land way was barred by the +dacoits. What of the river? He was a good swimmer. But the water looked +black as ink and swarmed with crocodiles. Yet to stay in the boat meant +certain death. If he gained the opposite bank, he could make for his +father-in-law's house, which was near the river and where his wife was +then staying. He might escape the crocodiles. He determined to risk it. + +Like a flash all this passed through his mind. Opening the other +window he clambered out stealthily and slipped into the water. A +few powerful strokes carried him across. He stumbled up the bank and +raced through the thorny jungle to his father-in-law's house. + +The sleeping family were disturbed by his violent knocking. As soon +as he was admitted, he went to his wife's room. She was horrified to +hear of his danger. After a hasty bath and change she insisted that he +should eat something, and while he was refreshing himself, she informed +her father of his son-in-law's escape and predicament. To her surprise, +her father said: "I am sorry, but he must leave my house." + +"O! father, how can he?" she pleaded. + +"He must" repeated her father. + +The daughter fell at her parent's feet and implored him not to drive +her husband forth. But no words of hers could move him. "Why should +all suffer for one?" he argued. She returned sadly to her husband. + +Presently the cries of the dacoits showed that they had scented their +quarry. Soon they shouted at the door: "Open! or drive out the Deputy +Magistrate. We know he is here. Give him to us or what happens be on +your own head." + +The wife wept piteously. Her father remained obdurate, muttering, +"I knew this would happen." + +The unfortunate Magistrate could not understand his father-in-law's +behaviour. He sat with his head bowed in despair. Suddenly his wife +ran to him. + +"You must try to escape. I have an idea." She pulled out a saree and +some jewels, and began to dress him as a woman. + +"It's no use," he said hopelessly, "they will catch me." + +"Be brave," she said encouragingly, "for my sake see if you cannot +elude them." + +With tender hands she arranged the saree, draping it well over his head +to conceal his face. Then giving him a ghurra (water vessel) told him +to pretend that he was going to fetch water from the river. Cheered +by her courage, he caught her to his heart in a mute farewell, and +her prayers went with him. + +He had not gone far from the house when cries arose of "There he +is!" But some one shouted: "It is a woman. Look elsewhere." And he +passed slowly to the river. Here he flung the brass ghurra far out +into the stream and ran for his life along the bank. No sounds of +pursuit followed him, and he now gained courage enough to form a +plan of escape. Not far from his father-in-law's village was a small +police station. Thither he bent his steps and asked protection of +its solitary occupant. + +The man recognised him and asked: "Deputy Saheb, why are you here? What +is wrong?" + +The Magistrate told him of the dacoits and of his escape. "Dacoits +after you!" said the policeman and looked grave. "Sir, I cannot help +you. What is one policewallah against so many? If I shelter you we +shall both die. You better push on." + +For a time the Magistrate pleaded to deaf ears. But at length his +promises of promotion and reward moved the man. "Come" he said "I +will do my best," and, rising, led the way to his own house. Here +in the inner room was a high machan--a huge bamboo shelf made like +a raft and suspended from the roof and reached by a moveable ladder, +used for storing all sorts of things. + +On this machan were some old blankets. "Here, conceal yourself in +these" said the policeman. The Deputy Magistrate needed no second +bidding. He climbed up and rolled himself in one of the blankets and +heaped the others in front of him. The policeman carried the ladder +away, right out of the house. Then he shut the door and returned to +the office. + +After a time there came the noise of the dacoits. They soon entered +the police station and shouted: "Give up that Deputy Saheb. We know +he is here." + +"Deputy, what Deputy? I cannot understand. Where is he?" answered +the policeman. + +"Don't be shamming," returned the dacoits contemptuously, "thou +knowest well whom we mean. Produce him if you value your own life." + +In vain the policeman pleaded ignorance. His trembling limbs and +shaking voice belied his words. The dacoits bound him, searched +the police office, and then proceeded to hunt the house. "He is not +here. Let us not waste further time," said one. "Let's look well," +said another, "and search every place." Some climbed the machan and +discovered their victim. It did not take them long to drag him down, +and beat him mercilessly with their long sticks, till he became +unconscious. The policeman too was severely chastised. Him they +left lying there; but rolled the offending Magistrate in an old mat, +bound him tightly with a rope and carried him away to the river. + +As he was borne on their shoulders through the night air, he gradually +came to his senses but kept silent and listened to his captors. By +this time it was dawn, and they were at the river. The majority were +for re-crossing and burning him, dead or alive. One dissentient voice +struck him with surprise. It was his father-in-law's! Clearly he +was one of the gang! But scruples had overtaken him and he pleaded +that he might not be a witness of the projected murder of his +son-in-law. "Spare me! spare me!" he cried. + +Some jeered: "Ho! Ho! you still have a soft corner in your heart for +your son-in-law." At last they agreed that he might absent himself +and he apparently turned back. + +The others now put their burden into a boat and crossed the river. They +were laughing at the father-in-law's weakness, and as they approached +the ghat failed to observe a Government budgerow anchored there. It +was the Divisional Commissioner's. He was out on tour. The paharawalla +on deck checked them: "Do not make such a noise. The Saheb sleeps." + +They answered rudely and the watchman retorted angrily. The dacoits +loudly abused the man. + +The noise woke up the Commissioner, and he got out on deck with a +loaded revolver in his hand. The dacoits jumped from their dinghy and +ran up the bank. It was evident who they were and the Commissioner +fired, aiming at their legs. One man fell with a scream of pain but +scrambled to his feet and ran on. + +Nothing was to be gained by chasing them through the still dark +jungle. The Commissioner turned his attention to the boat. "Search +it" he ordered his watchmen. His quick eyes detected legs protruding +from a mat, and he was not surprised when his chaprassi called: +"Saheb, a dead man lies in it." + +The Deputy murmured feebly: "I am not dead. I live." The chaprassi +amended the first statement: "Saheb, he speaks." The Commissioner +jumped into the dinghi, cut the ropes that bound the unfortunate man, +and discovered the Deputy Magistrate. It did not take him long to +recover and pour his tale of woe into his Chief's ears. + +By sunrise they were all after the dacoits. Blood-drops marked the +way and, near by, they found the wounded man who, only able to hobble, +had hidden himself in a thicket. The Deputy Magistrate's father-in-law +was arrested. He was one of the leaders of the band. It did not take +long to capture the others. And after this, for a time, this part of +the Dacca district enjoyed peace from dacoits. + + + +All for Nothing + +A young and very high-caste Bengali lady was married to the son of a +rich man who lived near Hooghly, a small town within a short distance +of Calcutta. + +Some years passed, but there was no sign of a son and heir. The +parents-in-law were fond of the girl. She had won her way into their +hearts and they sympathised with her. Yet they longed to see the old +name being carried down the years, and whisperings grew into talk +of a second marriage for their son. The girl's parents were anxious +and distressed. + +Then a kindly Providence intervened, and after months of expectation +a little son lay in her arms, and both families rejoiced with the +girl and shared her pride in the boy baby. + +When the child was about a year old, the young mother's brother became +engaged to be married. The date was fixed and invitations sent to +the girl and to the family of her parents-in-law. It was arranged +that she and her baby should attend the wedding. + +Not far off, also in Hooghly, lived a widowed sister (of the girl) +in her father-in-law's house. She too was going to the wedding, +and it was settled that both sisters should travel in the same +boat to Calcutta. No male member of either family could accompany +them. Therefore, their father sent an old servant from Calcutta to +fetch them. This man was trusted and treated like a member of the +family, with whom he had been for years. + +The girl put together her clothes. Her good mother-in-law unlocked the +great safe and took out the girl's best jewels. An Indian wedding +is the occasion for a great display of clothes and jewellery, +and a well-dressed and richly-adorned bow raises the credit of the +mother-in-law, especially if the wedding is in the girl's own family; +so a careful selection was made. Baby was not forgotten either. Tiny +gold bangles and chains had been showered upon him at his birth, +and this was his first public appearance. + +They started early, so as to arrive during the afternoon. There was +to be a ceremony the next day and many guests had arrived at the +bride-groom's house, and all watched eagerly for the two sisters. But +the hours waned and still they tarried. Late in the evening, the old +servant arrived, agitated and all mud-bespattered. + +Family, guests and servants plied him with questions concerning +the sisters. Not a word would he reply. Suspicions soon voiced +themselves. Dacoits were about. Everyone knew of the wedding and the +consequent family gathering. Everyone knew too that the daughter was +the cherished bow of a rich family. + +Urged by these arguments and his own anxiety, the father threatened +to skin the man alive unless he spoke. Intimidated by his master's +anger, the servant stated that the boat had capsized and the sisters +and baby were drowned. + +The house of mirth and laughter was changed to one of weeping. But +the father did not accept the information in its entirety. He called +in the police and a vigorous search was made. All the boatmen were +found. They stated they had swum ashore but could or would give no +word of the ladies. + +The only possible clue was given by an Englishman living in a mill +on the river bank at Chinsurah. About midnight, on the date of +the disappearance of the ladies, he heard the cries of women and +a child. At first he had thought of going to see what was up. But +the sounds were coming from a thick jungle, and he argued it was +impossible any one could be there in trouble, and finally thought no +more of the seeming cries. + +This ill-omened happening broke up the wedding party. The marriage +was cancelled. All the preparations had been for nothing. To this day +the fate of the sisters is unknown. The bride and bridegroom-elect +were married to other parties. + + + +A Punjabee Dacoit + +In a railway train several Punjabee ladies sat on the lower berths +of a second class compartment, laughing and talking gaily. They +were, with one exception, all richly dressed and each of them wore a +quantity of jewels. The exception was a capable, good-looking woman, +of about twenty-five. Her short hair, neck and arms bare of jewellery, +and plain white saree, proclaimed her a widow. But like the others +she chatted merrily, and a listener would have learned from their +conversation that they had been attending a wedding, and were now +on their way home. Witty remarks about the guests, criticism of the +looks of the bride, and comparisons of this wedding with others, +passed from one to another, and whiled away the hours of the journey +as the train sped onwards. + +Night fell, and the ladies became silent. They rested against each +other and dozed at intervals. The widow sat on a trunk at the end of +the carriage and silently told her beads. The train slowed down and +stopped at a little station. Then the bell clanged and once again +they were on their way. The little station had not been left far +behind when a dark figure appeared on the foot-board of the ladies' +carriage, and a man's head was thrust in at one of the windows. A +startled exclamation from one of the party drew the attention of all +to the intruder, who was pulling himself up into the carriage. He +was very fierce-looking, wore a huge turban, and had a bushy black +beard. In one hand he held a knife and with the other he assisted +himself into the compartment, in spite of the ladies' protestations. + +Some of them began to cry but one or two bolder spirits ventured to +argue with him. In answer to their questions and objections, he said +roughly: "It is a long while before you will reach another station. I +have come for your jewels. If you give them to me quietly, I will +not hurt any of you; but if not--" and he looked very expressively +at the knife in his hand. + +After some few minutes, the ladies, who were inclined to oppose him, +yielded to the tearful advice of their more timid sisters, and one by +one they began to unclasp necklaces and belts and hand them over to +the dacoit together with bracelets, bangles and rings. The ruffian, +finding them docile, did not hustle them in any way but stood leisurely +receiving the spoil. Then he carefully folded all in a rich saree +and was knotting the ends together when the train suddenly stopped, +and an Englishman pushed open the door of the ladies' compartment +and sprang at him with the exclamation, "You scoundrel!" + +The sudden surprise and assault threw the robber off his feet, and +he fell sprawling on the carriage floor, with the Englishman on top +of him. In the meantime, the guard and others arrived and the thief +was secured and his hands and feet were bound together with his own +pugree, and he was removed to the guard's van. + +The widow was the heroine of the adventure. As soon as she saw the +man entering the carriage, she realised his purpose. Slipping into +the lavatory she climbed through the window there on to the footboard, +and pulled herself along by the carriage rods to the next compartment +where the solitary occupant, an Englishman, sat reading. + +He was amazed to see a woman clinging to the window of his carriage, +but fortunately he understood the language; and when she said "Help, +thief in the next carriage", he opened the door and got her into his +carriage without any delay. In a few words, she acquainted him with +what was happening in the next compartment. He immediately pulled +the alarm cord to stop the train, and hurried along the footboard to +the assistance of the ladies. They were profuse in their expressions +of gratitude to him, but he insisted that they owed their lives and +their jewels to their courageous friend. + + + +A Child's Experience + +Some years ago in a country place, not far from Calcutta, there lived +a well-to-do Bengalee gentleman. He was an old man; and his large +family consisting of sons, grandsons, and his brothers with their +wives and children, and many dependent relatives--all lived happily +together in their ancestral home. + +It was an old-fashioned house with verandahs, courtyards and many +rooms. In a large dalan or verandah all the family poojas were +celebrated. Here the daughters of the house were married, and for +generations the old walls had looked on at family gatherings and +festivities. + +There were extensive grounds round the house. Quite close to the zenana +there was a large kitchen garden which supplied all the vegetables +consumed daily in the house; and so plentiful was the produce that +large trays filled with vegetables were sent out every day as presents +to friends, relatives and to the neighbouring temples. + +A little further away was an orchard, and in spring the numerous +mango trees delighted all eyes with their blossoms. And there were +jack fruit trees, peaches, plums and guava trees in numbers, besides +long lines of plantains and palms of several kinds. + +In the garden, orchard and stables there were tanks and wells so +that the supply of water was sufficient for the needs of such a large +establishment. In front of the mansion there was a large ornamental +tank or lake with white marble steps leading to its waters. Here every +evening the men and boys of the family gathered to recreate and enjoy +the cooling south breeze, and they were often joined by neighbours, +and many a pleasant hour was spent on those marble steps. + +An avenue of trees and a high hedge rendered the house quite private, +and the roof was a lovely recreation place and promenade for the +ladles and girls of the family, who were all purdah. + +The old man's wealth was much discussed and the expensive clothes +and rich jewels of the ladies were often spoken of. One day the +old gentleman received a warning letter from a band of dacoits that +the house would be visited by them that night. After some hurried +consultation, the family packed up all their jewels and valuables +and sought shelter in flight. It was decided to spend the night at +a place a few miles distant. + +In the excitement a young mother was separated from her little boy, +a child of about three or four years of age. She concluded that he +was with some other member of the family in another carriage and did +not trouble herself about it. But on their arrival at their place of +refuge he was not found with any of the others. + +The mother's distress of mind was pitiful. She wished to return +for her child; but it was growing dark and there was the danger of +meeting the dacoits. So her wish was overruled, and through the long +night she suffered terrible anxiety, picturing in her mind all that +was perhaps befalling her little son. + +In the meantime the child was sleeping sweetly and peacefully in his +bed in his mother's room. Tired out with play, he had slipped into +bed unknown to any one and there he lay. + +About twelve at night the dacoits arrived and broke into the +house. They searched the empty rooms and were furious at finding no +valuables worth carrying away. They came to the room where the little +boy slept, and their loud voices awakened him. He sat up and, seeing +their strange faces and glaring torches, screamed with fright. One +of them threatened to kill him if he did not stop his noise. Another +stepped to the bedside and taking the little boy in his arms said: +"Little one, do not cry. No one will hurt you." + +The child recognised his father's servant and twined his little arms +around the man's neck. The other dacoits laughed and walked out of +the room leaving their comrade with the child. + +When daylight broke, the family returned home, and the poor young +mother flew through the house in search of her child. To her surprise +and joy she found him sleeping peacefully in her own room. Her +hysterical caresses awakened him and the little fellow could not +understand what ailed his mother. + +"Did nothing happen during the night?" she asked. "Did you see anything +or anyone, my son?" + +Rubbing his chubby knuckles in his eyes the sleepy little boy answered: +"Oh, yes, where were you, mother? A lot of men came. Some wanted to +hit me, but--(naming the servant) was with them, and he sent them +away. Then he gave me sweets and put me to sleep." + +The servant was arrested, and he confessed that he was one of the +band of dacoits who had sent the warning letter and had broken into +the house. Nearly the whole band was captured. + + + +Two Chinese Dacoits + +In a large house in Calcutta there lived an Englishman, his wife and +her sister. Mrs. C. was of a highly-strung and nervous disposition, +and as her husband's business frequently occasioned his absence from +home, they had persuaded her sister Ethel to come out to India on a +long visit. + +Ethel was a bright, lively girl, very practical and quite the opposite +of her sister, whom she often rallied for her timidity. Once when +Alice was more trying than usual, Ethel exclaimed: "Perhaps if I were +a little like you, Alice, delicate, nervous and silly, I might get +a husband who would fuss over me like Charlie does over you." + +Alice laughed at her sister's earnestness and said: "If you were not +healthy and strong-minded you would understand me better, Ethel." + +Not long afterwards the two ladies were left alone for some days as +Mr. C. was obliged to go upcountry on business. While he was away, +Ethel slept with her sister. It was the cold weather when night closes +in early and the evenings are long. Mrs. C. liked an early dinner, +soon after which she always retired. Ethel liked to spend the long +quiet evenings, reading or writing, and often sat up till midnight. + +One afternoon, while they were at lunch, a telegram was brought in, +and on opening it, Alice exclaimed delightedly "Charlie will be back +in time for dinner." + +The evening passed away till dinner time but Mr. C. did not arrive +and the ladies waited till nine o'clock. Then they dined, and when +the clock struck ten and still there was no arrival, Alice said she +would go to bed, as Charlie must have missed his train and the next +was not due till near midnight. + +Ethel looked up from her book and said: "Well, I am sleeping in my +own room." + +"O! you know I hate to be alone," exclaimed Alice; "you might come +and sleep in mine until Charlie comes in." + +"Alice, you are selfish," retorted Ethel. "I shall barely be in bed +before he walks in. The only thing for me is to go to bed in your +room in my evening dress." + +"How silly you are," said Alice peevishly; "why cannot you undress as +usual? Charlie may not come at all to-night and I dread being alone." + +"Oh, very well," said Ethel, "I will come and read in your room till +Charlie does come. I shall never marry a man who is always away on +business," With these words she forsook her easy chair and accompanied +her sister into the large bed-room. She threw herself on the side of +the bed and went on with her book. + +Alice undressed, got into bed and was soon asleep. Ethel finished +her book and then lay waiting for her brother-in-law. The lights in +the hall and on the landing were not extinguished, but the house was +still and quiet. It was near twelve and Alice was just wondering if +Mr. C. would really arrive or if it would not be better for her to +undress and get into bed comfortably when she heard gentle footsteps +on the stairs. + +"There's Charlie," she said to herself, "and how softly he is coming +upstairs! he is a considerate husband." + +She looked at her sister, saw that she was sleeping very soundly. "I +will pretend to be asleep too," said Ethel to herself and she drew +up the bed-clothes to hide her evening dress and put a pillow over +her head. + +To her disappointment, Charlie delayed his coming and she was wondering +if he was dining when the door slowly opened, but instead of Mr. C. two +Chinamen entered the room. Ethel stared at them from under her pillow +with amazement. At first they stood motionless beside the door. Then, +closing it noiselessly, they advanced into the room. Their quaint +clothes, long pigtails and red eyes together with their stealthy +movements and the hour of midnight, created an uncanny atmosphere in +the room, and for the first time in her life Ethel began to understand +what nerves mean. Never in her life had her pulses jumped and throbbed +as they were doing now. She controlled her inclination to scream and +from under her pillow watched the men. + +They examined the room and one of them approached the toilette table +and began to transfer the jewels and silver ornaments which lay upon it +to a capacious bag. The other took a big cigar out of his pocket and +lit it. Then he stepped to Mrs. C.'s side and began to puff the smoke +into her face. She was sleeping upon her back and though she at first +stirred uneasily she soon seemed to sink into a deeper sleep. After +a few minutes by her side, the Chinaman moved round to Ethel's side +of the bed; but seeing that her head was covered by a pillow and that +she was apparently fast asleep, he turned to help his comrade. + +At this moment Mr. C.'s voice sounded in the hall and he came +running upstairs, whistling gaily. The robbers exchanged alarmed +looks and hastily hid themselves and their bag of booty behind a large +almirah. Charlie opened the door and came into the room, saying "Alice, +where are you?" Approaching the bed he said "What, asleep!" and bent +over his wife. But she was in a deep slumber and oblivious of her +husband's presence. He noticed Ethel's form on the opposite side of +the bed and, walking gently round, touched her arm and whispered: +"Are you asleep too?" + +She lifted the pillow, stretched her arms, and then sat up on the +bed. He noticed her evening dress and was explaining his late arrival +when she jumped up crossly from the bed and saying, "Look at your wife, +is she not looking ghastly?" went out of the room. Charlie returned to +his wife's side and looked closely at her. Her face seemed strangely +pallid and her hands were cold. He endeavoured to wake her and was +still trying to rouse her when Ethel returned to the room followed +by several of the servants, who looked excited. + +In answer to his question, "What is wrong with Alice?" Ethel said +"There are two thieves hidden behind the almirah. Let the servants help +you to secure them and then you will know what is wrong with Alice." + +The two Chinamen were soon routed out from behind the almirah, +captured and handed over to the police. A doctor was summoned and +Alice was brought out of the stupor, she had been thrown into by the +fumes of opium smoke. + + + +An Unfaithful Servant. + +A rich zemindar named Bose lived in Lucknow, He had emigrated there +from Bengal, acquired land there, and studied the language until +he could speak Urdu like a Hindustanee. He became so much a native +of Lucknow that, when business took him down to Calcutta, he felt +himself a foreigner and stranger in Bengal. + +His wife was an invalid and, as the years told on her, he +had frequently to take her to Calcutta for medical advice and +treatment. Their only child was a daughter who was the darling of their +household. The second favourite in the family was a boy called Ram, +who though really a servant was treated like a son of the house and +both Mr. and Mrs. Bose were very fond of him. + +When quite a small boy, Ram had been taken into service in the Bose +menagé; and as his parents were both dead and he was remarkably quick +and intelligent, the zemindar took a fatherly interest in the lad and +had him taught to read and write. The teacher thought so highly of +Ram's intellect that he was taught one subject after another by his +indulgent master, and when he grew older, was especially educated +and trained for estate work. When his education was finished he +was appointed to be confidential clerk and cashier, and gradually +grew to know as much of Bose's money affairs as the zemindar did +himself. Whenever the rich man went on his estate, Ram went with +him. At times of collection, Ram had the office of counting the silver +and locking it up in the cash box. Frequently thousands of rupees +passed through his hands in this way, and he alone always knew what +amount of money the cash box contained. + +One year, Bose and the faithful Ram had been round the zemindari, +collecting rents; and, as many who had been in arrears paid up, they +returned with a larger sum of money than usual. This was locked up +in the cash box and Bose told his wife in Ram's hearing that next +day he should deposit it in the bank. The cash box was always kept +at night on a table by the zemindar's bed-side. + +The Boses had a large house in Lucknow and it was nearly always full, +as Mrs. Bose was fond of company and they invariably had a number +of relatives and friends staying with them. Mr. and Mrs. Bose slept +upstairs in a large south room, which opened into another large room +alongside of it. The only furniture in their room was their two beds +and a table which stood between the beds to hold the cash box and +a lantern. + +The night of the zemindar's return, his wife could not sleep. She +had been ill and she counted the hours as the night wore on. The +light of the lantern showed her husband's sleeping form, the naked +sword which always hung at his bedpost, and the bare white-washed +walls of the room. As she lay awake, Mrs. Bose thought she heard a +noise at the door leading into the other room. The noise came again +and she listened intently. Some one opened the door and then shut +it. Mrs. Bose kept still, listened and watched. Some one again opened +and shut the door gently, then again and again. It struck Mrs. Bose +that this was being done to ascertain whether the inmates of the room +were asleep or awake. She continued to keep perfectly still. + +Now the door was pushed wide open and Ram entered, and closed the door +softly behind him. When Mrs. Bose saw him enter, her first thought +was that he was the bearer of some bad news, and she very nearly +asked him what was the matter. But his stealthy movements made her +feign sleep and see what he was about; and as he approached her bed +on tiptoe, she closed her eyes and lay as if peacefully sleeping. He +stood beside the bed apparently watching her. Mrs. Bose's nerves were +tingling with fear, and it took all her powers of self-control to keep +her eyes closed and her breath steady. Just as the effort seemed more +than she could keep up, Ram moved away from her bed. + +Through her eye-lashes she watched him creep noiselessly to the table +and examine the cash box. Then he returned to the side of her bed +and coughed. Mrs. Bose again succeeded in keeping perfectly still +and he moved round to his master's bedside. Here he stood motionless +for some seconds and then unfastened the sword. The zemindar was +sleeping heavily and as he detached the sword Ram smiled to himself +as if everything was very satisfactory. He grasped the sword in his +right hand and made a trial stroke. Then, smiling again, he lifted +the curtain of the zemindar's bed with his left hand. + +Mrs. Bose felt sure that his motive was murder as well as robbery, and +she now shrieked loudly for aid. At the first sound of her voice Ram +dropped the sword and fled from the room. His wife's piercing screams +of "Murder! Help!" woke the zemindar, but by the time he understood +what had taken place Ram had let himself out of the house and was gone. + +When morning came the police were informed and the zemindar offered a +handsome reward for the arrest of Ram; but though the police hunted +in Lucknow and elsewhere and also searched the village where Ram's +relatives lived, no one knew anything of him and he was never again +heard of in Lucknow. + +Some years after, the old zemindar died and one of the last remarks he +made was: "I should like to know what has happened to poor Ram." He +had never forgotten his affection for his old protege, and had quite +forgiven him for his ungratefulness. + + + +PART II + +Tiger Stories + + +The Bearer's Fate + +Mr. Gupta, a Bengali gentleman, was a skilled engineer. The Government +thought highly of him and whenever any work of special difficulty +had to be undertaken, always chose him. + +At one time he was stationed at Hazaribagh. This district is even +now infested with tigers, and in those far-off days these lords of +the jungle roamed far and wide. + +There was then no railway. Travelling was done by palki or by +"push-push"---a box-like carriage on four wheels, in which the +traveller was forced to recline, and which relays of coolies pushed +before them. The roads were often mere tracks through dense forest. + +It happened that Mr. Gupta was ordered to report on some important work +a few miles away. His devoted wife carefully packed his luggage. They +were a happy couple and each short parting was a pain in their lives. A +trustworthy old servant always accompanied his master to camp. But +to-day to his mistress' surprise he begged not to go. + +When Gupta came in, his wife told him of the man's unwillingness to +accompany him. + +"Nonsense!" said Gupta, "he will have to go. What has happened to him?" + +"I think he is ill" the wife excusingly replied, her tender heart +full of the man's wistful face and strange manner. Still she agreed +with her husband and told the bearer, he must go with his master. + +"Forgive me, I have high fever, Ma-ji," he shivered, addressing her +by the honoured name of mother, as is the custom of Indian servants +in an Indian household. + +She turned again to her husband who said: "I know what is in the +poor old fellow's mind. He has an idea he will be killed by a +tiger. However, tell him there is no danger. I am taking a large +number of bearers and he can keep near the palki." + +Mrs. Gupta tried to cheer the servant with this information but he +wailed: "Ma-ji, I am afraid. Surely a tiger will kill me to-night." + +"Do not fear," consoled the kind lady. "Your master will take good +care of you." "Go you must," she continued in a firm tone. "There is +no one except you who knows his ways and can see to his comfort. Now +get ready quickly." + +"Oh, Ma-ji," he sobbed like a child, "I obey, but my heart is heavy." + +Mr. Gupta had to travel through the night. After an early dinner he +started, attended by many palki-bearers and the old servant. The moon +rose bright and glorious and bathed the picturesque country in soft +radiance. The silence of the forest was broken only by the rhythmic +cries of the bearers and the pat-pat of their feet. The first stream +was reached and the bearers asked for a halt. Consent granted, they +went into the stream to drink of the deeper water. The old servant +crouched by the palki. + +"Thirstest not?" kindly asked his master. + +"Babu-ji, I feel nervous. I will stay near you." + +Gupta wondered what might have unstrung the man, and felt sorry for +him. "Come and sit close to me," he said. + +The night was cold and the old bearer, huddled in his blanket, sat +on the edge of the palki door. + +Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a rapid crash +through the dry grass near the palki, and with a thrilling roar a +tiger leapt at the man and dragged him away. The palki shook, and +the bearer's piteous cry "Babu-ji, Babu-ji, I told you" filled the +forest, and echoed and echoed again as the tiger bore him away. Then +all became still. + +Gupta realised what had happened. He lay back sick with horror, and +felt as if he were the guilty one. For many a day the old man's dying +wail rang in his ears. + + + +Through the Roof + +They were laying the railway through the Hazaribagh district, and +in a low-roofed bungalow at Giridih lived the Engineer in charge of +the work. He was a young Englishman and his only recreation in this +dreary place was riding and shooting. + +The coolies lived in frail little mat houses in the same enclosure +as his bungalow. One morning they came to him in a body to tell him +that during the night a tiger had carried off one of their cows. The +next morning another cow was missing, and on the third his servants +awakened him with the news that his Arab pony was gone. + +He loved the little animal. Many a mile had he scoured on its +back. "Stripes" must be punished for this. He would sit up the coming +night and watch. + +Babus, servants and coolies loudly approved. What was life worth with +such nightly happenings? and the lord of the jungle would surely come +again. Had he not discovered a well-filled larder? + +Work over, the young man loaded his gun, and after dinner took up +his position and awaited the enemy. A reliable servant sat up with him. + +The bungalow was raised on piles a few feet from the ground. It had +brick walls but a thatched roof which sloped very low down on all +sides. The wooden windows were closed. Our friend sat at one of them +with the Venetians slightly stretched. The bungalow was dark and still. + +At last a strange odour filled the air and then the heavy breathing of +the tiger was audible. It came and stood just outside the window. The +young fellow noiselessly pointed his gun through the Venetians and +fired. An angry growl told that the tiger was wounded. Then it charged +forward with a furious roar. The Englishman fired again and this +time thought he had finished it. But the animal charged again with +increased rage. After several attempts at the window it leapt for +the roof and succeeded in clutching the eaves and scrambled up. The +terrified servant cried: "Saheb, come into another room". + +"Don't be a fool!" shouted his master, "the tiger can't come through +the roof." + +In their huts the poor coolies heard the shots and the terrible roars +and growls and dared not come to their master's assistance. The tiger +tore and scratched the thatch with all his might and soon made a +hole. "Look! Saheb!" screamed the servant, "he comes through". + +"I have a loaded gun in my hand", the Saheb replied. + +The hole speedily grew larger as the great cat clawed and growled. The +servant could stand it no longer. He bolted into the next room, +shutting the door between. There he shivered and shook till morning, +when he fled to the railway station a couple of miles away and told the +Sahibs there his tale. They got guns and horses and rode over. They +peered through the shutters and saw the tiger in the room. It +soon scented them and charged with a mighty roar. They retreated +without dignity to a safe distance where all stopped. One said, +"I say! we must see what has happened to the poor chap". Another: +"So many of us and loaded guns! We must do something". A third: +"let's get back and kill the beast". + +They went back and fired shot after shot through the shutters +till the animal was killed. Then they broke into the room and found +their luckless comrade dead on the floor, his loaded gun still in his +hand. The tiger must have killed him with a slap of its mighty paw, and +sat on his body all night, but clearly the animal was not a man-eater. + + + +Earning the Reward + +A man-eating tiger was roaming through Hazaribagh station. It had +killed many villagers and had become so daring that it entered the +market-place in broad day-light. + +A poor old tailor on his way home one evening was seized by the +blood-thirsty animal, and his screams for help filled the little +town. The morning light showed traces of the struggle between man +and beast, and where the latter had been dragged from the main road. + +The villagers did puja that night that all might be saved from a like +fate. A few days after, a ploughman and a little boy stood talking +about the tiger. "How do you know that he won't catch you?" asked +the boy. + +The ploughman answered confidently: "I have done puja". Barely had +the words passed his lips than the tiger leapt upon him. The boy was +startled, but not realising his own danger not only did he not run +but also caught up a stick and tried to save his friend. In spite +of his hitting it the animal began to devour the unfortunate man, +snarling threateningly the while. Then the boy threw away the stick +and fled to the village. The news roused the villagers and they +determined to try to rid themselves of their foe. Armed with spears, +sticks and heavy bamboos they followed the boy to the scene of the +tragedy. But the tiger was gone. + +The Government had offered a handsome reward to any one who would +succeed in killing this tiger and now a poor shop-keeper determined +to win it. He knew nothing of shooting but worked up the ambition +of a friend who could shoot and had a couple of guns. Together they +essayed the difficult job. Difficult it was. The tiger seldom returned +to his kill, nor stopped at a kill any length of time, and was known +to have killed three or four victims in one day. + +However they hoped for success. The villagers had been very careful +of late and the tiger had consequently been obliged to go hungry. It +was just possible he might return to the kill. So they got permission +for a mangled body to be left there, and built a machan near it. At +sunset they took up their places and watched. + +At first the pair felt cheerful. A brilliant moon illuminated +the whole country making everything as clear as day. But no tiger +came. And later, as the hours dragged on, their cramped position, +the nearness of a dead body, the silence and mystery of the night, +all got on their nerves, and they wished they had not attempted such +a task. But to leave now would be dangerous. So they did their best +to encourage each other and waited on. + +In the small hours of the night they distinctly heard the tiger coming +and saw a huge black shadow moving stealthily towards their tree. The +animal looked enormous in the uncertain light and each thought the +machan too low and wished himself in his house in the village. Neither +dared to speak or move. + +Not far from the machan was a hillock. The tiger, after stalking +round the tree, went to the corpse, smelled it, and then crossing to +the hillock climbed up and sat himself there. The men felt sure he +could now see them. + +The tiger began to sniff as if he scented them. Then it yawned +and snarled. The men sat fascinated. Presently the great head +turned towards them. The shopman pulled the trigger of the gun he +held. There was a deafening roar and the tiger disappeared from the +hillock. Then all became still. They knew by the roar of pain that he +was hit. Tigers are clever and often feign death when wounded. They +dared not descend. They were not sure that he was killed. At any +moment he might attack their tree. Comrades in enterprise and fear, +they sat gripping each other in the darkness, for the moon had now set. + +The villagers had heard the shot and at day-break came to the +spot. They found the tiger lying dead at the foot of the hillock. The +heroes could barely descend from the machan, so stiff and aching were +their bones. Together they received the plaudits of the village and +shared the Government reward which to them was quite a small fortune. + + + +A Burmese Monster + +Some years ago Government sent an engineer and party to explore and +prospect in the forests of Burma. None returned. Their disappearance +was a mystery. + +The authorities decided to send another party to ascertain the fate +of the first and continue the work. To induce volunteers, a handsome +salary was offered; and at length an Englishman came forward. He +asked for twice the number of native attendants that the first man +had had. Government granted him his request and provided him with +every facility procurable and he started. + +He followed the course taken by his predecessor up a large river. He +travelled in a big boat and his men in smaller ones. Here and there +they came upon traces of the former party. They pushed on. Suddenly +all indications of the missing ones ceased. He felt he had better stop +and investigate. Tents were landed and pitched and the men began to +prepare their evening meal. + +As he sat in his tent reading, he heard loud shouts and some of +his coolies rushed to him. They said that as they were cooking they +saw a great black thing hanging from a tree above them. When they +made a noise it disappeared. It was long and thick and black. The +coolies were frightened out of their wits and refused to remain in +that place. Argument was of no use; so the tents were taken down and +the party moved on. + +Another spot was selected and here they stayed peacefully for some +days. Suddenly a man was missing. Then another and another! Each +disappeared when alone. The coolies were frightened and uneasy. But +this time the Sahib managed to control them. He himself was anxious +and puzzled. + +Next a coolie who had gone to the river to scour vessels after a meal +disappeared. The plates and lotas were scattered about just as if +he had been suddenly seized. The Englishman thought that a crocodile +must have taken him off. + +Soon after this incident the engineer was fishing in the river opposite +to the camp, and he noticed two coolies coming to the river. They +sat down at the ghat and began to scour their vessels. The murmur of +their voices reached him. + +Presently the boatman clutched his arm and pointed to the bank. He +looked. One of the coolies was chasing a huge hairy monster. The +other could not be seen. + +The engineer soon crossed the river and joined the coolie, still in the +chase after the strange creature. As usual, the Saheb carried a loaded +revolver and as he ran he fired several shots at the animal. They +had no effect on it. The beast ran on with heavy lumbering strides, +covering the ground with great rapidity and only once glancing back +over its shoulders with a horrible grin. He could not overtake it and +it disappeared into the thick jungle. Its hair was so long that it +completely covered the man it carried in its powerful arms. It was +some kind of an orang-outang. + +The mystery was now cleared up. The engineer returned. His task +was accomplished. Later he wrote an account of this adventure and +concluded with these words:--"Now when I see a great hairy spider I +tremble! and the remembrance of that monstrous black form returns to +me, and the hideous grin that thrilled me. Never can I forget it." + + + +The Palki and the Tiger + +In a lonely village in the Hazaribagh district the peaceful dwellers +were one evening disturbed by shrill cries of distress. When they +gathered round the house from whence the cries came, they discovered +that a ghastly murder had been committed. The headman of the village +immediately despatched two messengers for the police. These men +started in the dawn and reached the Police outpost just before sunset. + +The Inspector-in-charge was a Bengalee, named Bose, who was a very +intelligent officer and keen on his work. As soon as he received +information of the murder, he ordered one of his staff to arrange for +a push-push (carriage which is partly drawn and partly pushed by men) +and a set of bearers. He quickly put together a few requisites for +the journey, and was soon ready. The night was not far advanced when +the orderly returned with a push-push and eight bearers, and Bose +started off, attended by his cook and body-servant. + +The road lay through a forest. At times the path was so narrow and +rocky that the men could make little progress, and at last they +declared that the road was impassable for a wheeled conveyance, and +that it was necessary for the Inspector to change into a palki. One +of them said that about two miles off the road there was a village, +and that in the village there lived a rich Hindustani merchant who +might lend a palki. Bose was pleased at the suggestion and told the +push-push bearers to take him to the village. They needed no second +bidding, and the Inspector was soon being trundled across the paddy +fields that lay between the village and the road. Arrived there, +he hastened to the merchant's house and asked to see him. + +A handsome up-countryman came out and when, he saw that his visitor +was a gentleman he courteously asked him to enter and be seated. The +Inspector soon explained his necessity for a palki, and the rich man +placed his at the disposal of the police officer. "But Jenab (Sir)," +he said, "tigers are bad in this forest and you have to pass through a +part known to be a favourite haunt of theirs. Have you any fire-arms?" + +"Only my revolver," said Bose "but I must push on and take my +chance." And as the palki now stood ready and the bearers declared +themselves refreshed, he thanked his host for his ready assistance, +bade him farewell and started once again. + +The bearers were full of spirits after their rest at the merchant's +house and for a mile or two travelled at a rapid pace; but the narrow +winding road impeded their progress, and as the night advanced the +eerie sounds of the forest must have got on their nerves. At the +commencement of the journey they had beguiled the march with stories +of tigers and bears met in the forest, but after some hours of travel +they became silent; and beyond the usual directions of the forward +men concerning the road and occasionally a shrill cry to scare away +wild animals, they made no remarks to each other. + +Within the palki, Bose lay fitfully dozing. The night was oppressive +and his thoughts were on the murder and his chances of a successful +capture of the wrong-doer. The road had become wider and level and +the men were going along at a good pace, when suddenly they dropped +the palki to the ground and fled in all directions. Bose shouted: +"What is up? Why have you run away?" No answer greeted his ears but +a strange odour penetrated his nostrils and he knew there was a tiger +in the jungle. He quickly pulled the doors of the palki jamming them +as securely as he could with the ends of his razai (quilt). Then he +tore the strong border off his dhoti (loin cloth) and commenced to +bind the handles of the doors together. He had just finished firmly +lashing together the handles on one side when he heard an ominous +growling. With frantic haste he bound the handles of the opposite doors +together, praying fervently that he might escape the jaws of the tiger. + +The animal continued growling. Evidently the dark bulk of the palki +frightened him. Bose sat inside, huddled in a heap and breathless. The +tiger, re-assured by the stillness of the object before him, ceased +growling; and presently, the soft thud of his feet and his sniffing +round the palki told the trembling man within that 'Stripes' was +making an investigation. + +Now a mighty roar shook the jungles and Bose realised that the tiger +had leapt upon the roof of the palki and was scratching furiously at +it. Bose clutched the handles of the doors and held on to them with the +grip of despair. The tiger scratched and growled and finally bounded +off the top and began a vigorous assault upon the side. The palki +toppled over on to its other side. Poor Bose congratulated himself +that now one of the doors rested upon Mother Earth and he could give +his whole energy to defending the other. He gripped the handles with +renewed determination and waited. + +The tiger had sustained a shock at seeing the unknown monster he +was tackling roll over, and for a time satisfied himself by growling +savagely. But as the monster lay still "Stripes" tried the experiment +of a sharp blow with his paw. The palki rested on uneven ground and +the blow made it rock. The tiger waited awhile; and when the rocking +had subsided administered another stroke. The palki rocked again. The +situation now developed into a game between the huge cat and the +palki. When he slapped the palki rocked; and when the palki ceased +vibrating the tiger slapped again. Inside the palki, the Inspector +held on to the handles of the door and prayed for deliverance. + +At last the tiger, wearied of the game and purring loudly, walked +away. Bose breathed more freely but knew not if the danger was +past. There he lay gripping the handles of the door and wishing for +daylight. At last the dawn broke and with the first rays of light +courage returned to the bearers and servants, who were hiding in +the branches of the surrounding trees. They called to each other, +expressing anxiety as to their master's fate. Finally, as the daylight +grew stronger they encouraged each other to descend and approach +the palki. + +As they examined it with wonder some very cutting remarks from within +assured them of their master's existence, and with many apologies +for the abrupt way in which they had abandoned him they righted the +palki and assisted him out. + +The journey was soon resumed and Bose had the satisfaction of arresting +the murderer in spite of his ill-timed adventure and forced delay. + + + +An Assam Adventure + +Some years ago, an English baron came out to India to enjoy some +tiger shooting. He received invitations to many Native States, and was +having a right royal time. In the course of his wanderings he came to +Assam. In those days, the jungles of Assam swarmed with tigers but a +"man-eater" was very rarely known there. + +Sir M. was in a small camp with just two or three other guns, and all +were hopeful of "bagging" a tiger, for the roaring of the lords of the +jungle could be heard almost every night. The tents had been pitched +on the bank of a river and all round the camp and on the opposite +bank was heavy jungle. Wild animals abounded in these jungles and the +camp servants did not appreciate the site. No sooner had the Sahebs +finished their dinner than the servants disappeared into their tents, +and securing themselves within, as strongly as they could, devoutly +hoped that the morning light would find them still alive and unharmed. + +One evening Sir M. retired to his own tent immediately after dinner. He +was very tired but as he was not sleepy, he made himself comfortable +and settled down on a long-sleeved chair with a book. His tent was +a small one, with a camp cot, a couple of chairs and a table. On the +table stood a reading lamp. M. was soon absorbed in his book and did +not notice how the hours fled. The camp became quiet and still. It +was a dark close night and the door of his tent stood open, for he +was a lover of air. He had read on for some time when his attention +was drawn to a movement of his tent wall. It seemed to him as if +some one or something was rubbing along the side. He put down his +book and got on to his feet to see what it could be. As he was about +to step forward the head of a tiger loomed in the doorway, the eyes +gleaming brightly. Sir M. stood motionless with surprise and "Stripes" +stepped into the tent. He was a fine specimen of a Royal Bengal tiger, +and M. forgot everything in his admiration of the noble animal. + +The table with the lamp upon it stood between Sir M. and the tiger, +and each stood on either side of it gazing at each other. As the silent +seconds passed, Sir M. realized that he was in danger and bethought +him of his rifle which was almost within reach of his hand; but he +dared not move and so continued gazing steadfastly at his visitor. The +tiger too stood, surveying his vis-a-vis and then began to move round +the table. The lamp either attracted or annoyed him and he raised +his paw to the table. The weight of the huge paw tilted the table, +the lamp toppled and fell with a crash. The terrified tiger gave a +mighty roar, turned tail and fled. + +The camp was aroused. Everyone shouted and rushed out into the night, +armed with some weapon or other. Sir M. related to his brother guns +what had happened and they all enjoyed a good laugh and rather envied +him for the fine sight he had of such a superb specimen of the kings +of the jungle. + + + +A Thrilling Story + +One evening, in Assam, a young Englishman was driving along a lonely +jungle road. He wished to visit a neighbouring Saheb; and though his +servants had warned him that tigers had been frequently seen on that +particular road, he had laughed at their fears and told them that +the only tiger to be feared was a "man-eater", and that there were no +"man-eating" tigers about that district. As usual in the mofussil of +India, he was going out to dine and sleep, and his bearer had put up +his clothes and his suit case was stowed into the dog-cart. + +The road was a good one and considerably wide, for it was the main +thoroughfare in the district and along it tea, jute and all other +agricultural products were transported to the river for export to other +districts of India and also to Europe. Nevertheless it was bordered +on either side by dense jungle, and there were few villages in its +vicinity. After sunset it was a road little frequented by villagers +and it had the reputation of being tiger-haunted. + +There was no moon and, as B. had not started much before sunset, +darkness soon overtook him on the road. As he had no syce with him +he got down to light the trap-lamps and jumped in and drove on again +very cheerily. He was not far from where he must turn off the main +road to the narrow one leading to his friend's estate, when the pony +suddenly took fright at something and bolted. At first B. tried to +pull the animal up; but its erect ears and wild snorting showed him +that there was cause for alarm. He looked over his shoulder and in +the dim starlight discerned the bulk of some animal in pursuit of +them. An eerie feeling came over him and he wondered what was going +to happen. He sat tight in his seat and let the pony race on. The +chase continued and the pony began to show signs of collapse. It was +evidently being overcome by fear and, in spite of all B.'s urging, +could not keep up the pace, and the pursuing animal gained upon +them. B. had just determined to leap from the cart when the pony +tripped and fell and B. was shot out of the cart. He fell into the +long grass on the side of the road, and had barely collected himself +when a dark form sprang upon the pony. + +The poor animal neighed with fear but kicked and fought its +foe. B. rolled down the side of the road and began to crawl away +through the jungle as fast as he could. Long grass and thorny brambles +grew on either side of the road and as it was the dry season every +movement of his made a crackling and rustling; and often he fancied +he heard an animal in pursuit of him, or he would imagine he was +about to meet one coming through the jungle towards him. He pressed +on as fast as he could, sometimes crawling and sometimes walking, +and at last he saw the glimmer of lights and came to some huts. He +shouted to the inmates who came to his assistance. + +When they discovered a Saheb in such a plight they were full of +concern, helped him to their huts, gave him hot milk to drink and +washed his wounds. His clothes were torn and his hands and knees +bleeding from his flight through the thorny jungle. The sympathising +villagers emptied a hut for him to rest in, and when morning came +escorted him to the scene of his mishap. + +The mangled remains of his poor pony told him that the wild animal +had been a very famished tiger. B. returned to his own bungalow a +wiser man, and told his servants that, had he taken their advice, he +would not have suffered such an adventure or the loss of his pony. He +rewarded the villagers for their kindness and hospitality and for a +long time his escape was the talk of the district. + + + +A Cachar Tiger + +In the province of Assam lies a fertile and picturesque valley called +Cachar. Shut in on north, south and east by lofty hills, this valley +remained hidden for centuries and was never conquered by any of the +Mahommedan rulers of India. + +Here a race of aboriginal kings held sway, and it was the East India +Company who first became masters of this hilly corner of Bengal. In +1830, the last of the old Cachari kings died without heir, and +"Company Bahadoor" took possession of the little kingdom. + +In 1855, the discovery of the tea-plant, growing wild in the jungles, +opened out a new industry, and soon the low-lying hills, knolls and +undulating plains of the little valley became gradually clear of +jungle, and covered instead with row after row of carefully-kept and +trim tea bushes. To-day acres upon acres of tea are grown in Cachar; +and the inland steamers, which ply all through the rainy season up +and down the wide-rolling stream of the river Barak, bring down for +export millions of pounds of tea for the "cheering cup". + +Cachar is rich in forests, and tigers and other wild animals are there +in plenty. During the monsoon the jungle animals retreat to the higher +levels of the forest-clad hills. But when the rains abate they begin +to gradually descend; and when the great "hoars" or fenlands dry up +at the approach of the cold season, numerous tigers take up their +winter haunts in the patches of jungle, which grow here and there in +the marsh lands, and in the forests which often surround or separate +the tea gardens. + +It was cold-weather time about forty years ago, and four planters +sat talking after dinner in the Manager's bungalow on a tea garden +in Cachar. We will call them M., B., C. and H. + +The bungalow, like many bungalows in tea districts, stood on a +high hill, the steep sides of which had been terraced and planted +with tea. On adjacent but lower hills stood the factory and coolie +lines. Everything was quiet and lay wrapped in a heavy fog. + +In the verandah near the steps sat the bungalow chowkidar +(watchman). The charity of the Tea Company had provided him and his +fellow-coolies with blankets. And he wore his in the usual pachim +(North-West Provinces) style: one end of the blanket is pleated and +tied closely with a piece of string, the short part above the cord +forming a tuft. The wearer pulls the pleated end of the blanket over +his head, the tuft resting on his crown. The sides of the blanket are +drawn round the body, and thus the blanket is made to form both a hood +and a cloak, in which the wearer hugs himself against the inclemency +of the weather. + +The chowkidar sat on his mat huddled up in his blanket, droning one +of the time-honoured bhajans (hymns) of India. + +Presently he disappeared and, next, piercing yells rent the mist-laden +atmosphere. The four Sahebs were in the verandah in a trice, and soon +discovered the chowkidar returning to the verandah, visibly shaken +and without his blanket. + +"What is the matter, and who shouted?" asked the Manager. + +"Saheb," the chowkidar replied in a quavering voice "a tiger sprang +on me and caught the knot of my blanket." + +"Here!" interrupted the four Englishmen incredulously. + +"Yes, Huzoor (Your Honour), as I sat here against this post the tiger +came, seized the knot of my blanket and began to pull. Like lightning +I made my plan. I grasped with a strong tight hold the sides of the +blanket and holding myself together like a ball I let Lord Tiger +pull. He dragged me to the edge of the tila (hill). There I suddenly +let go the blanket and shouted with all my might. The tiger fell over, +down the hill, and is gone." + +Sure enough, there were the foot-marks of the tiger, the mark of +the drag, and the signs of where "Stripes" had slipped over and down +the terrace. + +The tiger had been harrying the coolies for some time and a rumour +had got about that he was a man-eater. It was pretty certain that he +would come again the next night; so the planters determined to sit +up and shoot him. + +On the following night after dinner M. B. C. and H. took their +positions on the verandah. Each had his loaded gun and all waited +patiently for the tiger. Time passed. It was weary work and they dozed. + +M.'s dog had wandered off to the kitchen as usual after dinner. After +some time it returned hurriedly and ran up the steps of the verandah, +barking in a frightened manner. The dog's barking woke the four +men. B. sat first near the steps and H. not far from him in a +dining-room chair. + +The dog ran into the dining-room and hid himself under the table and +everything again became quiet, and the men waited. Suddenly a hoarse +cry paralysed three of them. "He's on me. Shoot." + +The tiger had come up on to the verandah and springing at B. caught him +by the arm. Then, releasing the arm, he made a spring at his victim's +throat. B. was instantly on his feet and, as the tiger essayed his +throat, he rammed his clenched fist into the animal's mouth. The +tiger shook the man's fist out of its mouth and made another attempt +to reach his throat. B. repeated his manoeuvre. This happened three +or four times. + +In the meantime the other three men dared not shoot for fear of missing +the ferocious cat and killing their comrade. H. had the presence of +mind to swiftly fix his bayonet, and, rushing towards the tiger, he +thrust it in the animal's side, firing as he did so. The tiger fell +backwards off the verandah mortally wounded, but to the amazement +of the Sahebs struggled tip and made another attempt to get at B. He +was however too badly wounded and fell back dead. + +B.'s hand and arm were terribly mauled, and after medical treatment +he had to go home on long leave. + + + +A Maharajah's Adventures + +A Maharajah of Bengal who became a noted sportsman shot his first +tiger when he was quite a small boy. When about twelve years of +age he went out on a shoot one cold weather on his estate. He was +accompanied by some of his relatives, and they encamped in one of +the forest bungalows. This bungalow was just an ordinary Assam house +built on a chang or raised platform. It consisted of a large centre +room with a bedroom on either side and a deep verandah in the front, +where the servants slept at night. Under large trees, some little +distance away, the elephants were chained, and not far off were +stables for the horses. + +The Maharajah shared his room with a friend, a lad about two years +older than himself. One night between ten and eleven o'clock, when +all were in bed and asleep after a tiring day and an early dinner, +the near roaring of a tiger awakened the camp. In a twinkling the +servants had transferred themselves and their bedding from the verandah +into the centre room and securely bolted the door. Roar after roar +sounded through the night, but the young Maharajah slept the healthful +and deep sleep of tired childhood and the mighty voice of the lord +of the jungle did not disturb him. His friend was awakened by the +majestic sound and lay trembling with fear; envying his blissfully +unconscious companion, until the nearness of the tiger broke down +his self-control and, vigorously shaking his bed-fellow, he shouted +in his ear: "Tiger, tiger!" + +The young Maharajah awoke, yawned, stretched and listened. The roaring +had ceased but under the bungalow they could hear the purring of a +tiger as it rubbed itself against a post. The younger and fearless +boy laughed with glee and assured his friend that there was no danger +of the tiger getting into the bungalow, and that on the morrow they +would be easily able to track and shoot it. Soon the sounds of purring +and rubbing gave place to others, and the occupants of the bungalow +realised that more than one tiger played beneath them. Next day in +the jungle near the forest bungalow the party shot a couple of tigers, +a tigress and her cubs. + +In later years the Maharajah became famous for his shoots and many and +varied were his adventures and experiences. One year he was in camp +with a large party and they were out one afternoon after buffaloes. A +fine bull was driven out of a patch of thick jungle and faced the guns +with defiance in his eyes. He was a grand target and the Maharajah's +finger ached to pull his trigger, but courtesy forbade him and he +generously, as always, left the fine prize for his guests. But, one +after another, each missed his shot and the noble bull charged past +into thicker jungle. As the line of guns attempted to follow, one +of them spied a leopard up on a tree looking thoroughly scared. This +animal had evidently been disturbed by the commotion in the forest and +had been so terrified that it had climbed into a tree for shelter; and +there, on a branch, poor "Spots" fell an easy prey to the sportsmen. + +One of the strangest adventures that the Maharajah had was when, +returning to camp one evening, he was informed that one of his largest +and best elephants, "Kennedy", had got stuck in quicksand. In many +parts of Assam there are quicksands and quagmires. This particular one +chanced to be in a nala (stream). The elephant had refused to cross +the partially dried-up stream. Instinct had warned him through the +tip of his trunk that danger lurked there, but his mahout (driver), +anxious to get into camp after a hard day and knowing that across +this stream was a short cut, had forced him. They had advanced but +a yard or two when the huge animal began to sink, and the more he +struggled and strove to extricate himself the deeper he sank. The +Maharajah hastened to the spot as soon as he heard of the catastrophe, +for "Kennedy" was a fine and valuable elephant and a steady one for +shikar (shooting). At the sound of his master's voice poor "Kennedy" +looked towards the bank, and the Maharajah saw that great tears of +anguish were rolling down the poor beast's face as he bellowed in +an agony of fear. The Maharajah directed the men who had gathered +around the scene to fell some saplings, which were conveyed to the +nala by some smaller elephant and pushed into the quagmire towards +"Kennedy". The poor entrapped animal seemed to understand that efforts +were being made to rescue him, and he obeyed his driver's now soothing +voice and held himself still. At last, the combined labours of men +and brother-elephants provided a safe footing of submerged saplings +and branches; and "Kennedy" pulled himself out of the treacherous +sand and was escorted back to the camp with great rejoicings. + +Not long after this "Kennedy" distinguished himself in another way, +but this time evoked the displeasure and not the pity of his good +master. An engineer, named Ashton, had charge of the feilkhana +(elephant stables) and had once severely punished "Kennedy". After +the manner of his kind, the elephant bore the memory of the outrage +in his heart and waited the opportunity to be revenged. One morning +the camp was astir for a shoot. The guests stood ready outside +their tents and the elephants were waiting to carry them into the +forest. Suddenly "Kennedy" charged at Ashton, who stood a little +apart from the group, and flinging him to the ground began to roll +him under his feet. The Maharajah, with wonderful presence of mind, +immediately ordered "Debraj", a larger and more powerful elephant than +"Kennedy" and his rival in the feilkhana, to the rescue. "Debraj's" +mahout ordered him to charge at "Kennedy", and, urged forward with +voice and prong; "Debraj" did so with a good will. When "Kennedy" +saw his ancient enemy charging at him, he forgot his grudge against +Ashton, and, considering that "he who fights and runs away lives to +fight another day", he bolted, with his trunk in the air. Ashton was +picked up from the dust very much shaken by his rolling and fright but, +to the astonishment of every one, in no way injured. + +During one of his shooting expeditions, the Maharajah and his +companions decided one night that they would go out on foot at +the very break of dawn and see the animal world in the jungle; and +they were well rewarded for their adventurous spirit. In a glade +of the forest they had a magnificent sight of a large herd of bison +peacefully grazing in the dewy grass. They could hear tigers and bears +passing back through the jungles to their dens in the deeper forest, +and as the men stood there admiring the grand heads of the bison a +monstrous tiger passed along quite close to one of the party, the +Maharajah's brother-in-law. On the bank of a river they came upon +a nest of young pythons. The guests thought it was a curious mound; +but the Maharajah recognised the reared heads of the young snakes and +told his friends what the heap was. When they came closer, they could +see that the long slimy bodies were all twisted together; and with an +uncanny feeling, the sportsmen watched these serpents uncoil themselves +from each other and glide away and disappear through the grass. + +Once, after a long and fruitless day in the jungles, the Maharajah +decided he would try his luck stalking some deer that he spied on the +opposite side of a narrow strip of jungle. He accordingly left his +elephant and began to creep through the long dry bramble-choked grass +with his rifle in his hand. As he pushed his way through the thick +jungle he fancied he heard an animal breathing and then something +crackled. Intent on the deer before him, he concluded that he had +broken a twig or a branch with the end of his rifle and pushed on. As +he emerged from the thicket on the opposite side from where he had +entered, he came face to face with a group of shepherds. They stared +at him in amazement and then, recognising him as their Maharajah, fell +at his feet in rapturous joy. Accustomed as he was to demonstrations +from his people, their abandon struck him as something unusual, and he +was about to question them when they exclamed: "Hoozoor, Dharmabatar, +(Your Honor, Royal Master,) how did you come in safety through that +jungle?" He smiled at their wonderment and was about to chide them +gently when they continued: "An immense tiger has just slain one of +our cows and dragged it into that very jungle from which Your Honor has +emerged." The Maharajah now understood that the sound he had heard as +he pushed his way through the jungle was the tiger enjoying a feed of +his kill, and he felt thankful that he had not stumbled directly upon +it. Like the keen sportsman he was, he signalled his elephant and, +mounting it, secured the feasting tiger with an easy shot. + +One cold season, the Viceroy was enjoying a shoot on the Maharajah's +estates. One evening, as they were dressing for dinner, there came +through the stillness of the restful air the "twitter" of a tiger. Do +many of my readers know what the "twitter" of a tiger is? It is a sound +the Monarch of the Jungle makes and it is just like the twitter of a +bird;--in fact, some declare it is only the twitter of a bird. Well, +on this particular evening, the tiger must have been passing quite +close to the camp, for his "twitter" was clear and unmistakeable. The +Maharajah, with his usual courtesy, immediately bethought himself of +his guests, and invited Their Excellencies to come out into the open +and listen to the novel sound. They did, and very pleased and proud +they were when they heard the tiger's "twitter" clearly and distinctly +through the gathering shade and stillness of the darkening night. + +The shooting camps were invariably pitched on the bank of a river or +stream. One evening, two of the servants crossed the shallow stream in +front of the camp to enjoy some fishing. They found a suitable place +behind a mound and here they sat quietly watching their lines. The +afternoon hours passed swiftly and the sun was nearing the horizon +when their attention was simultaneously drawn to a sound above their +heads. Looking up, to their horror, they saw an immense tiger just +above them. One of them shivered with terror and, clutching his +companion, said in a hoarse whisper: "Our hour has come." The other +whispered back: "Keep perfectly still and quiet." Breathless, the two +watched the huge tiger descend the bank and pass majestically to the +edge of the water where he stopped to quench his thirst. It seemed to +the two trembling men that it took the Lord of the Jungle fully half +an hour to drink his fill. Then, as slowly and impressively, the tiger +turned from the stream and ascended the bank. When he reached the top +he stood there, gazing before him either as if admiring the scenery +or contemplating a meal off one of the men. The pair scarcely dared to +breathe and wild schemes of taking to their heels to gain the centre of +the stream and swim down the river shot through their brains. At last +the tiger slowly turned away from the river and disappeared into the +forest. Then, after some time, the frightened servants hurried across +the stream back to camp, and told the Maharajah of their terrible +experience. The footprints of the animal corroborated their story +and their asseveration that they had seen a very very big tiger. + +During one of the shoots, the shikaris (native sportsmen) brought news +that a rhino had been seen in a certain jungle. The guests were much +excited and a beat was organised for the next day. The morning dawned +and all set out and were soon posted to their various positions. The +front "stop" guns were on the bank of a river. The Maharajah was in +the beating line. When about half way through the piece of jungle +he noticed that one of his brother guns looked disappointed. He +accordingly asked "What's up?" The guest answered that he thought that +a large animal had broken back. However nothing was discovered and as +it was mid-day a halt for lunch was considered desirable. A spot was +soon selected and the signal given and the lines broke up. Just as +the foremost elephants were about to kneel to permit their riders to +dismount, there arose from the "stop" elephants a cry of "Tiger". In +the jungle, quite close to one of the "stop" guns, a tiger was enjoying +a feed of a wild pig; and as the elephant turned to join the others, +he almost trod on the tiger. In a moment the line was re-organised, +but the surprised tiger, finding itself surrounded by foes, turned +tail and ran down the bank of the river. The stream was nearly dry +and the bed was very shingly, and as the startled tiger picked its +way gingerly across the pebbles and pools of water it looked like a +stranded cat. It had not progressed very far when a well-directed shot +laid it low; and with this unexpected prize the party sat down to lunch +in excellent spirits. As rhino generally fight shy of elephants, they +did not think there was much use continuing the beat after lunch. So +they decided that they should make tracks for home and have general +shooting. General shooting means that there is no beating line. A +long straight line of march is formed, and each gun elephant is in +between the pad or beating elephants. The Maharajah was almost the +last gun in the line. Nearly all were out of the jungle when his keen +and practised eye noticed a small pad elephant jib at something as +they passed through a piece of jungle. "Did your elephant refuse to +come through?" he questioned the mahout of the small elephant. "Yes, +Maharajah, he smelt something in the jungle," the man replied. "Beat +this piece of jungle", the Maharajah quickly ordered the pad elephants +with him. They beat it and drove forth a rhino which fell dead to the +Maharajah's gun. Before His Highness had time to take up his other +rifle, a second galloped out of the jungle and charged straight at +the Maharajah's elephant. The elephant spun round to avoid the furious +onslaught and in the meantime the Maharajah managed to raise his gun +and, getting in his shot in spite of the gyrations of the elephant, +laid out rhino No. 2 in grand style to the applause of his companions. + +Coming back to camp in the dusk one evening, the Maharajah, who had +wonderful eyesight, thought he saw a tiger lying still in an open +field. He raised his gun and whispered to his mahout. As they came +nearer, the tiger--for tiger it was--raised itself to its feet and +prepared to spring at the elephant. Too late! Snap went the Maharajah's +trigger and the royal beast lay dead. + +These are but a few of the shooting adventures of a sportsman-Maharajah +who has gone on the long journey from life to the greater life beyond, +but whose memory lives in the annals of Bengal as a keen and successful +shot. + + + + + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by +Maharanee Sunity Devee + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10928 *** diff --git a/10928-h/10928-h.htm b/10928-h/10928-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bc1fd8d --- /dev/null +++ b/10928-h/10928-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2727 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> + +<html lang="en-uk"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by Maharanee Sunity Devee</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + +body +{ +font: 100%/1.2em "Times New Roman", Times, serif; +margin: 1.58em 16%; +text-align: left; +} +/***** Titlepage *****************************************************/ +.titlePage +{ +border: #DDDDDD 2px solid; +margin: 3em 0% 7em 0%; +padding: 5em 10% 6em 10%; +text-align: center; +} +.titlePage .docTitle +{ +line-height: 3.5em; +margin: 2em 0% 2em 0%; +font-weight: bold; +} +.titlePage .docTitle .mainTitle +{ +font-size: 1.8em; +} +.titlePage .docTitle .subTitle, .titlePage .docTitle .seriesTitle, .titlePage .docTitle .volumeTitle +{ +font-size: 1.44em; +} +.titlePage .byline +{ +margin: 2em 0% 2em 0%; +font-size:1.2em; +line-height:1.72em; +} +.titlePage .byline .docAuthor +{ +font-size: 1.2em; +font-weight: bold; +} +.titlePage .figure +{ +margin: 2em 0% 2em 0%; +} +.titlePage .docImprint +{ +margin: 4em 0% 0em 0%; +font-size: 1.2em; +line-height: 1.72em; +} +.titlePage .docImprint .docDate +{ +font-size: 1.2em; +font-weight: bold; +} +/***** End Titlepage *****/ +.transcribernote +{ +background-color:#DDE; +border:black 1px dotted; +color:#000; +font-family:sans-serif; +font-size:80%; +margin:2em 5%; +padding:1em; +} +.advertisment +{ +background-color:#FFFEE0; +border:black 1px dotted; +color:#000; +margin:2em 5%; +padding:1em; +} +.width20 +{ +width: 20%; +} +.width40 +{ +width: 40%; +} +.indextoc +{ +text-align: center; +} +.div0 +{ +padding-top: 5.6em; +} +.div1 +{ +padding-top: 4.8em; +} +.index +{ +font-size: 80%; +} +.div2 +{ +padding-top: 3.6em; +} +.div3, .div4, .div5 +{ +padding-top: 2.4em; +} +.footnotes .body, +.footnotes .div1 +{ +padding: 0; +} +.apparatusnote +{ +text-decoration: none; +} +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, .pseudoh1, .pseudoh2, .pseudoh3, pseudoh4 +{ +clear: both; +font-style: normal; +text-transform: none; +} +h3, .pseudoh3 +{ +font-size:1.2em; +line-height:1.2em; +} +h3.label +{ +font-size:1em; +line-height:1.2em; +margin-bottom:0; +} +h4, pseudoh4 +{ +font-size:1em; +line-height:1.2em; +} +.alignleft +{ +text-align:left; +} +.alignright +{ +text-align:right; +} +.alignblock +{ +text-align:justify; +} +p.tb, hr.tb +{ +margin-top: 1.6em; +margin-bottom: 1.6em; +margin-left: auto; +margin-right: auto; +text-align: center; +} +p.argument, p.note, p.tocArgument +{ +font-size:0.9em; +line-height:1.2em; +text-indent:0; +} +p.argument, p.tocArgument +{ +margin:1.58em 10%; +} +p.tocChapter +{ +margin:1.58em 0%; +} +p.tocSection +{ +margin:0.7em 5%; +} +.epigraph +{ +font-size:0.9em; +line-height:1.2em; +width: 60%; +margin-left: auto; +} +.epigraph span.bibl +{ +display: block; +text-align: right; +} +.trailer +{ +clear: both; +padding-top: 2.4em; +padding-bottom: 1.6em; +} +.figure +{ +margin-left: auto; +margin-right: auto; +} +.floatLeft +{ +float:left; +margin:10px 10px 10px 0; +} +.floatRight +{ +float:right; +margin:10px 0 10px 10px; +} +p.figureHead +{ +font-size:100%; +text-align:center; +} +.figAnnotation +{ +font-size:80%; +position:relative; +margin: 0 auto; /* center this */ +} +.figTopLeft, .figBottomLeft +{ +float: left; +} +.figTop, .figBottom +{ +} +.figTopRight, .figBottomRight +{ +float: right; +} +.figure p +{ +font-size:80%; +margin-top:0; +text-align:center; +} +img +{ +border-width:0; +} +p.smallprint,li.smallprint +{ +color:#666666; +font-size:80%; +} +span.parnum +{ +font-weight: bold; +} +.leftnote +{ +font-size:0.8em; +height:0; +left:1%; +line-height:1.2em; +position:absolute; +text-indent:0; +width:14%; +} +.pagenum +{ +display:inline; +font-size:70%; +font-style:normal; +margin:0; +padding:0; +position:absolute; +right:1%; +text-align:right; +} +a.noteref, a.pseudonoteref +{ +font-size: 80%; +text-decoration: none; +vertical-align: 0.25em; +} +.displayfootnote +{ +display: none; +} +div.footnotes +{ +font-size: 80%; +margin-top: 1em; +padding: 0; +} +hr.fnsep +{ +margin-left: 0; +margin-right: 0; +text-align: left; +width: 25%; +} +p.footnote +{ +margin-bottom: 0.5em; +margin-top: 0.5em; +} +p.footnote .label +{ +float:left; +width:2em; +height:12pt; +display:block; +} +/****** Tables ******/ +td.sum +{ +padding-top: 2px; border-top: solid black 1px; +} +/****** Poetry ******/ +.lgouter +{ +margin-left: auto; +margin-right: auto; +display:table; /* used to make the block shrink to the actual size */ +} +.lg +{ +text-align: left; +} +.lg h4, .lgouter h4 +{ +font-weight: normal; +} +.lg .linenum +{ +color:#777; +font-size:90%; +left:-2.5em; +margin:0; +position:absolute; +text-align:center; +text-indent:0; +top:auto; +width:1.75em; +} +p.line +{ +margin: 0 0% 0 0%; +} +span.hemistich /* invisible text to achieve visual effect of hemistich indentation. */ +{ +color: white; +} +.versenum +{ +font-weight:bold; +} +/***** Drama *****/ +.speaker +{ +font-weight: bold; +margin-bottom: 0.4em; +} +.sp .line +{ +margin: 0 10%; +text-align: left; +} +/***** End Drama *****/ +/* right aligned page number in table of contents */ +.tocPagenum, .flushright +{ +position: absolute; +right: 16%; +top: auto; +} +span.corr +{ +border-bottom:1px dotted red; +} +span.abbr +{ +border-bottom:1px dotted gray; +} +span.measure +{ +border-bottom:1px dotted green; +} +/****** Font Styles and Colors *****/ +.letterspaced +{ +letter-spacing:0.2em; +} +.smallcaps +{ +font-variant:small-caps; +} +.caps +{ +text-transform:uppercase; +} +/* overline is actually a bit too high; overtilde is approximated with overline */ +.overline, .overtilde +{ +text-decoration: overline; +} +.rm +{ +font-style: normal; +} +.red +{ +color: red; +} +/***** End Font Styles and Colors *****/ +hr +{ +clear:both; +height:1px; +margin-left:auto; +margin-right:auto; +margin-top:1em; +text-align:center; +width:45%; +} +.aligncenter, div.figure +{ +text-align:center; +} +h1, h2 +{ +font-size:1.44em; +line-height:1.5em; +} +h1.label, h2.label +{ +font-size:1.2em; +line-height:1.2em; +margin-bottom:0; +} +h5, h6 +{ +font-size:1em; +font-style:italic; +line-height:1em; +} +p,p.initial +{ +text-indent:0; +} +p.firstlinecaps:first-line +{ +text-transform: uppercase; +} +p.dropcap:first-letter +{ +float: left; +clear: left; +margin: 0em 0.05em 0 0; +padding: 0px; +line-height: 0.8em; +font-size: 420%; +vertical-align:super; +} +.lg +{ +padding: .5em 0% .5em 0%; +} +p.quote,div.blockquote,div.argument +{ +font-size:0.9em; +line-height:1.2em; +margin:1.58em 5%; +} +.pagenum a, a.noteref:hover, a.hidden:hover, a.hidden +{ +text-decoration:none; +} +ul { list-style-type: none; } +.castlist, .castitem { list-style-type: none; } +/***** External Links *****/ +.pglink +{ +background: url(images/book.png) center right no-repeat; +padding-right: 18px; +} +.exlink +{ +background: url(images/external.png) center right no-repeat; +padding-right: 13px; +} +.pglink:hover +{ +background-color: #DCFFDC; +} +.catlink:hover +{ +background-color: #FFFFDC; +} +.exlink:hover +{ +background-color: #FFDCDC; +} +body +{ +background: #FFFFFF; +font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; +} +body, a.hidden +{ +color: black; +} +.titlePage +{ +color: #001FA4; +font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; +} +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, .pseudoh1, .pseudoh2, .pseudoh3, .pseudoh4 +{ +color: #001FA4; +font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; +} +p.byline +{ +font-style: italic; +margin-bottom: 2em; +} +.figureHead, .noteref, .pseudonoteref, span.leftnote, p.legend, .versenum, .stage +{ +color: #001FA4; +} +.rightnote, .pagenum, .linenum, .pagenum a +{ +color: #AAAAAA; +} +a.hidden:hover, a.noteref:hover +{ +color: red; +} +p.dropcap:first-letter +{ +color: #001FA4; +font-weight: bold; +} +sub, sup +{ +line-height: 0; +} +.pagenum, .linenum +{ +speak: none; +} +.xd20e93 +{ +text-align:center; +} +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10928 ***</div> + +<div class="front"> +<div class="titlePage"> +<div class="docTitle"> +<div class="mainTitle">Bengal Dacoits and Tigers</div> +</div> +<div class="byline">by<br> +<span class="docAuthor">Maharanee Sunity Devee, C.I.</span><span class= +"docAuthor"><br> +of Cooch Behar</span></div> +<div class="docImprint">Calcutta:<br> +Thacker, Spink & Co.<br> +<span class="docDate">1916</span></div> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e91" href="#xd20e91" name= +"xd20e91">3</a>]</span></p> +<div class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<p class="xd20e93">Printed by N. Mukherjee, B.A., at the Art Press, 1, +Wellington Square, Calcutta <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e95" +href="#xd20e95" name="xd20e95">i</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="toc" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Contents</h2> +<p><i>Dacoit Stories</i></p> +<ul> +<li><a href="#ch01">The Jhee’s Discovery</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch02">Trapped by a Cobra</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch03">Saved by a Bear</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch04">Raghu Dacoit</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch05">Girl as Kali-Ma</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch06">The Deputy Magistrate</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch07">All for Nothing</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch08">A Punjabee Dacoit</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch09">A Child’s Experience</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch10">Two Chinese Dacoits</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch11">An Unfaithful Servant</a></li> +</ul> +<p><i>Tiger Stories</i></p> +<ul> +<li><a href="#ch12">The Bearer’s Fate</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch13">Through the Roof</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch14">Earning the Reward</a><span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e152" href="#xd20e152" name="xd20e152">ii</a>]</span></li> +<li><a href="#ch15">A Burmese Monster</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch16">The Palki and the Tiger</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch17">An Assam Adventure</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch18">A Thrilling Story</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch19">A Cachar Tiger</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch20">A Maharajah’s Adventures</a></li> +</ul> +</div> +</div> +<div class="body"> +<div class="div0"> +<h2>Dacoit Stories</h2> +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e177" href="#xd20e177" name= +"xd20e177">1</a>]</span> +<div id="ch01" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>The Jhee’s Discovery</h2> +<p>It was the month of <i>Jaishta</i> (May-June) in Bengal, and the +earth languished under the scorching rays of the sun and sent up a +voiceless prayer to the Rain God to come soon and refresh the fields +and jungles with the welcome <i>“barsat”</i> (rainy +season).</p> +<p>Yet, in spite of the intense heat, a young and delicately nurtured +Bengali lady was travelling. She was on her way to pay a visit to her +parents-in-law, for after marriage the bride returns to her +childhood’s home and remains there, paying visits from time to +time to her husband’s home until the day comes when she goes to +live there.</p> +<p>It is a Bengali custom that ladies, especially young ladies, must +always wear their jewellery, even when travelling. Arms, wrists, neck +and ankles, bare of jewels, are a sign of widowhood or dire poverty. +Out young heroine was accordingly adorned with jewels and she was also +richly attired. Was she not the daughter of a wealthy man and going to +visit her mother-in-law? So her mother had lovingly dressed her in an +exquisite gold-embroidered <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e193" +href="#xd20e193" name="xd20e193">2</a>]</span>Benares silk <i>saree</i> +of finest texture and superb workmanship, and the jewellery, which +adorned her graceful arms, neck and ankles, was in keeping with the +richness of her costume.</p> +<p>Twelve bearers took turns in carrying the covered palanquin or +<i>palki</i> in which she travelled. They had been in her +father’s service for many years and were known, to be +trustworthy. A faithful <i>jhee</i> (maid) accompanied her, sometimes +walking beside the <i>palki</i> and at other times sitting within, to +fan her young mistress and help to enliven the weary journey with tales +of former travels. Two men-servants, whom in Bengal we call +<i>durwans</i> and who are permitted to bear arms in defence of their +masters’ goods, completed the party. One of them walked on either +side of the <i>palanquin</i> and each carried a naked sword in his +hand. These two men were tried and trusted retainers of the young +lady’s father, and were prepared to defend their master’s +daughter even at the cost of their lives.</p> +<p>The route lay through a lonely country district with stretches of +rice-fields scattered between, and villages nestling here and there +among groves of trees. At. one of these villages the party halted +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e217" href="#xd20e217" name= +"xd20e217">3</a>]</span>awhile for rest and refreshment, and then on +again in the fierce heat of a close Indian day.</p> +<p>Thus many miles had been passed; and the evening shades were +beginning to cool the wearisome day, when the travellers drew near to a +group of trees not far from a small tank (artificial lake). The +<i>palki</i>-bearers sighted this ideal resting-place and asked the +<i>jhee</i> to inform their young mistress of it, and beseech that they +might stop there and refresh themselves with a draught of water, after +which they would be able to travel still faster,</p> +<p>A gracious consent was readily given by the fair one within the +<i>palanquin</i>. She had found the heat almost beyond endurance, and +pitied the bearers who had the weight of her <i>palki</i> and herself +added to their sufferings.</p> +<p>The <i>palanquin</i> was gently set down under a large and shady +tree, and the <i>durwans</i> respectfully withdrew a little distance to +permit of the <i>jhee</i> raising the covering, so that their kind +mistress might also enjoy the grateful shade and coolness of the +grove.</p> +<p>The spot was lonely and their responsibility great, so the men +decided among themselves that they should divide into two parties. Six +should <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e248" href="#xd20e248" name= +"xd20e248">4</a>]</span>remain with the guard to protect their fair +charge in case of any untoward happening while the other six refreshed +themselves at the lake.</p> +<p>This plan was no sooner agreed upon than the first six trooped off +gleefully towards the tank. The others stretched themselves in the +shade and relaxed their limbs in the interval of waiting.</p> +<p>Time passed unheeded till it dawned upon some of those who waited +that they still thirsted and that the first six seemed too long away. +They asked the <i>jhee</i> to obtain leave for them to go and hurry the +others up and refresh themselves at the same time, so that the journey +might soon be resumed as the evening sun was nearing the horizon, and +if they delayed further night would overtake them. The young lady gave +the desired permission and the second six soon disappeared towards the +tank. They too were long away!</p> +<p>The <i>jhee</i> felt uneasy but kept her fears to herself. Suddenly +she too disappeared. Without a word to her mistress she had decided to +see what the bearers were doing at the tank. Climbing up a tree, she +crept along an overhanging branch and a dreadful sight met her +horrified gaze. Some of the bearers lay dead in the shallow water and +the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e263" href="#xd20e263" name= +"xd20e263">5</a>]</span>surviving ones were fighting desperately for +their lives with a small band of outlaws.</p> +<p>Rushing back to the <i>palki</i> with the utmost speed and +regardless of onlookers, she flung wide the door, screaming +frantically, “Dacoits! dacoits! run, <i>didi</i> (elder sister), +run. With these eyes of mine I saw them. I climbed a tree and saw them. +Some of our bearers lie dead and they are killing the others. Fly! fly +for your life!” With these words she turned and led the way with +swiftness impelled by fear.</p> +<p>The lonely occupant of the <i>palanquin</i> received the awful +tidings with horror and dismay. Often had she heard tales of dacoits +and their ruthless deeds. For a fleeting instant the thought, that she +must fall a victim to such desperados, paralysed her with fear; but +only for an instant. Her woman’s wit and ingenuity moved her to +action. Quickly she divested herself of her heavy jewelled anklets. How +could she run thus weighted? and might not their value satisfy the +greed of the highwaymen? Flinging them down in the <i>palanquin</i>, +she hastily closed the doors and dropped the covering over its sides. +Let them think she was within. The search of the <i>palki</i> would +delay them awhile. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e284" href= +"#xd20e284" name="xd20e284">6</a>]</span></p> +<p>Then tucking up her rich <i>satee</i> she too started to run for her +life. She had gone but a few steps when the voices of the two +<i>durwans</i> arrested her. They had heard the <i>jhee’s</i> +distracted cry, and their only thought was for their young +mistress.</p> +<p><i>“Didi,”</i> they said, addressing her affectionately +and respectfully by the endearing name of sister, which is a custom +permitted in Bengal to the servants of every household. In the home of +her girlhood a girl is addressed as <i>“didi”</i> (sister) +and in her father-in-law’s house as <i>“bow”</i> +(son’s wife). Sons of the family are addressed as +<i>“dada”</i> (brother, strictly elder brother) and +sons-in-law as <i>“jamai”.</i></p> +<p>“<i>Didi,</i> fear not! As long as there is breath in these +bodies we will defend you. If the dacoits overtake us, we will guard +you. No harm shall come to you.”</p> +<p>Encouraged by their presence and words, the girl made all possible +speed. But her delicate feet were unused to rough, hard roads, and, +despite her will and brave efforts, she tripped and stumbled +continually. In Bengal, in the hot dry weather, the country roads are +difficult to traverse. The deep ruts of the rainy season dry up and the +once muddy <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e319" href="#xd20e319" +name="xd20e319">7</a>]</span>earth crumbles into thick heavy dust, into +which the feet of the wayfarers sink. Fast travelling is difficult even +for those who are used to journeying, so the poor young lady made +little headway and was soon overtaken by her pursuers. They had not +been long in discovering her flight and were soon racing after her from +under the tree. As she ran she heard their shouts, and then realised +that they had caught up with her guard who were resisting them.</p> +<p>The poor girl ran on and on alone, and presently saw a tiny hamlet +hidden among some trees. She made for this as fast as her trembling +limbs could carry her and rushed breathlessly into a small red +brick-house, the door of which stood slightly ajar, crying: “Shut +the door! Dacoits are following me!” Then, overcome with fear and +exhaustion, she sank unconscious upon the floor.</p> +<p>The ladies of the little household ran forward on hearing her cry +and shut the door promptly. Dacoits were known and feared everywhere. +Then they tenderly ministered to the stranger. As soon as she recovered +her senses, she related to them what had befallen her and implored +their protection.</p> +<p>The master of the house immediately despatched <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e327" href="#xd20e327" name= +"xd20e327">8</a>]</span>a messenger to a distant police outpost for +aid. Soothed and comforted, the girl eagerly hoped and prayed for the +arrival of her attendants.</p> +<p>After some time, word was brought in that a <i>palki</i> was +approaching. Even in the dark the approach of a <i>palki</i> is made +known by the rhythmic cries of the bearers. Soon it arrived in front of +the red brick-house and the bearers, halting, asked loudly if a strange +lady, richly attired and decked with jewels, was within. From an upper +window the master of the house answered them, while the girl and her +kindly hostess listened anxiously downstairs. The pseudo +<i>palki</i>-bearers next informed the listeners that they were the +servants of a very wealthy man and had been conveying his daughter to +her parents-in-law’s house.</p> +<p>“But” they boldly declared, “our master’s +daughter is such a troublesome girl. She causes us much anxiety +whenever she is sent to visit her mother-in-law. She is so unwilling to +go that it is with great difficulty that we get her safely +there.”</p> +<p>The anxious listeners within felt sure these were the dacoits and +longed for the arrival of the police. The disguised thieves persisted +in their questioning for some time in spite of the house <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e345" href="#xd20e345" name= +"xd20e345">9</a>]</span>master’s repeated advice that they had +better search elsewhere. At last they departed carrying the +<i>palki</i> with them. And the dwellers in the red brick-house +breathed more freely. But not for long.</p> +<p>The village was a tiny one and the pretended bearers soon returned +from their search. Planting the <i>palki</i> in the doorway, they +shouted: “We know for certain that our mistress is hiding +somewhere. We feel sure she is in your house. Here we will sit till you +send her forth.”</p> +<p>On hearing these words the poor pursued girl fell at the feet of her +host, calling herself his daughter and addressing him as +“father”, and implored of him not to give her up to these +awful dacoits. The good man assured her of his protection while his +wife raised her from the floor, and, embracing her, said they would all +sooner suffer death than give her up.</p> +<p>The trying hours dragged on till past midnight. Then the dacoits +announced that the lady must be produced or they would force an +entrance into the house. No reply was given to this ultimatum. The +highwaymen waited awhile and then assailed the door with heavy blows. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e359" href="#xd20e359" name= +"xd20e359">10</a>]</span></p> +<p>The distraught girl besought her hostess to take her jewels and hand +them out to the burglars and thus ensure peace and safety for all. The +mistress of the house declared this would not satisfy the ruffians and +once more assured her guest that, whatever happened, they would strive +to protect her.</p> +<p>Presently the door gave way and, with coarse oaths and triumphant +threats, the dacoits entered. But unknown to them,—so busy had +they been hammering and swearing,—the police had arrived and now +followed in on their heels. The dacoits were all captured and confessed +their guilt as to the murder of the <i>palki</i>-bearers and the +probable death of the two <i>durwans</i>, who, they averred, had fought +like tigers.</p> +<p>The bodies of these two devoted servants were found, all battered +and bruised, on the roadside and were given honourable cremation by +their master, whose daughter they had saved by their devotion.</p> +<p>The <i>jhee</i> was found close to the spot, hiding among the +branches of a tree. She had witnessed the fight between the +<i>durwans</i> and dacoits and the flight and pursuit of her mistress. +When both reached home again, the <i>jhee</i> filled up dull hours with +vivid accounts of their adventure. <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e383" href="#xd20e383" name="xd20e383">11</a>]</span> This little +story is a true one and shows how difficult and dangerous travel was in +the old days in Bengal. Travelling by <i>palki</i> is now in many parts +a thing of the past, for the whole Province is being linked together by +a network of railways. Good roads and better police arrangements also +lessen the terrors of travelling in places where railways are still +wanting. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e389" href="#xd20e389" name= +"xd20e389">12</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch02" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Trapped by a Cobra</h2> +<p>Not many years ago a young married lady was journeying alone.</p> +<p>It is not customary in India for young women, even if married, to go +out by themselves. The <i>purdah</i> system unfits them for +independence. Even when going for a short distance by <i>palanquin</i> +or just for a carriage drive, a chaperon is necessary.</p> +<p>Yet occasions arise when it is imperative that they should journey, +but no suitable escort can be found or spared for the purpose. They are +then obliged to go with servants. It may seem strange that young ladies +should be permitted to travel alone with servants. But readers who know +India will not be surprised, for Indians treat their servants after the +patriarchal system, especially those who have served the family for +generations. Even hired attendants, like the driver in this story, are +thoroughly trusted when known to the family.</p> +<p>The young lady was on her way to visit her father and mother. Indian +parents-in-law cannot visit at the parental home of their +daughter-in-law. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e407" href= +"#xd20e407" name="xd20e407">13</a>]</span>Therefore <i>bow-ma</i> +journeyed alone with her little son, a child of about five years of +age.</p> +<p>The distance was not a long one, only from Calcutta to Durgapore, a +village a few miles away from the city. So a hackney-carriage was hired +with a driver who had often before been employed by her father-in-law, +and everyone felt assured <i>bow-ma</i> would reach her destination +safely.</p> +<p>Her mother-in-law saw her into the carriage. Her little boy was +lifted up beside her, and, with many injunctions to drive carefully and +with speed ringing in his ears, the driver whipped up his horses and +they were off.</p> +<p><i>Bow-ma</i> knew the road well. Often had she journeyed to and fro +in the early years of her married life, and even after the birth of her +little son her visits to her parents had been frequent.</p> +<p>The carriage was close and her heavy silken <i>saree</i> hot to +wear, so she opened the venetians and lazily watched the familiar +landmarks as they passed. She had started early so that the journey +should be accomplished in day-light, and still they did not reach home. +She noted the various trees and hedges and was puzzled. Surely, the +road seemed different. The sun, a ball of golden fire, <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e428" href="#xd20e428" name= +"xd20e428">14</a>]</span>sank to rest in a bed of many-tinted clouds, +and still they had not arrived. <i>Bow-ma</i> felt strangely +anxious.</p> +<p>The carriage suddenly swerved. To her dismay she saw they had turned +into a rough and untravelled road with paddy-fields on either side. The +place seemed lonely. It was now rapidly growing dark, for in India +after sun-set Night does not long delay her coming. A presentiment of +evil clutched <i>bow-ma’s</i> heart. She whispered to her little +boy to ask the driver where they were and when they should arrive. In +India it is not permitted a woman to address any man save her husband, +father, and brothers.</p> +<p>The child obeyed but the driver made no reply. “Ask +again,” whispered the mother, “he has not heard +you.”</p> +<p>The boy asked, “When shall we arrive?” again and again, +but not a word answered the driver.</p> +<p><i>Bow-ma</i>, now thoroughly alarmed, beat the shutters of the +carriage and commanded her son to shout loudly. The boy screamed at the +top of his voice, “Why don’t you reply? What road is +this?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e447" href="#xd20e447" +name="xd20e447">15</a>]</span></p> +<p>The driver now answered disrespectfully: “You will soon know +where you are going,” and laughed.</p> +<p>His rude gruff tone and evasive answer confirmed +<i>bow-ma’s</i> worst fears. The awful word <i>dacoits</i> stood +out in her mind in letters of fire. Horror and dread filled her soul. +Drawing her child towards her, she hushed his eager questioning and +waited in silent anguish for the coming danger.</p> +<p>The carriage bumped and rattled over the uneven road. Presently it +stopped. It was now almost dark. The door was jerked open and a harsh +voice commanded: “Get out of the carriage.” <i>Bow-ma</i> +recognised the driver’s voice and, realising the futility of +objecting, without a word she stepped down and helped her little son to +alight.</p> +<p>“Follow me” was the next rough order. Again she silently +obeyed. The man left the road and led her a little distance away under +the shadow of some trees. “Take off your jewels. Give them to +me.” A faint sigh of relief escaped her. Perhaps the jewels were +all he wanted. Quickly she unclasped her handsome necklet and gave it +him. He grasped it greedily with one hand and extended the other for +more. One by one she stripped her <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e465" href="#xd20e465" name="xd20e465">16</a>]</span>wrists and +arms of their lovely bracelets and bangles and handed them to him. +“More” he growled. She pulled the rings from her fingers +and added to them her ear and nose rings. “Your waist +chain” he snapped. She unclasped and dropped its golden weight +into those greedy hands. “Take off your anklets, I want +all” he sneered. She knelt on the ground to unclasp them. Then, +rising, handed them to him, wondering what more would follow.</p> +<p>Meanwhile the child wept bitterly, and angrily forbade the driver to +take his mother’s jewels, calling him robber and thief. +“Yes, dacoit I am,” the scoundrel replied to the +boy’s revilings, “and if you will not be quiet, I will +teach you how to.” <i>Bow-ma</i> gently strove to console and +silence her son. “Fret not! Your father will give me more and +better jewels.”</p> +<p>“Take off your <i>saree</i>” was the next outrageous +command. The boy’s indignation flamed afresh. His mother took an +unguarded step forward and asked: “Are not my jewels enough that +you want the <i>saree</i> off my back?”</p> +<p>“Aye, your <i>saree</i> and all you have. Silence your child +or I will kill him.” Terrible was the <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e485" href="#xd20e485" name= +"xd20e485">17</a>]</span>harsh voice in its determination. +<i>Bow-ma’s</i> heart stood still. Entreaty would be of no avail. +She unwound the richly-embroidered silken folds from about her and cast +the gold and green <i>saree</i> at his feet: “Take it.”</p> +<p>“You have stripped my mother,” screamed the boy. The +ruffian caught the <i>saree</i> with a fearful oath and turning on him +said: “Now I can deal with you. I will fetch a brick from yonder +kiln and pound the breath out of you,” With these words he strode +forward, tying the jewels in the <i>saree</i> as he went. Now her +sorely-tried nerves gave way, and, distracted with grief, <i>bow-ma</i> +caught her child in her arms, and their mingled cries rent the air. But +the thief did not return.</p> +<p>About midnight a village policeman going his rounds heard their +cries. At first he paid no heed to them: jackals swarmed and disturbed +the night. Again the anguished voices quivered in the air. There was +something human in the sound. He stopped to listen. The cries rose +again. He walked forward in their direction. Clearer, as he advanced, +shrilled the distressed voices, and he recognised they were those of a +woman and a child. He quickened his steps and hastened to the spot. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e506" href="#xd20e506" name= +"xd20e506">18</a>]</span>The light from his lantern revealed +<i>bow-ma</i> and her son, clinging to each other and weeping +piteously.</p> +<p>“Who are you? What ails you?” he asked. The distraught +mother, unconscious of the flight of time, thinking him the heartless +dacoit returned to kill her boy, fell at his feet in an agony of +supplication: “Spare my son. Take my life instead.”</p> +<p>“I am a <i>chowkidar</i> (watchman). What is up?” But so +dulled were her ears with fear and grief that he was twice obliged to +repeat his words. When the joyful intelligence reached her brain she +burst into tears. “O! save my son.” Then the consciousness +that the danger was past reminded her of her own plight, and she +sobbed: “Give me something to wear.”</p> +<p>The policeman had noticed her semi-nude state. Dropping, his +<i>pugree</i> at her feet he turned away. She shook out its many folds +and draped it about her body. Then she related what had befallen her +and pointed towards the direction the thief had taken.</p> +<p>The policeman walked cautiously forward, his lantern raised in one +hand and his <i>lathi</i> tightly <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e529" href="#xd20e529" name="xd20e529">19</a>]</span>grasped in +the other. A few yards ahead he came to an old brick kiln. Here, prone +among the broken bricks, lay the robber in greater straits than his +victims. A huge cobra was tightly coiled round his right arm, while on +the left hung the <i>saree</i> and the jewels. The rays of the lantern +disturbed the snake. With an angry hiss it uncoiled itself and +disappeared. The dacoit, more dead than alive from simple fear of the +snake’s fatal sting, yielded himself a prisoner, and it was +subsequently discovered that the whole gang, of whom he was a member, +were licensed hackney drivers. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e534" +href="#xd20e534" name="xd20e534">20</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch03" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Saved by a Bear</h2> +<p>The evening shadows and silence had settled on the river Hooghly as +an old Brahman wended his way to one of the many <i>ghats</i> (landing +places).</p> +<p>The <i>dinghis</i>—little boats which ply backwards and +forwards all day carrying passengers to and from Calcutta—had all +been made fast for the night. Some of the boatmen were cooking their +evening meal, while others sat about on the decks smoking and singing. +Many of the boats were wedged close together and drawn up on to the +bank.</p> +<p>But one lay well in the water and some distance from its +fellow-craft. Its <i>manjhi</i> (headman) stood on the stern deck, +binding together the mat roof of his boat. His seemingly careless gaze +took in the Brahman, about to descend the bank. He noted that the old +man carried a parcel, partially concealed in his <i>chadar</i> (scarf), +and, from the manner in which he hugged it, the observer concluded it +contained something valuable. As the Brahman came nearer, the +<i>manjhi</i> saw it was a bag of money.</p> +<p>The old man picked his way down the bank and called upon boat after +boat to take him to a <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e561" href= +"#xd20e561" name="xd20e561">21</a>]</span>small village near Serampore, +for in those days there was no railway. None were willing to go so far. +Meanwhile a whispered consultation had taken place between the +<i>manjhi</i> and <i>dhars</i> (oarsmen) of the furthest <i>dinghi</i>. +When the Brahman finally accosted them, they first demurred and then, +as though still reluctant, consented to hire their boat.</p> +<p>Just as they were pushing off, a man with a performing bear ran down +the bank. “Where goest thou?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Serampore” answered the Brahman before the boatman +could reply.</p> +<p>“My home is near by,” the man remarked gladly, and +jumped into the boat, pulling his bear after him.</p> +<p>The boatmen scowled angrily: “Get out, we go not so +far.” But he would not. The <i>manjhi</i> warned him that he and +his bear would gain nothing by forcing themselves into the boat.</p> +<p>“These boatmen are queer customers,” he laughingly +remarked to the Brahman, and to them: “Gain nothing! Why! I will +reach my home.”</p> +<p>“So you say,” they answered. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e587" href="#xd20e587" name= +"xd20e587">22</a>]</span></p> +<p>The bear-man wondered within himself at their unwillingness to have +him as a passenger. He and the old Brahman made a few remarks to each +other. Then they fell silent.</p> +<p>They were near the end of their journey when the bear-man asked +suddenly: “<i>Manjhi</i>, have we not passed +Serampore?”</p> +<p>“Are you the <i>guru</i> of boatmen that you question +me?” replied the <i>manjhi</i>, and then, in a more conciliatory +tone, added: “We are going higher up for a crossing. The tide is +strong.” The explanation was reasonable. But the bear-man’s +suspicions had been awakened and he was on the alert. The Brahman sat +placidly nursing his bag which the bear-man too had noticed contained +money. He had also noticed that the <i>manjhis</i> kept glancing +furtively at it and its owner.</p> +<p>The river crossed, the boat hugged the bank; after a time it came to +a standstill. One of the <i>manjhis</i> jumped ashore with the rope and +secured it to a tree. The Brahman and the bear-man both asked: +“What is wrong? Why stop the boat in this strange +place?”</p> +<p>“You will soon know, you will soon see,” answered the +boatmen and chuckled over some <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e614" +href="#xd20e614" name="xd20e614">23</a>]</span>secret joke as, one +after another, each stepped ashore and disappeared.</p> +<p>The aged Brahman gazed after them apprehensively. Then, placing his +money between his knees, as he sat on the deck with crossed legs tucked +under him, he folded his hands together and bent forward in prayer.</p> +<p>The bear-man thought within himself: “Prayer for him, action +for me.” And saying softly to the old man; <i>“Brahman +Thakoor</i>, something is brewing. I follow to see,” he too +stepped ashore.</p> +<p>Not far from the tree he found a small thatched house and several +men gathered behind it. Moving warily forward among the group he +recognised the <i>manjhis.</i> “Dacoits!” he whispered to +himself. Then an inspiration struck him.</p> +<p>He ran back to the boat, and asked the Brahman to change his seat to +the stern and be ready to steer off when he gave him a signal. He took +up a position in the prow and fondled his bear.</p> +<p>Within a few minutes a party of men appeared coming towards the +<i>dinghi</i>. Some were boatmen; all were dacoits.</p> +<p>The actor loosed the bear’s chain, saying: “Go! go! hug +the life out of all of them!” <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e637" href="#xd20e637" name="xd20e637">24</a>]</span></p> +<p>The sagacious animal responded to his master’s order with a +fierce charge right among the approaching band of robbers. With +startled cries they fled in all directions. Quite sure they were +effectively scattered, the bear-man called his animal back, secured its +chain once more, and pushed from the shore.</p> +<p>With some difficulty he and the old Brahman navigated themselves +back to Calcutta and informed the police authorities there. The police +took possession of the <i>dinghi</i> which on inspection proved to be a +dacoit’s nest well-equipped with instruments fitted for murder +and robbery. But none of this gang of river dacoits were captured.</p> +<p>The lives of the Brahman and the showman were certainly saved by the +wonderful intelligence of the latter’s bear. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e648" href="#xd20e648" name= +"xd20e648">25</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch04" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Raghu Dacoit</h2> +<p>Madhub Babu, a Calcutta gentleman, owned much property in that city +and was known far and wide on account of his great wealth. To do him +honour, the City Fathers had named a tank after him.</p> +<p>At that time there flourished a notorious dacoit, Raghu, for whose +capture Government had offered a handsome reward. But like Robin Hood +of old, Raghu Dacoit had caught popular fancy by his generosity to the +poor. Though he looted the rich, to the needy, the famine-stricken and +widows he was always kind. No one would inform against him.</p> +<p>Madhub Babu had a fine country house in Chandernagore, where he +frequently entertained his friends. On one of these occasions, the +latest doings of Raghu Dacoit were being discussed. The Babu remarked +confidently: “He dare not visit me. He knows my house is well +guarded.”</p> +<p>One of the guests quickly rejoined: “Oh, don’t say that. +Raghu Dacoit is a dangerous and clever man.” <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e660" href="#xd20e660" name= +"xd20e660">26</a>]</span></p> +<p>A few days after, Madhub Babu received a letter from the famous +outlaw saying that he would be pleased to visit the rich man’s +country house. Madhub Babu was amazed at the audacity of the fellow, +and wondered how his remark had reached the robber’s ears.</p> +<p>He immediately sent information to Calcutta and asked for a strong +body of police to be sent at his expense. They arrived, and his country +residence was extra well guarded for some time. But nothing happened! +Madhub Babu concluded that the letter had been a hoax. So the police +guard was withdrawn.</p> +<p>Madhub Babu’s Chandernagore house stood on the bank of the +river. One dark night a boat came quietly to the <i>ghat</i>. Its +occupants silently landed and proceeded stealthily to the house. Every +door and window was securely fastened, but what mattered that to Raghu +and his band? Tall trees graced the grounds everywhere and many grew +near the house. Climbing the nearest, some of the dacoits reached up a +long and stout bamboo from it to the flat roof. A slim youth crawled +over and fixed the other end securely. Then one by one some of the gang +slid across. The door of the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e670" +href="#xd20e670" name="xd20e670">27</a>]</span>staircase leading down +into the house stood open. Creeping like cats downstairs they gained +the entrance hall. Here they found all the <i>durwans</i> fast asleep. +The light of their lanterns showed the <i>durwans’</i> swords +hanging on the wall. In a trice the dacoits had them down, unsheathed, +and, oh, bitter blow! despatched Madhub Babu’s men with their own +weapons.</p> +<p>Then noiselessly opening the door they admitted the remainder of the +band. For a few hours there was uproar, confusion and dismay while the +burglars invaded room after room and collected all Madhub Babu’s +treasures with which they disappeared.</p> +<p>While still smarting under the loss of his valuables, the Babu +received another letter from Raghu Dacoit asking, “Had his visit +given Madhub Babu pleasure?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e682" href="#xd20e682" name="xd20e682">28</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch05" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Girl as Kali-Ma</h2> +<p>A large and well-to-do family lived happily in a country place in +Bengal.</p> +<p>One day their peace was disturbed by an anonymous letter. The writer +warned them to expect a “dacoity” (burglary). These Indian +outlaws always make it a point of honour to inform their intended +victims, and always come with drums, torch-light and a sort of +war-cry.</p> +<p>There was much valuable jewellery in the house and the family, +thinking discretion the better part of valour, gathered all together, +packed it securely and, taking it with them, left their home about +sunset for safe quarters.</p> +<p>Somehow one of the younger ladies with a tiny infant was left +behind. Unaware of the warning letter or desertion of the family, she +slept peacefully through the early hours of the night. But later, she +was awakened by the sound of drums and loud cries, which she recognised +as the signal of the dacoits. Rushing out of her chamber she discovered +that the burglars were already in the house and that none of the family +were to be found. From <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e694" href= +"#xd20e694" name="xd20e694">29</a>]</span>room to room she fled, +finding none to protect her, and realised that she was alone and +helpless. Even her husband was gone!</p> +<p>She was a high-spirited and resourceful girl. She knew her life and +the baby’s as well were in danger and she determined to outwit +the burglars. She had a swarthy complexion like Kali, the +dacoits’ divinity. Often had her mother bemoaned its darkness! +Now it should serve her. But was she black enough? To make assurance +doubly sure, she caught up a bottle of ink, which she knew where to +find, and hastily smeared her face and limbs with it. Then, hiding her +baby in a safe corner, she uncoiled her heavy hair and let its +luxuriant black tresses fall about her like a cloak. Her preparations +complete, she placed herself in a large niche at the head of the +stairs.</p> +<p>The dacoits found nothing below worth attention and trooped +upstairs. The flickering glare of their torches fell upon a life-like +image of Kali the Terrible. With protruding scarlet tongue and fixed +staring eyes, the girl stood immovable and breathless, silently +invoking all her family gods to come to her aid in her bold design.</p> +<p>With an awe-struck cry of “Mercy! mercy! <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e702" href="#xd20e702" name= +"xd20e702">30</a>]</span>Kali-Ma!”, the thieves fell prostrate at +her feet. The girl held her breath. Was it possible that her plan had +succeeded? The slow seconds passed. The Chief arose. “Come, +brothers, we touch nothing where Mother Kali is worshipped.” With +hasty and reverent steps they descended the stairs and left the +house.</p> +<p>Long after the dacoits had gone the girl stood there. Then the +strain snapped and she relapsed to her normal self. Fear swept over her +and she rushed out of the house. But her trembling limbs could not +carry her far. She fell in a dead faint on the pathway. The neighbours, +who had heard the dacoits enter the house and seen them go away silent +and empty-handed, came to learn the mystery and found her there.</p> +<p>When the family returned next morning, the neighbours abused them +soundly for leaving the girl and her babe behind. The girl herself was +so hurt by the neglect that she had scarcely strength enough to relate +the strange happenings of the night. Her husband found it difficult to +make his peace; he said that he believed her to be with the ladies of +the family. In zenana families even the most devoted husband has little +voice in his wife’s <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e708" href= +"#xd20e708" name="xd20e708">31</a>]</span>movements, as all +arrangements are left in the hands of the mother-in-law. There were +several ladies and children in the family and the mother-in-law had +thought the girl was with some of them. Friendship was however finally +restored. All generously admired her ingenuity and realised her +bravery. From the white-haired old father to the smallest child, +everyone was grateful then and always after for her presence of mind on +that memorable night. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e710" href= +"#xd20e710" name="xd20e710">32</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch06" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>The Deputy Magistrate</h2> +<p>In the Dacca district, a few years ago, there was a big dacoity. A +Deputy Magistrate was ordered to secretly investigate the matter and, +if possible, to capture the miscreants.</p> +<p>Besides his cook and personal attendants he took with him some +policemen. All were disguised. They travelled in several small +boats.</p> +<p>It was late in the evening as they neared the place, where the +burglary had occurred. He decided to proceed no further that night. The +boats put to; the men cooked their evening meal and all retired.</p> +<p>About midnight, the Magistrate awoke with a start to hear many +voices calling him by name. He listened: “So you have come to +arrest us, to put us in jail, to hang us. Ah! you will soon see who +will be punished. We shall know how clever you are!”</p> +<p>The night was pitch-dark. He noiselessly opened the small window of +the boat and saw a number of men, with flaming torches in their hands +and armed with heavy sticks, coming down the <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e724" href="#xd20e724" name= +"xd20e724">33</a>]</span>bank. There was no time to call his men. He +seized his loaded revolver. But what was one against so many! He +decided to bolt. The land way was barred by the dacoits. What of the +river? He was a good swimmer. But the water looked black as ink and +swarmed with crocodiles. Yet to stay in the boat meant certain death. +If he gained the opposite bank, he could make for his +father-in-law’s house, which was near the river and where his +wife was then staying. He might escape the crocodiles. He determined to +risk it.</p> +<p>Like a flash all this passed through his mind. Opening the other +window he clambered out stealthily and slipped into the water. A few +powerful strokes carried him across. He stumbled up the bank and raced +through the thorny jungle to his father-in-law’s house.</p> +<p>The sleeping family were disturbed by his violent knocking. As soon +as he was admitted, he went to his wife’s room. She was horrified +to hear of his danger. After a hasty bath and change she insisted that +he should eat something, and while he was refreshing himself, she +informed her father of his son-in-law’s escape and predicament. +To her surprise, her father said: “I am sorry, but he +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e730" href="#xd20e730" name= +"xd20e730">34</a>]</span>must leave my house.”</p> +<p>“O! father, how can he?” she pleaded.</p> +<p>“<i>He must</i>” repeated her father.</p> +<p>The daughter fell at her parent’s feet and implored him not to +drive her husband forth. But no words of hers could move him. +“Why should all suffer for one?” he argued. She returned +sadly to her husband.</p> +<p>Presently the cries of the dacoits showed that they had scented +their quarry. Soon they shouted at the door: “Open! or drive out +the Deputy Magistrate. We know he is here. Give him to us or what +happens be on your own head.”</p> +<p>The wife wept piteously. Her father remained obdurate, muttering, +“I knew this would happen.”</p> +<p>The unfortunate Magistrate could not understand his +father-in-law’s behaviour. He sat with his head bowed in despair. +Suddenly his wife ran to him.</p> +<p>“You must try to escape. I have an idea.” She pulled out +a <i>saree</i> and some jewels, and began to dress him as a woman.</p> +<p>“It’s no use,” he said hopelessly, “they +will catch me.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e755" href= +"#xd20e755" name="xd20e755">35</a>]</span></p> +<p>“Be brave,” she said encouragingly, “for my sake +see if you cannot elude them.”</p> +<p>With tender hands she arranged the <i>saree</i>, draping it well +over his head to conceal his face. Then giving him a <i>ghurra</i> +(water vessel) told him to pretend that he was going to fetch water +from the river. Cheered by her courage, he caught her to his heart in a +mute farewell, and her prayers went with him.</p> +<p>He had not gone far from the house when cries arose of “There +he is!” But some one shouted: “It is a woman. Look +elsewhere.” And he passed slowly to the river. Here he flung the +brass <i>ghurra</i> far out into the stream and ran for his life along +the bank. No sounds of pursuit followed him, and he now gained courage +enough to form a plan of escape. Not far from his father-in-law’s +village was a small police station. Thither he bent his steps and asked +protection of its solitary occupant.</p> +<p>The man recognised him and asked: “Deputy Saheb, why are you +here? What is wrong?”</p> +<p>The Magistrate told him of the dacoits and of his escape. +“Dacoits after you!” said the policeman and looked grave. +“Sir, I cannot help you. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e775" +href="#xd20e775" name="xd20e775">36</a>]</span>What is one +<i>policewallah</i> against so many? If I shelter you we shall both +die. You better push on.”</p> +<p>For a time the Magistrate pleaded to deaf ears. But at length his +promises of promotion and reward moved the man. “Come” he +said “I will do my best,” and, rising, led the way to his +own house. Here in the inner room was a high <i>machan</i>—a huge +bamboo shelf made like a raft and suspended from the roof and reached +by a moveable ladder, used for storing all sorts of things.</p> +<p>On this <i>machan</i> were some old blankets. “Here, conceal +yourself in these” said the policeman. The Deputy Magistrate +needed no second bidding. He climbed up and rolled himself in one of +the blankets and heaped the others in front of him. The policeman +carried the ladder away, right out of the house. Then he shut the door +and returned to the office.</p> +<p>After a time there came the noise of the dacoits. They soon entered +the police station and shouted: “Give up that Deputy Saheb. We +know he is here.”</p> +<p>“Deputy, what Deputy? I cannot understand. Where is he?” +answered the policeman.</p> +<p>“Don’t be shamming,” returned the dacoits +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e797" href="#xd20e797" name= +"xd20e797">37</a>]</span>contemptuously, “thou knowest well whom +we mean. Produce him if you value your own life.”</p> +<p>In vain the policeman pleaded ignorance. His trembling limbs and +shaking voice belied his words. The dacoits bound him, searched the +police office, and then proceeded to hunt the house. “He is not +here. Let us not waste further time,” said one. +“Let’s look well,” said another, “and search +every place.” Some climbed the <i>machan</i> and discovered their +victim. It did not take them long to drag him down, and beat him +mercilessly with their long sticks, till he became unconscious. The +policeman too was severely chastised. Him they left lying there; but +rolled the offending Magistrate in an old mat, bound him tightly with a +rope and carried him away to the river.</p> +<p>As he was borne on their shoulders through the night air, he +gradually came to his senses but kept silent and listened to his +captors. By this time it was dawn, and they were at the river. The +majority were for re-crossing and burning him, dead or alive. One +dissentient voice struck him with surprise. It was his +father-in-law’s! Clearly he was one of the gang! But scruples had +overtaken him and he pleaded that he might not be a witness +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e806" href="#xd20e806" name= +"xd20e806">38</a>]</span>of the projected murder of his son-in-law. +“Spare me! spare me!” he cried.</p> +<p>Some jeered: “Ho! Ho! you still have a soft corner in your +heart for your son-in-law.” At last they agreed that he might +absent himself and he apparently turned back.</p> +<p>The others now put their burden into a boat and crossed the river. +They were laughing at the father-in-law’s weakness, and as they +approached the <i>ghat</i> failed to observe a Government +<i>budgerow</i> anchored there. It was the Divisional +Commissioner’s. He was out on tour. The <i>paharawalla</i> on +deck checked them: “Do not make such a noise. The Saheb +sleeps.”</p> +<p>They answered rudely and the watchman retorted angrily. The dacoits +loudly abused the man.</p> +<p>The noise woke up the Commissioner, and he got out on deck with a +loaded revolver in his hand. The dacoits jumped from their +<i>dinghy</i> and ran up the bank. It was evident who they were and the +Commissioner fired, aiming at their legs. One man fell with a scream of +pain but scrambled to his feet and ran on.</p> +<p>Nothing was to be gained by chasing them <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e830" href="#xd20e830" name= +"xd20e830">39</a>]</span>through the still dark jungle. The +Commissioner turned his attention to the boat. “Search it” +he ordered his watchmen. His quick eyes detected legs protruding from a +mat, and he was not surprised when his <i>chaprassi</i> called: +“Saheb, a dead man lies in it.”</p> +<p>The Deputy murmured feebly: “I am not dead. I live.” The +<i>chaprassi</i> amended the first statement: “Saheb, he +speaks.” The Commissioner jumped into the <i>dinghi</i>, cut the +ropes that bound the unfortunate man, and discovered the Deputy +Magistrate. It did not take him long to recover and pour his tale of +woe into his Chief’s ears.</p> +<p>By sunrise they were all after the dacoits. Blood-drops marked the +way and, near by, they found the wounded man who, only able to hobble, +had hidden himself in a thicket. The Deputy Magistrate’s +father-in-law was arrested. He was one of the leaders of the band. It +did not take long to capture the others. And after this, for a time, +this part of the Dacca district enjoyed peace from dacoits. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e846" href="#xd20e846" name= +"xd20e846">40</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch07" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>All for Nothing</h2> +<p>A young and very high-caste Bengali lady was married to the son of a +rich man who lived near Hooghly, a small town within a short distance +of Calcutta.</p> +<p>Some years passed, but there was no sign of a son and heir. The +parents-in-law were fond of the girl. She had won her way into their +hearts and they sympathised with her. Yet they longed to see the old +name being carried down the years, and whisperings grew into talk of a +second marriage for their son. The girl’s parents were anxious +and distressed.</p> +<p>Then a kindly Providence intervened, and after months of expectation +a little son lay in her arms, and both families rejoiced with the girl +and shared her pride in the boy baby.</p> +<p>When the child was about a year old, the young mother’s +brother became engaged to be married. The date was fixed and +invitations sent to the girl and to the family of her parents-in-law. +It was arranged that she and her baby should attend the wedding. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e858" href="#xd20e858" name= +"xd20e858">41</a>]</span></p> +<p>Not far off, also in Hooghly, lived a widowed sister (of the girl) +in her father-in-law’s house. She too was going to the wedding, +and it was settled that both sisters should travel in the same boat to +Calcutta. No male member of either family could accompany them. +Therefore, their father sent an old servant from Calcutta to fetch +them. This man was trusted and treated like a member of the family, +with whom he had been for years.</p> +<p>The girl put together her clothes. Her good mother-in-law unlocked +the great safe and took out the girl’s best jewels. An Indian +wedding is the occasion for a great display of clothes and jewellery, +and a well-dressed and richly-adorned <i>bow</i> raises the credit of +the mother-in-law, especially if the wedding is in the girl’s own +family; so a careful selection was made. Baby was not forgotten either. +Tiny gold bangles and chains had been showered upon him at his birth, +and this was his first public appearance.</p> +<p>They started early, so as to arrive during the afternoon. There was +to be a ceremony the next day and many guests had arrived at the +bride-groom’s house, and all watched eagerly for the two sisters. +But the hours waned and still they tarried. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e868" href="#xd20e868" name= +"xd20e868">42</a>]</span>Late in the evening, the old servant arrived, +agitated and all mud-bespattered.</p> +<p>Family, guests and servants plied him with questions concerning the +sisters. Not a word would he reply. Suspicions soon voiced themselves. +Dacoits were about. Everyone knew of the wedding and the consequent +family gathering. Everyone knew too that the daughter was the cherished +<i>bow</i> of a rich family.</p> +<p>Urged by these arguments and his own anxiety, the father threatened +to skin the man alive unless he spoke. Intimidated by his +master’s anger, the servant stated that the boat had capsized and +the sisters and baby were drowned.</p> +<p>The house of mirth and laughter was changed to one of weeping. But +the father did not accept the information in its entirety. He called in +the police and a vigorous search was made. All the boatmen were found. +They stated they had swum ashore but could or would give no word of the +ladies.</p> +<p>The only possible clue was given by an Englishman living in a mill +on the river bank at Chinsurah. About midnight, on the date of the +disappearance of the ladies, he heard the cries of women and a child. +At first he had thought of going to <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e882" href="#xd20e882" name="xd20e882">43</a>]</span>see what was +up. But the sounds were coming from a thick jungle, and he argued it +was impossible any one could be there in trouble, and finally thought +no more of the seeming cries.</p> +<p>This ill-omened happening broke up the wedding party. The marriage +was cancelled. All the preparations had been for nothing. To this day +the fate of the sisters is unknown. The bride and bridegroom-elect were +married to other parties. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e886" href= +"#xd20e886" name="xd20e886">44</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch08" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Punjabee Dacoit</h2> +<p>In a railway train several Punjabee ladies sat on the lower berths +of a second class compartment, laughing and talking gaily. They were, +with one exception, all richly dressed and each of them wore a quantity +of jewels. The exception was a capable, good-looking woman, of about +twenty-five. Her short hair, neck and arms bare of jewellery, and plain +white <i>saree</i>, proclaimed her a widow. But like the others she +chatted merrily, and a listener would have learned from their +conversation that they had been attending a wedding, and were now on +their way home. Witty remarks about the guests, criticism of the looks +of the bride, and comparisons of this wedding with others, passed from +one to another, and whiled away the hours of the journey as the train +sped onwards.</p> +<p>Night fell, and the ladies became silent. They rested against each +other and dozed at intervals. The widow sat on a trunk at the end of +the carriage and silently told her beads. The train slowed down and +stopped at a little station. Then the bell clanged and once again they +were on their way. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e897" href= +"#xd20e897" name="xd20e897">45</a>]</span>The little station had not +been left far behind when a dark figure appeared on the foot-board of +the ladies’ carriage, and a man’s head was thrust in at one +of the windows. A startled exclamation from one of the party drew the +attention of all to the intruder, who was pulling himself up into the +carriage. He was very fierce-looking, wore a huge turban, and had a +bushy black beard. In one hand he held a knife and with the other he +assisted himself into the compartment, in spite of the ladies’ +protestations.</p> +<p>Some of them began to cry but one or two bolder spirits ventured to +argue with him. In answer to their questions and objections, he said +roughly: “It is a long while before you will reach another +station. I have come for your jewels. If you give them to me quietly, I +will not hurt any of you; but if not—” and he looked very +expressively at the knife in his hand.</p> +<p>After some few minutes, the ladies, who were inclined to oppose him, +yielded to the tearful advice of their more timid sisters, and one by +one they began to unclasp necklaces and belts and hand them over to the +dacoit together with bracelets, bangles and rings. The ruffian, finding +them <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e903" href="#xd20e903" name= +"xd20e903">46</a>]</span>docile, did not hustle them in any way but +stood leisurely receiving the spoil. Then he carefully folded all in a +rich <i>saree</i> and was knotting the ends together when the train +suddenly stopped, and an Englishman pushed open the door of the +ladies’ compartment and sprang at him with the exclamation, +“You scoundrel!”</p> +<p>The sudden surprise and assault threw the robber off his feet, and +he fell sprawling on the carriage floor, with the Englishman on top of +him. In the meantime, the guard and others arrived and the thief was +secured and his hands and feet were bound together with his own +<i>pugree</i>, and he was removed to the guard’s van.</p> +<p>The widow was the heroine of the adventure. As soon as she saw the +man entering the carriage, she realised his purpose. Slipping into the +lavatory she climbed through the window there on to the footboard, and +pulled herself along by the carriage rods to the next compartment where +the solitary occupant, an Englishman, sat reading.</p> +<p>He was amazed to see a woman clinging to the window of his carriage, +but fortunately he understood the language; and when she said +“Help, thief in the next carriage”, he opened the door and +got <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e917" href="#xd20e917" name= +"xd20e917">47</a>]</span>her into his carriage without any delay. In a +few words, she acquainted him with what was happening in the next +compartment. He immediately pulled the alarm cord to stop the train, +and hurried along the footboard to the assistance of the ladies. They +were profuse in their expressions of gratitude to him, but he insisted +that they owed their lives and their jewels to their courageous friend. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e919" href="#xd20e919" name= +"xd20e919">48</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch09" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Child’s Experience</h2> +<p>Some years ago in a country place, not far from Calcutta, there +lived a well-to-do Bengalee gentleman. He was an old man; and his large +family consisting of sons, grandsons, and his brothers with their wives +and children, and many dependent relatives—all lived happily +together in their ancestral home.</p> +<p>It was an old-fashioned house with verandahs, courtyards and many +rooms. In a large <i>dalan</i> or verandah all the family <i>poojas</i> +were celebrated. Here the daughters of the house were married, and for +generations the old walls had looked on at family gatherings and +festivities.</p> +<p>There were extensive grounds round the house. Quite close to the +<i>zenana</i> there was a large kitchen garden which supplied all the +vegetables consumed daily in the house; and so plentiful was the +produce that large trays filled with vegetables were sent out every day +as presents to friends, relatives and to the neighbouring temples.</p> +<p>A little further away was an orchard, and in spring the numerous +mango trees delighted all <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e940" href= +"#xd20e940" name="xd20e940">49</a>]</span>eyes with their blossoms. And +there were jack fruit trees, peaches, plums and guava trees in numbers, +besides long lines of plantains and palms of several kinds.</p> +<p>In the garden, orchard and stables there were tanks and wells so +that the supply of water was sufficient for the needs of such a large +establishment. In front of the mansion there was a large ornamental +tank or lake with white marble steps leading to its waters. Here every +evening the men and boys of the family gathered to recreate and enjoy +the cooling south breeze, and they were often joined by neighbours, and +many a pleasant hour was spent on those marble steps.</p> +<p>An avenue of trees and a high hedge rendered the house quite +private, and the roof was a lovely recreation place and promenade for +the ladles and girls of the family, who were all <i>purdah</i>.</p> +<p>The old man’s wealth was much discussed and the expensive +clothes and rich jewels of the ladies were often spoken of. One day the +old gentleman received a warning letter from a band of dacoits that the +house would be visited by them that night. After some hurried +consultation, the family packed up all their jewels and valuables and +sought shelter <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e951" href="#xd20e951" +name="xd20e951">50</a>]</span>in flight. It was decided to spend the +night at a place a few miles distant.</p> +<p>In the excitement a young mother was separated from her little boy, +a child of about three or four years of age. She concluded that he was +with some other member of the family in another carriage and did not +trouble herself about it. But on their arrival at their place of refuge +he was not found with any of the others.</p> +<p>The mother’s distress of mind was pitiful. She wished to +return for her child; but it was growing dark and there was the danger +of meeting the dacoits. So her wish was overruled, and through the long +night she suffered terrible anxiety, picturing in her mind all that was +perhaps befalling her little son.</p> +<p>In the meantime the child was sleeping sweetly and peacefully in his +bed in his mother’s room. Tired out with play, he had slipped +into bed unknown to any one and there he lay.</p> +<p>About twelve at night the dacoits arrived and broke into the house. +They searched the empty rooms and were furious at finding no valuables +worth carrying away. They came to the room where the little boy slept, +and their loud voices <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e962" href= +"#xd20e962" name="xd20e962">51</a>]</span>awakened him. He sat up and, +seeing their strange faces and glaring torches, screamed with fright. +One of them threatened to kill him if he did not stop his noise. +Another stepped to the bedside and taking the little boy in his arms +said: “Little one, do not cry. No one will hurt you.”</p> +<p>The child recognised his father’s servant and twined his +little arms around the man’s neck. The other dacoits laughed and +walked out of the room leaving their comrade with the child.</p> +<p>When daylight broke, the family returned home, and the poor young +mother flew through the house in search of her child. To her surprise +and joy she found him sleeping peacefully in her own room. Her +hysterical caresses awakened him and the little fellow could not +understand what ailed his mother.</p> +<p>“Did nothing happen during the night?” she asked. +“Did you see anything or anyone, my son?”</p> +<p>Rubbing his chubby knuckles in his eyes the sleepy little boy +answered: “Oh, yes, where were you, mother? A lot of men came. +Some wanted to hit me, but—(naming the servant) was with them, +and he sent them away. Then he gave me sweets and put me to +sleep.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e972" href="#xd20e972" +name="xd20e972">52</a>]</span></p> +<p>The servant was arrested, and he confessed that he was one of the +band of dacoits who had sent the warning letter and had broken into the +house. Nearly the whole band was captured. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e975" href="#xd20e975" name= +"xd20e975">53</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch10" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Two Chinese Dacoits</h2> +<p>In a large house in Calcutta there lived an Englishman, his wife and +her sister. Mrs. C. was of a highly-strung and nervous disposition, and +as her husband’s business frequently occasioned his absence from +home, they had persuaded her sister Ethel to come out to India on a +long visit.</p> +<p>Ethel was a bright, lively girl, very practical and quite the +opposite of her sister, whom she often rallied for her timidity. Once +when Alice was more trying than usual, Ethel exclaimed: “Perhaps +if I were a little like you, Alice, delicate, nervous and silly, I +might get a husband who would fuss over me like Charlie does over +you.”</p> +<p>Alice laughed at her sister’s earnestness and said: “If +you were not healthy and strong-minded you would understand me better, +Ethel.”</p> +<p>Not long afterwards the two ladies were left alone for some days as +Mr. C. was obliged to go upcountry on business. While he was away, +Ethel slept with her sister. It was the cold weather when night closes +in early and the evenings are long. Mrs. C. liked an early dinner, soon +after which she <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e988" href= +"#xd20e988" name="xd20e988">54</a>]</span>always retired. Ethel liked +to spend the long quiet evenings, reading or writing, and often sat up +till midnight.</p> +<p>One afternoon, while they were at lunch, a telegram was brought in, +and on opening it, Alice exclaimed delightedly “Charlie will be +back in time for dinner.”</p> +<p>The evening passed away till dinner time but Mr. C. did not arrive +and the ladies waited till nine o’clock. Then they dined, and +when the clock struck ten and still there was no arrival, Alice said +she would go to bed, as Charlie must have missed his train and the next +was not due till near midnight.</p> +<p>Ethel looked up from her book and said: “Well, I am sleeping +in my own room.”</p> +<p>“O! you know I hate to be alone,” exclaimed Alice; +“you might come and sleep in mine until Charlie comes +in.”</p> +<p>“Alice, you are selfish,” retorted Ethel. “I shall +barely be in bed before he walks in. The only thing for me is to go to +bed in your room in my evening dress.”</p> +<p>“How silly you are,” said Alice peevishly; “why +cannot you undress as usual? Charlie may not come at all to-night and I +dread being alone.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1002" +href="#xd20e1002" name="xd20e1002">55</a>]</span></p> +<p>“Oh, very well,” said Ethel, “I will come and read +in your room till Charlie does come. I shall never marry a man who is +always away on business,” With these words she forsook her easy +chair and accompanied her sister into the large bed-room. She threw +herself on the side of the bed and went on with her book.</p> +<p>Alice undressed, got into bed and was soon asleep. Ethel finished +her book and then lay waiting for her brother-in-law. The lights in the +hall and on the landing were not extinguished, but the house was still +and quiet. It was near twelve and Alice was just wondering if Mr. C. +would really arrive or if it would not be better for her to undress and +get into bed comfortably when she heard gentle footsteps on the +stairs.</p> +<p>“There’s Charlie,” she said to herself, “and +how softly he is coming upstairs! he is a considerate +husband.”</p> +<p>She looked at her sister, saw that she was sleeping very soundly. +“I will pretend to be asleep too,” said Ethel to herself +and she drew up the bed-clothes to hide her evening dress and put a +pillow over her head.</p> +<p>To her disappointment, Charlie delayed his <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1014" href="#xd20e1014" name= +"xd20e1014">56</a>]</span>coming and she was wondering if he was dining +when the door slowly opened, but instead of Mr. C. two Chinamen entered +the room. Ethel stared at them from under her pillow with amazement. At +first they stood motionless beside the door. Then, closing it +noiselessly, they advanced into the room. Their quaint clothes, long +pigtails and red eyes together with their stealthy movements and the +hour of midnight, created an uncanny atmosphere in the room, and for +the first time in her life Ethel began to understand what nerves mean. +Never in her life had her pulses jumped and throbbed as they were doing +now. She controlled her inclination to scream and from under her pillow +watched the men.</p> +<p>They examined the room and one of them approached the toilette table +and began to transfer the jewels and silver ornaments which lay upon it +to a capacious bag. The other took a big cigar out of his pocket and +lit it. Then he stepped to Mrs. C.’s side and began to puff the +smoke into her face. She was sleeping upon her back and though she at +first stirred uneasily she soon seemed to sink into a deeper sleep. +After a few minutes by her side, the Chinaman moved round to +Ethel’s side of the bed; but seeing that her head was covered by +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1018" href="#xd20e1018" name= +"xd20e1018">57</a>]</span>a pillow and that she was apparently fast +asleep, he turned to help his comrade.</p> +<p>At this moment Mr. C.’s voice sounded in the hall and he came +running upstairs, whistling gaily. The robbers exchanged alarmed looks +and hastily hid themselves and their bag of booty behind a large +almirah. Charlie opened the door and came into the room, saying +“Alice, where are you?” Approaching the bed he said +“What, asleep!” and bent over his wife. But she was in a +deep slumber and oblivious of her husband’s presence. He noticed +Ethel’s form on the opposite side of the bed and, walking gently +round, touched her arm and whispered: “Are you asleep +too?”</p> +<p>She lifted the pillow, stretched her arms, and then sat up on the +bed. He noticed her evening dress and was explaining his late arrival +when she jumped up crossly from the bed and saying, “Look at your +wife, is she not looking ghastly?” went out of the room. Charlie +returned to his wife’s side and looked closely at her. Her face +seemed strangely pallid and her hands were cold. He endeavoured to wake +her and was still trying to rouse her when Ethel returned to the room +followed by several of the servants, who looked excited. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1024" href="#xd20e1024" name= +"xd20e1024">58</a>]</span></p> +<p>In answer to his question, “What is wrong with Alice?” +Ethel said “There are two thieves hidden behind the +<i>almirah</i>. Let the servants help you to secure them and then you +will know what is wrong with Alice.”</p> +<p>The two Chinamen were soon routed out from behind the almirah, +captured and handed over to the police. A doctor was summoned and Alice +was brought out of the stupor, she had been thrown into by the fumes of +opium smoke. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1032" href="#xd20e1032" +name="xd20e1032">59</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch11" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>An Unfaithful Servant.</h2> +<p>A rich zemindar named Bose lived in Lucknow, He had emigrated there +from Bengal, acquired land there, and studied the language until he +could speak Urdu like a Hindustanee. He became so much a native of +Lucknow that, when business took him down to Calcutta, he felt himself +a foreigner and stranger in Bengal.</p> +<p>His wife was an invalid and, as the years told on her, he had +frequently to take her to Calcutta for medical advice and treatment. +Their only child was a daughter who was the darling of their household. +The second favourite in the family was a boy called Ram, who though +really a servant was treated like a son of the house and both Mr. and +Mrs. Bose were very fond of him.</p> +<p>When quite a small boy, Ram had been taken into service in the Bose +menagé; and as his parents were both dead and he was remarkably +quick and intelligent, the zemindar took a fatherly interest in the lad +and had him taught to read and write. The teacher thought so highly of +Ram’s intellect that he was taught one subject after another by +his <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1042" href="#xd20e1042" name= +"xd20e1042">60</a>]</span>indulgent master, and when he grew older, was +especially educated and trained for estate work. When his education was +finished he was appointed to be confidential clerk and cashier, and +gradually grew to know as much of Bose’s money affairs as the +zemindar did himself. Whenever the rich man went on his estate, Ram +went with him. At times of collection, Ram had the office of counting +the silver and locking it up in the cash box. Frequently thousands of +rupees passed through his hands in this way, and he alone always knew +what amount of money the cash box contained.</p> +<p>One year, Bose and the faithful Ram had been round the zemindari, +collecting rents; and, as many who had been in arrears paid up, they +returned with a larger sum of money than usual. This was locked up in +the cash box and Bose told his wife in Ram’s hearing that next +day he should deposit it in the bank. The cash box was always kept at +night on a table by the zemindar’s bed-side.</p> +<p>The Boses had a large house in Lucknow and it was nearly always +full, as Mrs. Bose was fond of company and they invariably had a number +of relatives and friends staying with them. Mr. and Mrs. Bose slept +upstairs in a large south room, which <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1048" href="#xd20e1048" name="xd20e1048">61</a>]</span>opened +into another large room alongside of it. The only furniture in their +room was their two beds and a table which stood between the beds to +hold the cash box and a lantern.</p> +<p>The night of the zemindar’s return, his wife could not sleep. +She had been ill and she counted the hours as the night wore on. The +light of the lantern showed her husband’s sleeping form, the +naked sword which always hung at his bedpost, and the bare white-washed +walls of the room. As she lay awake, Mrs. Bose thought she heard a +noise at the door leading into the other room. The noise came again and +she listened intently. Some one opened the door and then shut it. Mrs. +Bose kept still, listened and watched. Some one again opened and shut +the door gently, then again and again. It struck Mrs. Bose that this +was being done to ascertain whether the inmates of the room were asleep +or awake. She continued to keep perfectly still.</p> +<p>Now the door was pushed wide open and Ram entered, and closed the +door softly behind him. When Mrs. Bose saw him enter, her first thought +was that he was the bearer of some bad news, and she very nearly asked +him what was the matter. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1054" href= +"#xd20e1054" name="xd20e1054">62</a>]</span>But his stealthy movements +made her feign sleep and see what he was about; and as he approached +her bed on tiptoe, she closed her eyes and lay as if peacefully +sleeping. He stood beside the bed apparently watching her. Mrs. +Bose’s nerves were tingling with fear, and it took all her powers +of self-control to keep her eyes closed and her breath steady. Just as +the effort seemed more than she could keep up, Ram moved away from her +bed.</p> +<p>Through her eye-lashes she watched him creep noiselessly to the +table and examine the cash box. Then he returned to the side of her bed +and coughed. Mrs. Bose again succeeded in keeping perfectly still and +he moved round to his master’s bedside. Here he stood motionless +for some seconds and then unfastened the sword. The zemindar was +sleeping heavily and as he detached the sword Ram smiled to himself as +if everything was very satisfactory. He grasped the sword in his right +hand and made a trial stroke. Then, smiling again, he lifted the +curtain of the zemindar’s bed with his left hand.</p> +<p>Mrs. Bose felt sure that his motive was murder as well as robbery, +and she now shrieked loudly for aid. At the first sound of her voice +Ram dropped the sword and fled from the room. His wife’s +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1060" href="#xd20e1060" name= +"xd20e1060">63</a>]</span>piercing screams of “Murder! +Help!” woke the zemindar, but by the time he understood what had +taken place Ram had let himself out of the house and was gone.</p> +<p>When morning came the police were informed and the zemindar offered +a handsome reward for the arrest of Ram; but though the police hunted +in Lucknow and elsewhere and also searched the village where +Ram’s relatives lived, no one knew anything of him and he was +never again heard of in Lucknow.</p> +<p>Some years after, the old zemindar died and one of the last remarks +he made was: “I should like to know what has happened to poor +Ram.” He had never forgotten his affection for his old protege, +and had quite forgiven him for his ungratefulness. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1067" href="#xd20e1067" name= +"xd20e1067">65</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div0"> +<h2>Tiger Stories</h2> +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1071" href="#xd20e1071" name= +"xd20e1071">67</a>]</span> +<div id="ch12" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>The Bearer’s Fate</h2> +<p>Mr. Gupta, a Bengali gentleman, was a skilled engineer. The +Government thought highly of him and whenever any work of special +difficulty had to be undertaken, always chose him.</p> +<p>At one time he was stationed at Hazaribagh. This district is even +now infested with tigers, and in those far-off days these lords of the +jungle roamed far and wide.</p> +<p>There was then no railway. Travelling was done by <i>palki</i> or by +“push-push”—-a box-like carriage on four wheels, in +which the traveller was forced to recline, and which relays of coolies +pushed before them. The roads were often mere tracks through dense +forest.</p> +<p>It happened that Mr. Gupta was ordered to report on some important +work a few miles away. His devoted wife carefully packed his luggage. +They were a happy couple and each short parting was a pain in their +lives. A trustworthy old servant always accompanied his master to camp. +But to-day to his mistress’ surprise he begged not to go. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1086" href="#xd20e1086" name= +"xd20e1086">68</a>]</span></p> +<p>When Gupta came in, his wife told him of the man’s +unwillingness to accompany him.</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” said Gupta, “he will have to go. What +has happened to him?”</p> +<p>“I think he is ill” the wife excusingly replied, her +tender heart full of the man’s wistful face and strange manner. +Still she agreed with her husband and told the bearer, he must go with +his master.</p> +<p>“Forgive me, I have high fever, <i>Ma-ji</i>,” he +shivered, addressing her by the honoured name of mother, as is the +custom of Indian servants in an Indian household.</p> +<p>She turned again to her husband who said: “I know what is in +the poor old fellow’s mind. He has an idea he will be killed by a +tiger. However, tell him there is no danger. I am taking a large number +of bearers and he can keep near the <i>palki</i>.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Gupta tried to cheer the servant with this information but he +wailed: “<i>Ma-ji</i>, I am afraid. Surely a tiger will kill me +to-night.”</p> +<p>“Do not fear,” consoled the kind lady. “Your +master will take good care of you.” “Go you must,” +she continued in a firm tone. “There is no one except you who +knows his ways and can see to his comfort. Now get ready +quickly.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1111" href= +"#xd20e1111" name="xd20e1111">69</a>]</span></p> +<p>“Oh, <i>Ma-ji</i>,” he sobbed like a child, “I +obey, but my heart is heavy.”</p> +<p>Mr. Gupta had to travel through the night. After an early dinner he +started, attended by many <i>palki</i>-bearers and the old servant. The +moon rose bright and glorious and bathed the picturesque country in +soft radiance. The silence of the forest was broken only by the +rhythmic cries of the bearers and the <i>pat-pat</i> of their feet. The +first stream was reached and the bearers asked for a halt. Consent +granted, they went into the stream to drink of the deeper water. The +old servant crouched by the <i>palki</i>.</p> +<p>“Thirstest not?” kindly asked his master.</p> +<p>“<i>Babu-ji</i>, I feel nervous. I will stay near +you.”</p> +<p>Gupta wondered what might have unstrung the man, and felt sorry for +him. “Come and sit close to me,” he said.</p> +<p>The night was cold and the old bearer, huddled in his blanket, sat +on the edge of the <i>palki</i> door.</p> +<p>Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a rapid crash +through the dry grass near the <i>palki</i>, and with a thrilling roar +a tiger leapt at the man and dragged him away. The <i>palki</i> shook, +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1150" href="#xd20e1150" name= +"xd20e1150">70</a>]</span>and the bearer’s piteous cry +“<i>Babu-ji, Babu-ji,</i> I told you” filled the forest, +and echoed and echoed again as the tiger bore him away. Then all became +still.</p> +<p>Gupta realised what had happened. He lay back sick with horror, and +felt as if he were the guilty one. For many a day the old man’s +dying wail rang in his ears. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1157" +href="#xd20e1157" name="xd20e1157">71</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch13" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Through the Roof</h2> +<p>They were laying the railway through the Hazaribagh district, and in +a low-roofed bungalow at Giridih lived the Engineer in charge of the +work. He was a young Englishman and his only recreation in this dreary +place was riding and shooting.</p> +<p>The coolies lived in frail little mat houses in the same enclosure +as his bungalow. One morning they came to him in a body to tell him +that during the night a tiger had carried off one of their cows. The +next morning another cow was missing, and on the third his servants +awakened him with the news that his Arab pony was gone.</p> +<p>He loved the little animal. Many a mile had he scoured on its back. +“Stripes” must be punished for this. He would sit up the +coming night and watch.</p> +<p>Babus, servants and coolies loudly approved. What was life worth +with such nightly happenings? and the lord of the jungle would surely +come again. Had he not discovered a well-filled larder?</p> +<p>Work over, the young man loaded his gun, and <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1171" href="#xd20e1171" name= +"xd20e1171">72</a>]</span>after dinner took up his position and awaited +the enemy. A reliable servant sat up with him.</p> +<p>The bungalow was raised on piles a few feet from the ground. It had +brick walls but a thatched roof which sloped very low down on all +sides. The wooden windows were closed. Our friend sat at one of them +with the Venetians slightly stretched. The bungalow was dark and +still.</p> +<p>At last a strange odour filled the air and then the heavy breathing +of the tiger was audible. It came and stood just outside the window. +The young fellow noiselessly pointed his gun through the Venetians and +fired. An angry growl told that the tiger was wounded. Then it charged +forward with a furious roar. The Englishman fired again and this time +thought he had finished it. But the animal charged again with increased +rage. After several attempts at the window it leapt for the roof and +succeeded in clutching the eaves and scrambled up. The terrified +servant cried: “Saheb, come into another room”.</p> +<p>“Don’t be a fool!” shouted his master, “the +tiger can’t come through the roof.”</p> +<p>In their huts the poor coolies heard the shots and the terrible +roars and growls and dared not come <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1181" href="#xd20e1181" name="xd20e1181">73</a>]</span>to their +master’s assistance. The tiger tore and scratched the thatch with +all his might and soon made a hole. “Look! Saheb!” screamed +the servant, “he comes through”.</p> +<p>“I have a loaded gun in my hand”, the Saheb replied.</p> +<p>The hole speedily grew larger as the great cat clawed and growled. +The servant could stand it no longer. He bolted into the next room, +shutting the door between. There he shivered and shook till morning, +when he fled to the railway station a couple of miles away and told the +Sahibs there his tale. They got guns and horses and rode over. They +peered through the shutters and saw the tiger in the room. It soon +scented them and charged with a mighty roar. They retreated without +dignity to a safe distance where all stopped. One said, “I say! +we must see what has happened to the poor chap”. Another: +“So many of us and loaded guns! We must do something”. A +third: “let’s get back and kill the beast”.</p> +<p>They went back and fired shot after shot through the shutters till +the animal was killed. Then they broke into the room and found their +luckless comrade dead on the floor, his loaded gun <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1190" href="#xd20e1190" name= +"xd20e1190">74</a>]</span>still in his hand. The tiger must have killed +him with a slap of its mighty paw, and sat on his body all night, but +clearly the animal was not a man-eater. <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1192" href="#xd20e1192" name="xd20e1192">79</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch14" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Earning the Reward</h2> +<p>A man-eating tiger was roaming through Hazaribagh station. It had +killed many villagers and had become so daring that it entered the +market-place in broad day-light.</p> +<p>A poor old tailor on his way home one evening was seized by the +blood-thirsty animal, and his screams for help filled the little town. +The morning light showed traces of the struggle between man and beast, +and where the latter had been dragged from the main road.</p> +<p>The villagers did <i>puja</i> that night that all might be saved +from a like fate. A few days after, a ploughman and a little boy stood +talking about the tiger. “How do you know that he won’t +catch you?” asked the boy.</p> +<p>The ploughman answered confidently: “I have done +<i>puja</i>”. Barely had the words passed his lips than the tiger +leapt upon him. The boy was startled, but not realising his own danger +not only did he not run but also caught up a stick and tried to save +his friend. In spite of his hitting it the animal began to devour the +unfortunate man, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1210" href= +"#xd20e1210" name="xd20e1210">76</a>]</span>snarling threateningly the +while. Then the boy threw away the stick and fled to the village. The +news roused the villagers and they determined to try to rid themselves +of their foe. Armed with spears, sticks and heavy bamboos they followed +the boy to the scene of the tragedy. But the tiger was gone.</p> +<p>The Government had offered a handsome reward to any one who would +succeed in killing this tiger and now a poor shop-keeper determined to +win it. He knew nothing of shooting but worked up the ambition of a +friend who could shoot and had a couple of guns. Together they essayed +the difficult job. Difficult it was. The tiger seldom returned to his +kill, nor stopped at a kill any length of time, and was known to have +killed three or four victims in one day.</p> +<p>However they hoped for success. The villagers had been very careful +of late and the tiger had consequently been obliged to go hungry. It +was just possible he might return to the kill. So they got permission +for a mangled body to be left there, and built a <i>machan</i> near it. +At sunset they took up their places and watched.</p> +<p>At first the pair felt cheerful. A brilliant <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1221" href="#xd20e1221" name= +"xd20e1221">77</a>]</span>moon illuminated the whole country making +everything as clear as day. But no tiger came. And later, as the hours +dragged on, their cramped position, the nearness of a dead body, the +silence and mystery of the night, all got on their nerves, and they +wished they had not attempted such a task. But to leave now would be +dangerous. So they did their best to encourage each other and waited +on.</p> +<p>In the small hours of the night they distinctly heard the tiger +coming and saw a huge black shadow moving stealthily towards their +tree. The animal looked enormous in the uncertain light and each +thought the <i>machan</i> too low and wished himself in his house in +the village. Neither dared to speak or move.</p> +<p>Not far from the <i>machan</i> was a hillock. The tiger, after +stalking round the tree, went to the corpse, smelled it, and then +crossing to the hillock climbed up and sat himself there. The men felt +sure he could now see them.</p> +<p>The tiger began to sniff as if he scented them. Then it yawned and +snarled. The men sat fascinated. Presently the great head turned +towards them. The shopman pulled the trigger of the gun <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1235" href="#xd20e1235" name= +"xd20e1235">78</a>]</span>he held. There was a deafening roar and the +tiger disappeared from the hillock. Then all became still. They knew by +the roar of pain that he was hit. Tigers are clever and often feign +death when wounded. They dared not descend. They were not sure that he +was killed. At any moment he might attack their tree. Comrades in +enterprise and fear, they sat gripping each other in the darkness, for +the moon had now set.</p> +<p>The villagers had heard the shot and at day-break came to the spot. +They found the tiger lying dead at the foot of the hillock. The heroes +could barely descend from the <i>machan</i>, so stiff and aching were +their bones. Together they received the plaudits of the village and +shared the Government reward which to them was quite a small fortune. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1243" href="#xd20e1243" name= +"xd20e1243">79</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch15" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Burmese Monster</h2> +<p>Some years ago Government sent an engineer and party to explore and +prospect in the forests of Burma. None returned. Their disappearance +was a mystery.</p> +<p>The authorities decided to send another party to ascertain the fate +of the first and continue the work. To induce volunteers, a handsome +salary was offered; and at length an Englishman came forward. He asked +for twice the number of native attendants that the first man had had. +Government granted him his request and provided him with every facility +procurable and he started.</p> +<p>He followed the course taken by his predecessor up a large river. He +travelled in a big boat and his men in smaller ones. Here and there +they came upon traces of the former party. They pushed on. Suddenly all +indications of the missing ones ceased. He felt he had better stop and +investigate. Tents were landed and pitched and the men began to prepare +their evening meal.</p> +<p>As he sat in his tent reading, he heard loud shouts and some of his +coolies rushed to him. They <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1255" +href="#xd20e1255" name="xd20e1255">80</a>]</span>said that as they were +cooking they saw a great black thing hanging from a tree above them. +When they made a noise it disappeared. It was long and thick and black. +The coolies were frightened out of their wits and refused to remain in +that place. Argument was of no use; so the tents were taken down and +the party moved on.</p> +<p>Another spot was selected and here they stayed peacefully for some +days. Suddenly a man was missing. Then another and another! Each +disappeared when alone. The coolies were frightened and uneasy. But +this time the Sahib managed to control them. He himself was anxious and +puzzled.</p> +<p>Next a coolie who had gone to the river to scour vessels after a +meal disappeared. The plates and <i>lotas</i> were scattered about just +as if he had been suddenly seized. The Englishman thought that a +crocodile must have taken him off.</p> +<p>Soon after this incident the engineer was fishing in the river +opposite to the camp, and he noticed two coolies coming to the river. +They sat down at the <i>ghat</i> and began to scour their vessels. The +murmur of their voices reached him.</p> +<p>Presently the boatman clutched his arm and <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1271" href="#xd20e1271" name= +"xd20e1271">81</a>]</span>pointed to the bank. He looked. One of the +coolies was chasing a huge hairy monster. The other could not be +seen.</p> +<p>The engineer soon crossed the river and joined the coolie, still in +the chase after the strange creature. As usual, the Saheb carried a +loaded revolver and as he ran he fired several shots at the animal. +They had no effect on it. The beast ran on with heavy lumbering +strides, covering the ground with great rapidity and only once glancing +back over its shoulders with a horrible grin. He could not overtake it +and it disappeared into the thick jungle. Its hair was so long that it +completely covered the man it carried in its powerful arms. It was some +kind of an orang-outang.</p> +<p>The mystery was now cleared up. The engineer returned. His task was +accomplished. Later he wrote an account of this adventure and concluded +with these words:—“Now when I see a great hairy spider I +tremble! and the remembrance of that monstrous black form returns to +me, and the hideous grin that thrilled me. Never can I forget +it.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1277" href="#xd20e1277" +name="xd20e1277">82</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch16" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>The Palki and the Tiger</h2> +<p>In a lonely village in the Hazaribagh district the peaceful dwellers +were one evening disturbed by shrill cries of distress. When they +gathered round the house from whence the cries came, they discovered +that a ghastly murder had been committed. The headman of the village +immediately despatched two messengers for the police. These men started +in the dawn and reached the Police outpost just before sunset.</p> +<p>The Inspector-in-charge was a Bengalee, named Bose, who was a very +intelligent officer and keen on his work. As soon as he received +information of the murder, he ordered one of his staff to arrange for a +<i>push-push</i> (carriage which is partly drawn and partly pushed by +men) and a set of bearers. He quickly put together a few requisites for +the journey, and was soon ready. The night was not far advanced when +the orderly returned with a <i>push-push</i> and eight bearers, and +Bose started off, attended by his cook and body-servant.</p> +<p>The road lay through a forest. At times the path was so narrow and +rocky that the men could <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1293" href= +"#xd20e1293" name="xd20e1293">83</a>]</span>make little progress, and +at last they declared that the road was impassable for a wheeled +conveyance, and that it was necessary for the Inspector to change into +a <i>palki</i>. One of them said that about two miles off the road +there was a village, and that in the village there lived a rich +Hindustani merchant who might lend a <i>palki</i>. Bose was pleased at +the suggestion and told the <i>push-push</i> bearers to take him to the +village. They needed no second bidding, and the Inspector was soon +being trundled across the paddy fields that lay between the village and +the road. Arrived there, he hastened to the merchant’s house and +asked to see him.</p> +<p>A handsome up-countryman came out and when, he saw that his visitor +was a gentleman he courteously asked him to enter and be seated. The +Inspector soon explained his necessity for a <i>palki</i>, and the rich +man placed his at the disposal of the police officer. “But +<i>Jenab</i> (Sir),” he said, “tigers are bad in this +forest and you have to pass through a part known to be a favourite +haunt of theirs. Have you any fire-arms?”</p> +<p>“Only my revolver,” said Bose “but I must push on +and take my chance.” And as the <i>palki</i> now stood ready and +the bearers declared themselves <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1317" href="#xd20e1317" name="xd20e1317">84</a>]</span>refreshed, +he thanked his host for his ready assistance, bade him farewell and +started once again.</p> +<p>The bearers were full of spirits after their rest at the +merchant’s house and for a mile or two travelled at a rapid pace; +but the narrow winding road impeded their progress, and as the night +advanced the eerie sounds of the forest must have got on their nerves. +At the commencement of the journey they had beguiled the march with +stories of tigers and bears met in the forest, but after some hours of +travel they became silent; and beyond the usual directions of the +forward men concerning the road and occasionally a shrill cry to scare +away wild animals, they made no remarks to each other.</p> +<p>Within the <i>palki</i>, Bose lay fitfully dozing. The night was +oppressive and his thoughts were on the murder and his chances of a +successful capture of the wrong-doer. The road had become wider and +level and the men were going along at a good pace, when suddenly they +dropped the <i>palki</i> to the ground and fled in all directions. Bose +shouted: “What is up? Why have you run away?” No answer +greeted his ears but a strange odour penetrated his nostrils and he +knew there was a tiger in the jungle. He quickly pulled the doors of +the <i>palki</i> jamming <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1332" href= +"#xd20e1332" name="xd20e1332">85</a>]</span>them as securely as he +could with the ends of his <i>razai</i> (quilt). Then he tore the +strong border off his <i>dhoti</i> (loin cloth) and commenced to bind +the handles of the doors together. He had just finished firmly lashing +together the handles on one side when he heard an ominous growling. +With frantic haste he bound the handles of the opposite doors together, +praying fervently that he might escape the jaws of the tiger.</p> +<p>The animal continued growling. Evidently the dark bulk of the +<i>palki</i> frightened him. Bose sat inside, huddled in a heap and +breathless. The tiger, re-assured by the stillness of the object before +him, ceased growling; and presently, the soft thud of his feet and his +sniffing round the <i>palki</i> told the trembling man within that +’Stripes’ was making an investigation.</p> +<p>Now a mighty roar shook the jungles and Bose realised that the tiger +had leapt upon the roof of the <i>palki</i> and was scratching +furiously at it. Bose clutched the handles of the doors and held on to +them with the grip of despair. The tiger scratched and growled and +finally bounded off the top and began a vigorous assault upon the side. +The <i>palki</i> toppled over on to its other side. Poor Bose +congratulated <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1357" href= +"#xd20e1357" name="xd20e1357">86</a>]</span>himself that now one of the +doors rested upon Mother Earth and he could give his whole energy to +defending the other. He gripped the handles with renewed determination +and waited.</p> +<p>The tiger had sustained a shock at seeing the unknown monster he was +tackling roll over, and for a time satisfied himself by growling +savagely. But as the monster lay still “Stripes” tried the +experiment of a sharp blow with his paw. The <i>palki</i> rested on +uneven ground and the blow made it rock. The tiger waited awhile; and +when the rocking had subsided administered another stroke. The +<i>palki</i> rocked again. The situation now developed into a game +between the huge cat and the <i>palki</i>. When he slapped the +<i>palki</i> rocked; and when the <i>palki</i> ceased vibrating the +tiger slapped again. Inside the <i>palki</i>, the Inspector held on to +the handles of the door and prayed for deliverance.</p> +<p>At last the tiger, wearied of the game and purring loudly, walked +away. Bose breathed more freely but knew not if the danger was past. +There he lay gripping the handles of the door and wishing for daylight. +At last the dawn broke and with the first rays of light courage +returned to the bearers and servants, who were hiding in the branches +of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1383" href="#xd20e1383" name= +"xd20e1383">87</a>]</span>the surrounding trees. They called to each +other, expressing anxiety as to their master’s fate. Finally, as +the daylight grew stronger they encouraged each other to descend and +approach the <i>palki</i>.</p> +<p>As they examined it with wonder some very cutting remarks from +within assured them of their master’s existence, and with many +apologies for the abrupt way in which they had abandoned him they +righted the <i>palki</i> and assisted him out.</p> +<p>The journey was soon resumed and Bose had the satisfaction of +arresting the murderer in spite of his ill-timed adventure and forced +delay. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1395" href="#xd20e1395" name= +"xd20e1395">88</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch17" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>An Assam Adventure</h2> +<p>Some years ago, an English baron came out to India to enjoy some +tiger shooting. He received invitations to many Native States, and was +having a right royal time. In the course of his wanderings he came to +Assam. In those days, the jungles of Assam swarmed with tigers but a +“man-eater” was very rarely known there.</p> +<p>Sir M. was in a small camp with just two or three other guns, and +all were hopeful of “bagging” a tiger, for the roaring of +the lords of the jungle could be heard almost every night. The tents +had been pitched on the bank of a river and all round the camp and on +the opposite bank was heavy jungle. Wild animals abounded in these +jungles and the camp servants did not appreciate the site. No sooner +had the Sahebs finished their dinner than the servants disappeared into +their tents, and securing themselves within, as strongly as they could, +devoutly hoped that the morning light would find them still alive and +unharmed.</p> +<p>One evening Sir M. retired to his own tent immediately after dinner. +He was very tired but <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1405" href= +"#xd20e1405" name="xd20e1405">89</a>]</span>as he was not sleepy, he +made himself comfortable and settled down on a long-sleeved chair with +a book. His tent was a small one, with a camp cot, a couple of chairs +and a table. On the table stood a reading lamp. M. was soon absorbed in +his book and did not notice how the hours fled. The camp became quiet +and still. It was a dark close night and the door of his tent stood +open, for he was a lover of air. He had read on for some time when his +attention was drawn to a movement of his tent wall. It seemed to him as +if some one or something was rubbing along the side. He put down his +book and got on to his feet to see what it could be. As he was about to +step forward the head of a tiger loomed in the doorway, the eyes +gleaming brightly. Sir M. stood motionless with surprise and +“Stripes” stepped into the tent. He was a fine specimen of +a Royal Bengal tiger, and M. forgot everything in his admiration of the +noble animal.</p> +<p>The table with the lamp upon it stood between Sir M. and the tiger, +and each stood on either side of it gazing at each other. As the silent +seconds passed, Sir M. realized that he was in danger and bethought him +of his rifle which was almost within reach of his hand; but he dared +not move and so <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1409" href= +"#xd20e1409" name="xd20e1409">90</a>]</span>continued gazing +steadfastly at his visitor. The tiger too stood, surveying his +vis-a-vis and then began to move round the table. The lamp either +attracted or annoyed him and he raised his paw to the table. The weight +of the huge paw tilted the table, the lamp toppled and fell with a +crash. The terrified tiger gave a mighty roar, turned tail and +fled.</p> +<p>The camp was aroused. Everyone shouted and rushed out into the +night, armed with some weapon or other. Sir M. related to his brother +guns what had happened and they all enjoyed a good laugh and rather +envied him for the fine sight he had of such a superb specimen of the +kings of the jungle. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1413" href= +"#xd20e1413" name="xd20e1413">91</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch18" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Thrilling Story</h2> +<p>One evening, in Assam, a young Englishman was driving along a lonely +jungle road. He wished to visit a neighbouring Saheb; and though his +servants had warned him that tigers had been frequently seen on that +particular road, he had laughed at their fears and told them that the +only tiger to be feared was a “man-eater”, and that there +were no “man-eating” tigers about that district. As usual +in the mofussil of India, he was going out to dine and sleep, and his +bearer had put up his clothes and his suit case was stowed into the +dog-cart.</p> +<p>The road was a good one and considerably wide, for it was the main +thoroughfare in the district and along it tea, jute and all other +agricultural products were transported to the river for export to other +districts of India and also to Europe. Nevertheless it was bordered on +either side by dense jungle, and there were few villages in its +vicinity. After sunset it was a road little frequented by villagers and +it had the reputation of being tiger-haunted. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1421" href="#xd20e1421" name= +"xd20e1421">92</a>]</span></p> +<p>There was no moon and, as B. had not started much before sunset, +darkness soon overtook him on the road. As he had no <i>syce</i> with +him he got down to light the trap-lamps and jumped in and drove on +again very cheerily. He was not far from where he must turn off the +main road to the narrow one leading to his friend’s estate, when +the pony suddenly took fright at something and bolted. At first B. +tried to pull the animal up; but its erect ears and wild snorting +showed him that there was cause for alarm. He looked over his shoulder +and in the dim starlight discerned the bulk of some animal in pursuit +of them. An eerie feeling came over him and he wondered what was going +to happen. He sat tight in his seat and let the pony race on. The chase +continued and the pony began to show signs of collapse. It was +evidently being overcome by fear and, in spite of all B.’s +urging, could not keep up the pace, and the pursuing animal gained upon +them. B. had just determined to leap from the cart when the pony +tripped and fell and B. was shot out of the cart. He fell into the long +grass on the side of the road, and had barely collected himself when a +dark form sprang upon the pony.</p> +<p>The poor animal neighed with fear but kicked <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1429" href="#xd20e1429" name= +"xd20e1429">93</a>]</span>and fought its foe. B. rolled down the side +of the road and began to crawl away through the jungle as fast as he +could. Long grass and thorny brambles grew on either side of the road +and as it was the dry season every movement of his made a crackling and +rustling; and often he fancied he heard an animal in pursuit of him, or +he would imagine he was about to meet one coming through the jungle +towards him. He pressed on as fast as he could, sometimes crawling and +sometimes walking, and at last he saw the glimmer of lights and came to +some huts. He shouted to the inmates who came to his assistance.</p> +<p>When they discovered a Saheb in such a plight they were full of +concern, helped him to their huts, gave him hot milk to drink and +washed his wounds. His clothes were torn and his hands and knees +bleeding from his flight through the thorny jungle. The sympathising +villagers emptied a hut for him to rest in, and when morning came +escorted him to the scene of his mishap.</p> +<p>The mangled remains of his poor pony told him that the wild animal +had been a very famished tiger. B. returned to his own bungalow a wiser +man, and told his servants that, had he taken their <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1435" href="#xd20e1435" name= +"xd20e1435">94</a>]</span>advice, he would not have suffered such an +adventure or the loss of his pony. He rewarded the villagers for their +kindness and hospitality and for a long time his escape was the talk of +the district. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1437" href= +"#xd20e1437" name="xd20e1437">95</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch19" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Cachar Tiger</h2> +<p>In the province of Assam lies a fertile and picturesque valley +called Cachar. Shut in on north, south and east by lofty hills, this +valley remained hidden for centuries and was never conquered by any of +the Mahommedan rulers of India.</p> +<p>Here a race of aboriginal kings held sway, and it was the East India +Company who first became masters of this hilly corner of Bengal. In +1830, the last of the old Cachari kings died without heir, and +“Company Bahadoor” took possession of the little +kingdom.</p> +<p>In 1855, the discovery of the tea-plant, growing wild in the +jungles, opened out a new industry, and soon the low-lying hills, +knolls and undulating plains of the little valley became gradually +clear of jungle, and covered instead with row after row of +carefully-kept and trim tea bushes. To-day acres upon acres of tea are +grown in Cachar; and the inland steamers, which ply all through the +rainy season up and down the wide-rolling stream of the <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1447" href="#xd20e1447" name= +"xd20e1447">96</a>]</span>river Barak, bring down for export millions +of pounds of tea for the “cheering cup”.</p> +<p>Cachar is rich in forests, and tigers and other wild animals are +there in plenty. During the monsoon the jungle animals retreat to the +higher levels of the forest-clad hills. But when the rains abate they +begin to gradually descend; and when the great “hoars” or +fenlands dry up at the approach of the cold season, numerous tigers +take up their winter haunts in the patches of jungle, which grow here +and there in the marsh lands, and in the forests which often surround +or separate the tea gardens.</p> +<p>It was cold-weather time about forty years ago, and four planters +sat talking after dinner in the Manager’s bungalow on a tea +garden in Cachar. We will call them M., B., C. and H.</p> +<p>The bungalow, like many bungalows in tea districts, stood on a high +hill, the steep sides of which had been terraced and planted with tea. +On adjacent but lower hills stood the factory and coolie lines. +Everything was quiet and lay wrapped in a heavy fog.</p> +<p>In the verandah near the steps sat the bungalow <i>chowkidar</i> +(watchman). The charity of the Tea Company had provided him and his +fellow-coolies <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1460" href= +"#xd20e1460" name="xd20e1460">97</a>]</span>with blankets. And he wore +his in the usual <i>pachim</i> (North-West Provinces) style: one end of +the blanket is pleated and tied closely with a piece of string, the +short part above the cord forming a tuft. The wearer pulls the pleated +end of the blanket over his head, the tuft resting on his crown. The +sides of the blanket are drawn round the body, and thus the blanket is +made to form both a hood and a cloak, in which the wearer hugs himself +against the inclemency of the weather.</p> +<p>The <i>chowkidar</i> sat on his mat huddled up in his blanket, +droning one of the time-honoured <i>bhajans</i> (hymns) of India.</p> +<p>Presently he disappeared and, next, piercing yells rent the +mist-laden atmosphere. The four Sahebs were in the verandah in a trice, +and soon discovered the <i>chowkidar</i> returning to the verandah, +visibly shaken and without his blanket.</p> +<p>“What is the matter, and who shouted?” asked the +Manager.</p> +<p>“Saheb,” the <i>chowkidar</i> replied in a quavering +voice “a tiger sprang on me and caught the knot of my +blanket.”</p> +<p>“Here!” interrupted the four Englishmen incredulously. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1488" href="#xd20e1488" name= +"xd20e1488">98</a>]</span></p> +<p>“Yes, <i>Huzoor</i> (Your Honour), as I sat here against this +post the tiger came, seized the knot of my blanket and began to pull. +Like lightning I made my plan. I grasped with a strong tight hold the +sides of the blanket and holding myself together like a ball I let Lord +Tiger pull. He dragged me to the edge of the <i>tila</i> (hill). There +I suddenly let go the blanket and shouted with all my might. The tiger +fell over, down the hill, and is gone.”</p> +<p>Sure enough, there were the foot-marks of the tiger, the mark of the +drag, and the signs of where “Stripes” had slipped over and +down the terrace.</p> +<p>The tiger had been harrying the coolies for some time and a rumour +had got about that he was a man-eater. It was pretty certain that he +would come again the next night; so the planters determined to sit up +and shoot him.</p> +<p>On the following night after dinner M. B. C. and H. took their +positions on the verandah. Each had his loaded gun and all waited +patiently for the tiger. Time passed. It was weary work and they +dozed.</p> +<p>M.’s dog had wandered off to the kitchen as usual after +dinner. After some time it returned hurriedly and ran up the steps of +the verandah, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1505" href= +"#xd20e1505" name="xd20e1505">99</a>]</span>barking in a frightened +manner. The dog’s barking woke the four men. B. sat first near +the steps and H. not far from him in a dining-room chair.</p> +<p>The dog ran into the dining-room and hid himself under the table and +everything again became quiet, and the men waited. Suddenly a hoarse +cry paralysed three of them. “He’s on me. Shoot.”</p> +<p>The tiger had come up on to the verandah and springing at B. caught +him by the arm. Then, releasing the arm, he made a spring at his +victim’s throat. B. was instantly on his feet and, as the tiger +essayed his throat, he rammed his clenched fist into the animal’s +mouth. The tiger shook the man’s fist out of its mouth and made +another attempt to reach his throat. B. repeated his manoeuvre. This +happened three or four times.</p> +<p>In the meantime the other three men dared not shoot for fear of +missing the ferocious cat and killing their comrade. H. had the +presence of mind to swiftly fix his bayonet, and, rushing towards the +tiger, he thrust it in the animal’s side, firing as he did so. +The tiger fell backwards off the verandah mortally wounded, but to the +amazement <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1513" href="#xd20e1513" +name="xd20e1513">100</a>]</span>of the Sahebs struggled tip and made +another attempt to get at B. He was however too badly wounded and fell +back dead.</p> +<p>B.’s hand and arm were terribly mauled, and after medical +treatment he had to go home on long leave. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1517" href="#xd20e1517" name= +"xd20e1517">101</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch20" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Maharajah’s Adventures</h2> +<p>A Maharajah of Bengal who became a noted sportsman shot his first +tiger when he was quite a small boy. When about twelve years of age he +went out on a shoot one cold weather on his estate. He was accompanied +by some of his relatives, and they encamped in one of the forest +bungalows. This bungalow was just an ordinary Assam house built on a +<i>chang</i> or raised platform. It consisted of a large centre room +with a bedroom on either side and a deep verandah in the front, where +the servants slept at night. Under large trees, some little distance +away, the elephants were chained, and not far off were stables for the +horses.</p> +<p>The Maharajah shared his room with a friend, a lad about two years +older than himself. One night between ten and eleven o’clock, +when all were in bed and asleep after a tiring day and an early dinner, +the near roaring of a tiger awakened the camp. In a twinkling the +servants had transferred themselves and their bedding from the verandah +into the centre room and securely bolted the door. Roar after roar +sounded through the night, but the <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1528" href="#xd20e1528" name="xd20e1528">102</a>]</span>young +Maharajah slept the healthful and deep sleep of tired childhood and the +mighty voice of the lord of the jungle did not disturb him. His friend +was awakened by the majestic sound and lay trembling with fear; envying +his blissfully unconscious companion, until the nearness of the tiger +broke down his self-control and, vigorously shaking his bed-fellow, he +shouted in his ear: “Tiger, tiger!”</p> +<p>The young Maharajah awoke, yawned, stretched and listened. The +roaring had ceased but under the bungalow they could hear the purring +of a tiger as it rubbed itself against a post. The younger and fearless +boy laughed with glee and assured his friend that there was no danger +of the tiger getting into the bungalow, and that on the morrow they +would be easily able to track and shoot it. Soon the sounds of purring +and rubbing gave place to others, and the occupants of the bungalow +realised that more than one tiger played beneath them. Next day in the +jungle near the forest bungalow the party shot a couple of tigers, a +tigress and her cubs.</p> +<p>In later years the Maharajah became famous for his shoots and many +and varied were his adventures <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1534" +href="#xd20e1534" name="xd20e1534">103</a>]</span>and experiences. One +year he was in camp with a large party and they were out one afternoon +after buffaloes. A fine bull was driven out of a patch of thick jungle +and faced the guns with defiance in his eyes. He was a grand target and +the Maharajah’s finger ached to pull his trigger, but courtesy +forbade him and he generously, as always, left the fine prize for his +guests. But, one after another, each missed his shot and the noble bull +charged past into thicker jungle. As the line of guns attempted to +follow, one of them spied a leopard up on a tree looking thoroughly +scared. This animal had evidently been disturbed by the commotion in +the forest and had been so terrified that it had climbed into a tree +for shelter; and there, on a branch, poor “Spots” fell an +easy prey to the sportsmen.</p> +<p>One of the strangest adventures that the Maharajah had was when, +returning to camp one evening, he was informed that one of his largest +and best elephants, “Kennedy”, had got stuck in quicksand. +In many parts of Assam there are quicksands and quagmires. This +particular one chanced to be in a <i>nala</i> (stream). The elephant +had refused to cross the partially dried-up stream. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1541" href="#xd20e1541" name= +"xd20e1541">104</a>]</span>Instinct had warned him through the tip of +his trunk that danger lurked there, but his <i>mahout</i> (driver), +anxious to get into camp after a hard day and knowing that across this +stream was a short cut, had forced him. They had advanced but a yard or +two when the huge animal began to sink, and the more he struggled and +strove to extricate himself the deeper he sank. The Maharajah hastened +to the spot as soon as he heard of the catastrophe, for +“Kennedy” was a fine and valuable elephant and a steady one +for <i>shikar</i> (shooting). At the sound of his master’s voice +poor “Kennedy” looked towards the bank, and the Maharajah +saw that great tears of anguish were rolling down the poor +beast’s face as he bellowed in an agony of fear. The Maharajah +directed the men who had gathered around the scene to fell some +saplings, which were conveyed to the <i>nala</i> by some smaller +elephant and pushed into the quagmire towards “Kennedy”. +The poor entrapped animal seemed to understand that efforts were being +made to rescue him, and he obeyed his driver’s now soothing voice +and held himself still. At last, the combined labours of men and +brother-elephants provided a safe footing of submerged saplings and +branches; and “Kennedy” pulled himself out of the +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1553" href="#xd20e1553" name= +"xd20e1553">105</a>]</span>treacherous sand and was escorted back to +the camp with great rejoicings.</p> +<p>Not long after this “Kennedy” distinguished himself in +another way, but this time evoked the displeasure and not the pity of +his good master. An engineer, named Ashton, had charge of the +<i>feilkhana</i> (elephant stables) and had once severely punished +“Kennedy”. After the manner of his kind, the elephant bore +the memory of the outrage in his heart and waited the opportunity to be +revenged. One morning the camp was astir for a shoot. The guests stood +ready outside their tents and the elephants were waiting to carry them +into the forest. Suddenly “Kennedy” charged at Ashton, who +stood a little apart from the group, and flinging him to the ground +began to roll him under his feet. The Maharajah, with wonderful +presence of mind, immediately ordered “Debraj”, a larger +and more powerful elephant than “Kennedy” and his rival in +the <i>feilkhana</i>, to the rescue. “Debraj’s” +<i>mahout</i> ordered him to charge at “Kennedy”, and, +urged forward with voice and prong; “Debraj” did so with a +good will. When “Kennedy” saw his ancient enemy charging at +him, he forgot his grudge against Ashton, and, considering that +“he who <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1566" href= +"#xd20e1566" name="xd20e1566">106</a>]</span>fights and runs away lives +to fight another day”, he bolted, with his trunk in the air. +Ashton was picked up from the dust very much shaken by his rolling and +fright but, to the astonishment of every one, in no way injured.</p> +<p>During one of his shooting expeditions, the Maharajah and his +companions decided one night that they would go out on foot at the very +break of dawn and see the animal world in the jungle; and they were +well rewarded for their adventurous spirit. In a glade of the forest +they had a magnificent sight of a large herd of bison peacefully +grazing in the dewy grass. They could hear tigers and bears passing +back through the jungles to their dens in the deeper forest, and as the +men stood there admiring the grand heads of the bison a monstrous tiger +passed along quite close to one of the party, the Maharajah’s +brother-in-law. On the bank of a river they came upon a nest of young +pythons. The guests thought it was a curious mound; but the Maharajah +recognised the reared heads of the young snakes and told his friends +what the heap was. When they came closer, they could see that the long +slimy bodies were all twisted together; and with an uncanny feeling, +the sportsmen watched these <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1570" +href="#xd20e1570" name="xd20e1570">107</a>]</span>serpents uncoil +themselves from each other and glide away and disappear through the +grass.</p> +<p>Once, after a long and fruitless day in the jungles, the Maharajah +decided he would try his luck stalking some deer that he spied on the +opposite side of a narrow strip of jungle. He accordingly left his +elephant and began to creep through the long dry bramble-choked grass +with his rifle in his hand. As he pushed his way through the thick +jungle he fancied he heard an animal breathing and then something +crackled. Intent on the deer before him, he concluded that he had +broken a twig or a branch with the end of his rifle and pushed on. As +he emerged from the thicket on the opposite side from where he had +entered, he came face to face with a group of shepherds. They stared at +him in amazement and then, recognising him as their Maharajah, fell at +his feet in rapturous joy. Accustomed as he was to demonstrations from +his people, their abandon struck him as something unusual, and he was +about to question them when they exclamed: “<i>Hoozoor, +Dharmabatar</i>, (Your Honor, Royal Master,) how did you come in safety +through that jungle?” He smiled at their wonderment and was about +to chide them gently when they <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1577" +href="#xd20e1577" name="xd20e1577">108</a>]</span>continued: “An +immense tiger has just slain one of our cows and dragged it into that +very jungle from which Your Honor has emerged.” The Maharajah now +understood that the sound he had heard as he pushed his way through the +jungle was the tiger enjoying a feed of his kill, and he felt thankful +that he had not stumbled directly upon it. Like the keen sportsman he +was, he signalled his elephant and, mounting it, secured the feasting +tiger with an easy shot.</p> +<p>One cold season, the Viceroy was enjoying a shoot on the +Maharajah’s estates. One evening, as they were dressing for +dinner, there came through the stillness of the restful air the +“twitter” of a tiger. Do many of my readers know what the +“twitter” of a tiger is? It is a sound the Monarch of the +Jungle makes and it is just like the twitter of a bird;—in fact, +some declare it <i>is</i> only the twitter of a bird. Well, on this +particular evening, the tiger must have been passing quite close to the +camp, for his “twitter” was clear and unmistakeable. The +Maharajah, with his usual courtesy, immediately bethought himself of +his guests, and invited Their Excellencies to come out into the open +and listen to the novel sound. They did, and very <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1584" href="#xd20e1584" name= +"xd20e1584">109</a>]</span>pleased and proud they were when they heard +the tiger’s “twitter” clearly and distinctly through +the gathering shade and stillness of the darkening night.</p> +<p>The shooting camps were invariably pitched on the bank of a river or +stream. One evening, two of the servants crossed the shallow stream in +front of the camp to enjoy some fishing. They found a suitable place +behind a mound and here they sat quietly watching their lines. The +afternoon hours passed swiftly and the sun was nearing the horizon when +their attention was simultaneously drawn to a sound above their heads. +Looking up, to their horror, they saw an immense tiger just above them. +One of them shivered with terror and, clutching his companion, said in +a hoarse whisper: “Our hour has come.” The other whispered +back: “Keep perfectly still and quiet.” Breathless, the two +watched the huge tiger descend the bank and pass majestically to the +edge of the water where he stopped to quench his thirst. It seemed to +the two trembling men that it took the Lord of the Jungle fully half an +hour to drink his fill. Then, as slowly and impressively, the tiger +turned from the stream and ascended the bank. When he reached the top +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1588" href="#xd20e1588" name= +"xd20e1588">110</a>]</span>he stood there, gazing before him either as +if admiring the scenery or contemplating a meal off one of the men. The +pair scarcely dared to breathe and wild schemes of taking to their +heels to gain the centre of the stream and swim down the river shot +through their brains. At last the tiger slowly turned away from the +river and disappeared into the forest. Then, after some time, the +frightened servants hurried across the stream back to camp, and told +the Maharajah of their terrible experience. The footprints of the +animal corroborated their story and their asseveration that they had +seen a very very big tiger.</p> +<p>During one of the shoots, the <i>shikaris</i> (native sportsmen) +brought news that a rhino had been seen in a certain jungle. The guests +were much excited and a beat was organised for the next day. The +morning dawned and all set out and were soon posted to their various +positions. The front “stop” guns were on the bank of a +river. The Maharajah was in the beating line. When about half way +through the piece of jungle he noticed that one of his brother guns +looked disappointed. He accordingly asked “What’s +up?” The guest answered that he thought that a large animal had +broken back. However <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1596" href= +"#xd20e1596" name="xd20e1596">111</a>]</span>nothing was discovered and +as it was mid-day a halt for lunch was considered desirable. A spot was +soon selected and the signal given and the lines broke up. Just as the +foremost elephants were about to kneel to permit their riders to +dismount, there arose from the “stop” elephants a cry of +“Tiger”. In the jungle, quite close to one of the +“stop” guns, a tiger was enjoying a feed of a wild pig; and +as the elephant turned to join the others, he almost trod on the tiger. +In a moment the line was re-organised, but the surprised tiger, finding +itself surrounded by foes, turned tail and ran down the bank of the +river. The stream was nearly dry and the bed was very shingly, and as +the startled tiger picked its way gingerly across the pebbles and pools +of water it looked like a stranded cat. It had not progressed very far +when a well-directed shot laid it low; and with this unexpected prize +the party sat down to lunch in excellent spirits. As rhino generally +fight shy of elephants, they did not think there was much use +continuing the beat after lunch. So they decided that they should make +tracks for home and have general shooting. General shooting means that +there is no beating line. A long <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1598" href="#xd20e1598" name="xd20e1598">112</a>]</span>straight +line of march is formed, and each gun elephant is in between the pad or +beating elephants. The Maharajah was almost the last gun in the line. +Nearly all were out of the jungle when his keen and practised eye +noticed a small pad elephant jib at something as they passed through a +piece of jungle. “Did your elephant refuse to come +through?” he questioned the <i>mahout</i> of the small elephant. +“Yes, Maharajah, he smelt something in the jungle,” the man +replied. “Beat this piece of jungle”, the Maharajah quickly +ordered the pad elephants with him. They beat it and drove forth a +rhino which fell dead to the Maharajah’s gun. Before His Highness +had time to take up his other rifle, a second galloped out of the +jungle and charged straight at the Maharajah’s elephant. The +elephant spun round to avoid the furious onslaught and in the meantime +the Maharajah managed to raise his gun and, getting in his shot in +spite of the gyrations of the elephant, laid out rhino No. 2 in grand +style to the applause of his companions.</p> +<p>Coming back to camp in the dusk one evening, the Maharajah, who had +wonderful eyesight, thought he saw a tiger lying still in an open +field. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1605" href="#xd20e1605" name= +"xd20e1605">113</a>]</span>He raised his gun and whispered to his +<i>mahout</i>. As they came nearer, the tiger—for tiger it +was—raised itself to its feet and prepared to spring at the +elephant. Too late! Snap went the Maharajah’s trigger and the +royal beast lay dead.</p> +<p>These are but a few of the shooting adventures of a +sportsman-Maharajah who has gone on the long journey from life to the +greater life beyond, but whose memory lives in the annals of Bengal as +a keen and successful shot.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="back"> +<div class="transcribernote"> +<h2>Colophon</h2> +<h3>Availability</h3> +<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a class="exlink" title="External link" +href="http://www.gutenberg.org/">www.gutenberg.org</a>.</p> +<p>Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Distributed Proofreading Team +from page images provided by the <a class="exlink" title= +"External link" href= +"http://www.archive.org/details/BengalDacoitsAndTigers">Million Books +Project</a>.</p> +<p>Project Gutenberg catalog page: <a class="pglink" href= +"http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10928">10928</a>.</p> +<h3>Encoding</h3> +<h3>Revision History</h3> +<ul> +<li>2004-02-03 Added TEI tagging.</li> +<li>2010-01-16 Revisited.</li> +</ul> +<h3>External References</h3> +<p>This Project Gutenberg eBook contains external references. These +links may not work for you.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10928 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/10928-h/images/book.png b/10928-h/images/book.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..963d165 --- /dev/null +++ b/10928-h/images/book.png diff --git a/10928-h/images/external.png b/10928-h/images/external.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba4f205 --- /dev/null +++ b/10928-h/images/external.png diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..86ccabc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10928 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10928) diff --git a/old/10928-0.txt b/old/10928-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..68ae798 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10928-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2598 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by Maharanee Sunity Devee + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Bengal Dacoits and Tigers + +Author: Maharanee Sunity Devee + +Release Date: January 18, 2010 [EBook #10928] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS *** + + + + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Million Book Project) + + + + + + + + + + + BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS + + by + + Maharanee Sunity Devee, C.I. + of Cooch Behar + + + + +Contents + + Dacoit Stories + + The Jhee's Discovery + Trapped by a Cobra + Saved by a Bear + Raghu Dacoit + Girl as Kali-Ma + The Deputy Magistrate + All for Nothing + A Punjabee Dacoit + A Child's Experience + Two Chinese Dacoits + An Unfaithful Servant + + Tiger Stories + + The Bearer's Fate + Through the Roof + Earning the Reward + A Burmese Monster + The Palki and the Tiger + An Assam Adventure + A Thrilling Story + A Cachar Tiger + A Maharajah's Adventures + + + + + + +PART I + +Dacoit Stories + + + +The Jhee's Discovery + +It was the month of Jaishta (May-June) in Bengal, and the earth +languished under the scorching rays of the sun and sent up a voiceless +prayer to the Rain God to come soon and refresh the fields and jungles +with the welcome "barsat" (rainy season). + +Yet, in spite of the intense heat, a young and delicately nurtured +Bengali lady was travelling. She was on her way to pay a visit to +her parents-in-law, for after marriage the bride returns to her +childhood's home and remains there, paying visits from time to time +to her husband's home until the day comes when she goes to live there. + +It is a Bengali custom that ladies, especially young ladies, must +always wear their jewellery, even when travelling. Arms, wrists, +neck and ankles, bare of jewels, are a sign of widowhood or dire +poverty. Out young heroine was accordingly adorned with jewels and she +was also richly attired. Was she not the daughter of a wealthy man and +going to visit her mother-in-law? So her mother had lovingly dressed +her in an exquisite gold-embroidered Benares silk saree of finest +texture and superb workmanship, and the jewellery, which adorned her +graceful arms, neck and ankles, was in keeping with the richness of +her costume. + +Twelve bearers took turns in carrying the covered palanquin or palki +in which she travelled. They had been in her father's service for +many years and were known, to be trustworthy. A faithful jhee (maid) +accompanied her, sometimes walking beside the palki and at other +times sitting within, to fan her young mistress and help to enliven +the weary journey with tales of former travels. Two men-servants, +whom in Bengal we call durwans and who are permitted to bear arms +in defence of their masters' goods, completed the party. One of +them walked on either side of the palanquin and each carried a naked +sword in his hand. These two men were tried and trusted retainers of +the young lady's father, and were prepared to defend their master's +daughter even at the cost of their lives. + +The route lay through a lonely country district with stretches of +rice-fields scattered between, and villages nestling here and there +among groves of trees. At. one of these villages the party halted +awhile for rest and refreshment, and then on again in the fierce heat +of a close Indian day. + +Thus many miles had been passed; and the evening shades were beginning +to cool the wearisome day, when the travellers drew near to a group of +trees not far from a small tank (artificial lake). The palki-bearers +sighted this ideal resting-place and asked the jhee to inform their +young mistress of it, and beseech that they might stop there and +refresh themselves with a draught of water, after which they would +be able to travel still faster, + +A gracious consent was readily given by the fair one within the +palanquin. She had found the heat almost beyond endurance, and pitied +the bearers who had the weight of her palki and herself added to +their sufferings. + +The palanquin was gently set down under a large and shady tree, and +the durwans respectfully withdrew a little distance to permit of the +jhee raising the covering, so that their kind mistress might also +enjoy the grateful shade and coolness of the grove. + +The spot was lonely and their responsibility great, so the men decided +among themselves that they should divide into two parties. Six should +remain with the guard to protect their fair charge in case of any +untoward happening while the other six refreshed themselves at +the lake. + +This plan was no sooner agreed upon than the first six trooped off +gleefully towards the tank. The others stretched themselves in the +shade and relaxed their limbs in the interval of waiting. + +Time passed unheeded till it dawned upon some of those who waited that +they still thirsted and that the first six seemed too long away. They +asked the jhee to obtain leave for them to go and hurry the others up +and refresh themselves at the same time, so that the journey might +soon be resumed as the evening sun was nearing the horizon, and if +they delayed further night would overtake them. The young lady gave +the desired permission and the second six soon disappeared towards +the tank. They too were long away! + +The jhee felt uneasy but kept her fears to herself. Suddenly she too +disappeared. Without a word to her mistress she had decided to see what +the bearers were doing at the tank. Climbing up a tree, she crept along +an overhanging branch and a dreadful sight met her horrified gaze. Some +of the bearers lay dead in the shallow water and the surviving ones +were fighting desperately for their lives with a small band of outlaws. + +Rushing back to the palki with the utmost speed and regardless +of onlookers, she flung wide the door, screaming frantically, +"Dacoits! dacoits! run, didi (elder sister), run. With these eyes of +mine I saw them. I climbed a tree and saw them. Some of our bearers +lie dead and they are killing the others. Fly! fly for your life!" With +these words she turned and led the way with swiftness impelled by fear. + +The lonely occupant of the palanquin received the awful tidings with +horror and dismay. Often had she heard tales of dacoits and their +ruthless deeds. For a fleeting instant the thought, that she must fall +a victim to such desperados, paralysed her with fear; but only for an +instant. Her woman's wit and ingenuity moved her to action. Quickly +she divested herself of her heavy jewelled anklets. How could she +run thus weighted? and might not their value satisfy the greed of the +highwaymen? Flinging them down in the palanquin, she hastily closed +the doors and dropped the covering over its sides. Let them think +she was within. The search of the palki would delay them awhile. + +Then tucking up her rich satee she too started to run for her life. She +had gone but a few steps when the voices of the two durwans arrested +her. They had heard the jhee's distracted cry, and their only thought +was for their young mistress. + +"Didi," they said, addressing her affectionately and respectfully by +the endearing name of sister, which is a custom permitted in Bengal to +the servants of every household. In the home of her girlhood a girl is +addressed as "didi" (sister) and in her father-in-law's house as "bow" +(son's wife). Sons of the family are addressed as "dada" (brother, +strictly elder brother) and sons-in-law as "jamai". + +"Didi, fear not! As long as there is breath in these bodies we will +defend you. If the dacoits overtake us, we will guard you. No harm +shall come to you." + +Encouraged by their presence and words, the girl made all possible +speed. But her delicate feet were unused to rough, hard roads, +and, despite her will and brave efforts, she tripped and stumbled +continually. In Bengal, in the hot dry weather, the country roads +are difficult to traverse. The deep ruts of the rainy season dry up +and the once muddy earth crumbles into thick heavy dust, into which +the feet of the wayfarers sink. Fast travelling is difficult even for +those who are used to journeying, so the poor young lady made little +headway and was soon overtaken by her pursuers. They had not been +long in discovering her flight and were soon racing after her from +under the tree. As she ran she heard their shouts, and then realised +that they had caught up with her guard who were resisting them. + +The poor girl ran on and on alone, and presently saw a tiny hamlet +hidden among some trees. She made for this as fast as her trembling +limbs could carry her and rushed breathlessly into a small red +brick-house, the door of which stood slightly ajar, crying: "Shut +the door! Dacoits are following me!" Then, overcome with fear and +exhaustion, she sank unconscious upon the floor. + +The ladies of the little household ran forward on hearing her cry and +shut the door promptly. Dacoits were known and feared everywhere. Then +they tenderly ministered to the stranger. As soon as she recovered +her senses, she related to them what had befallen her and implored +their protection. + +The master of the house immediately despatched a messenger to a distant +police outpost for aid. Soothed and comforted, the girl eagerly hoped +and prayed for the arrival of her attendants. + +After some time, word was brought in that a palki was approaching. Even +in the dark the approach of a palki is made known by the rhythmic cries +of the bearers. Soon it arrived in front of the red brick-house and +the bearers, halting, asked loudly if a strange lady, richly attired +and decked with jewels, was within. From an upper window the master +of the house answered them, while the girl and her kindly hostess +listened anxiously downstairs. The pseudo palki-bearers next informed +the listeners that they were the servants of a very wealthy man and +had been conveying his daughter to her parents-in-law's house. + +"But" they boldly declared, "our master's daughter is such a +troublesome girl. She causes us much anxiety whenever she is sent to +visit her mother-in-law. She is so unwilling to go that it is with +great difficulty that we get her safely there." + +The anxious listeners within felt sure these were the dacoits and +longed for the arrival of the police. The disguised thieves persisted +in their questioning for some time in spite of the house master's +repeated advice that they had better search elsewhere. At last they +departed carrying the palki with them. And the dwellers in the red +brick-house breathed more freely. But not for long. + +The village was a tiny one and the pretended bearers soon returned +from their search. Planting the palki in the doorway, they shouted: +"We know for certain that our mistress is hiding somewhere. We feel +sure she is in your house. Here we will sit till you send her forth." + +On hearing these words the poor pursued girl fell at the feet of her +host, calling herself his daughter and addressing him as "father", and +implored of him not to give her up to these awful dacoits. The good +man assured her of his protection while his wife raised her from the +floor, and, embracing her, said they would all sooner suffer death +than give her up. + +The trying hours dragged on till past midnight. Then the dacoits +announced that the lady must be produced or they would force an +entrance into the house. No reply was given to this ultimatum. The +highwaymen waited awhile and then assailed the door with heavy blows. + +The distraught girl besought her hostess to take her jewels and +hand them out to the burglars and thus ensure peace and safety for +all. The mistress of the house declared this would not satisfy the +ruffians and once more assured her guest that, whatever happened, +they would strive to protect her. + +Presently the door gave way and, with coarse oaths and triumphant +threats, the dacoits entered. But unknown to them,--so busy had they +been hammering and swearing,--the police had arrived and now followed +in on their heels. The dacoits were all captured and confessed their +guilt as to the murder of the palki-bearers and the probable death +of the two durwans, who, they averred, had fought like tigers. + +The bodies of these two devoted servants were found, all battered +and bruised, on the roadside and were given honourable cremation by +their master, whose daughter they had saved by their devotion. + +The jhee was found close to the spot, hiding among the branches of a +tree. She had witnessed the fight between the durwans and dacoits and +the flight and pursuit of her mistress. When both reached home again, +the jhee filled up dull hours with vivid accounts of their adventure. + +This little story is a true one and shows how difficult and dangerous +travel was in the old days in Bengal. Travelling by palki is now +in many parts a thing of the past, for the whole Province is being +linked together by a network of railways. Good roads and better police +arrangements also lessen the terrors of travelling in places where +railways are still wanting. + + + +Trapped by a Cobra + +Not many years ago a young married lady was journeying alone. + +It is not customary in India for young women, even if married, to go +out by themselves. The purdah system unfits them for independence. Even +when going for a short distance by palanquin or just for a carriage +drive, a chaperon is necessary. + +Yet occasions arise when it is imperative that they should journey, +but no suitable escort can be found or spared for the purpose. They +are then obliged to go with servants. It may seem strange that young +ladies should be permitted to travel alone with servants. But readers +who know India will not be surprised, for Indians treat their servants +after the patriarchal system, especially those who have served the +family for generations. Even hired attendants, like the driver in +this story, are thoroughly trusted when known to the family. + +The young lady was on her way to visit her father and mother. Indian +parents-in-law cannot visit at the parental home of their +daughter-in-law. Therefore bow-ma journeyed alone with her little son, +a child of about five years of age. + +The distance was not a long one, only from Calcutta to Durgapore, a +village a few miles away from the city. So a hackney-carriage was hired +with a driver who had often before been employed by her father-in-law, +and everyone felt assured bow-ma would reach her destination safely. + +Her mother-in-law saw her into the carriage. Her little boy was lifted +up beside her, and, with many injunctions to drive carefully and with +speed ringing in his ears, the driver whipped up his horses and they +were off. + +Bow-ma knew the road well. Often had she journeyed to and fro in +the early years of her married life, and even after the birth of her +little son her visits to her parents had been frequent. + +The carriage was close and her heavy silken saree hot to wear, so +she opened the venetians and lazily watched the familiar landmarks +as they passed. She had started early so that the journey should be +accomplished in day-light, and still they did not reach home. She +noted the various trees and hedges and was puzzled. Surely, the road +seemed different. The sun, a ball of golden fire, sank to rest in +a bed of many-tinted clouds, and still they had not arrived. Bow-ma +felt strangely anxious. + +The carriage suddenly swerved. To her dismay she saw they had turned +into a rough and untravelled road with paddy-fields on either side. The +place seemed lonely. It was now rapidly growing dark, for in India +after sun-set Night does not long delay her coming. A presentiment of +evil clutched bow-ma's heart. She whispered to her little boy to ask +the driver where they were and when they should arrive. In India it +is not permitted a woman to address any man save her husband, father, +and brothers. + +The child obeyed but the driver made no reply. "Ask again," whispered +the mother, "he has not heard you." + +The boy asked, "When shall we arrive?" again and again, but not a +word answered the driver. + +Bow-ma, now thoroughly alarmed, beat the shutters of the carriage +and commanded her son to shout loudly. The boy screamed at the top +of his voice, "Why don't you reply? What road is this?" + +The driver now answered disrespectfully: "You will soon know where +you are going," and laughed. + +His rude gruff tone and evasive answer confirmed bow-ma's worst +fears. The awful word dacoits stood out in her mind in letters of +fire. Horror and dread filled her soul. Drawing her child towards +her, she hushed his eager questioning and waited in silent anguish +for the coming danger. + +The carriage bumped and rattled over the uneven road. Presently it +stopped. It was now almost dark. The door was jerked open and a harsh +voice commanded: "Get out of the carriage." Bow-ma recognised the +driver's voice and, realising the futility of objecting, without a +word she stepped down and helped her little son to alight. + +"Follow me" was the next rough order. Again she silently obeyed. The +man left the road and led her a little distance away under the shadow +of some trees. "Take off your jewels. Give them to me." A faint sigh +of relief escaped her. Perhaps the jewels were all he wanted. Quickly +she unclasped her handsome necklet and gave it him. He grasped it +greedily with one hand and extended the other for more. One by one she +stripped her wrists and arms of their lovely bracelets and bangles and +handed them to him. "More" he growled. She pulled the rings from her +fingers and added to them her ear and nose rings. "Your waist chain" +he snapped. She unclasped and dropped its golden weight into those +greedy hands. "Take off your anklets, I want all" he sneered. She +knelt on the ground to unclasp them. Then, rising, handed them to him, +wondering what more would follow. + +Meanwhile the child wept bitterly, and angrily forbade the driver +to take his mother's jewels, calling him robber and thief. "Yes, +dacoit I am," the scoundrel replied to the boy's revilings, "and if +you will not be quiet, I will teach you how to." Bow-ma gently strove +to console and silence her son. "Fret not! Your father will give me +more and better jewels." + +"Take off your saree" was the next outrageous command. The boy's +indignation flamed afresh. His mother took an unguarded step forward +and asked: "Are not my jewels enough that you want the saree off +my back?" + +"Aye, your saree and all you have. Silence your child or I will kill +him." Terrible was the harsh voice in its determination. Bow-ma's +heart stood still. Entreaty would be of no avail. She unwound the +richly-embroidered silken folds from about her and cast the gold and +green saree at his feet: "Take it." + +"You have stripped my mother," screamed the boy. The ruffian caught +the saree with a fearful oath and turning on him said: "Now I can +deal with you. I will fetch a brick from yonder kiln and pound the +breath out of you," With these words he strode forward, tying the +jewels in the saree as he went. Now her sorely-tried nerves gave way, +and, distracted with grief, bow-ma caught her child in her arms, +and their mingled cries rent the air. But the thief did not return. + +About midnight a village policeman going his rounds heard their +cries. At first he paid no heed to them: jackals swarmed and disturbed +the night. Again the anguished voices quivered in the air. There was +something human in the sound. He stopped to listen. The cries rose +again. He walked forward in their direction. Clearer, as he advanced, +shrilled the distressed voices, and he recognised they were those +of a woman and a child. He quickened his steps and hastened to +the spot. The light from his lantern revealed bow-ma and her son, +clinging to each other and weeping piteously. + +"Who are you? What ails you?" he asked. The distraught mother, +unconscious of the flight of time, thinking him the heartless dacoit +returned to kill her boy, fell at his feet in an agony of supplication: +"Spare my son. Take my life instead." + +"I am a chowkidar (watchman). What is up?" But so dulled were her +ears with fear and grief that he was twice obliged to repeat his +words. When the joyful intelligence reached her brain she burst into +tears. "O! save my son." Then the consciousness that the danger +was past reminded her of her own plight, and she sobbed: "Give me +something to wear." + +The policeman had noticed her semi-nude state. Dropping, his pugree +at her feet he turned away. She shook out its many folds and draped +it about her body. Then she related what had befallen her and pointed +towards the direction the thief had taken. + +The policeman walked cautiously forward, his lantern raised in one +hand and his lathi tightly grasped in the other. A few yards ahead +he came to an old brick kiln. Here, prone among the broken bricks, +lay the robber in greater straits than his victims. A huge cobra was +tightly coiled round his right arm, while on the left hung the saree +and the jewels. The rays of the lantern disturbed the snake. With +an angry hiss it uncoiled itself and disappeared. The dacoit, more +dead than alive from simple fear of the snake's fatal sting, yielded +himself a prisoner, and it was subsequently discovered that the whole +gang, of whom he was a member, were licensed hackney drivers. + + + +Saved by a Bear + +The evening shadows and silence had settled on the river Hooghly as an +old Brahman wended his way to one of the many ghats (landing places). + +The dinghis--little boats which ply backwards and forwards all day +carrying passengers to and from Calcutta--had all been made fast +for the night. Some of the boatmen were cooking their evening meal, +while others sat about on the decks smoking and singing. Many of the +boats were wedged close together and drawn up on to the bank. + +But one lay well in the water and some distance from its +fellow-craft. Its manjhi (headman) stood on the stern deck, binding +together the mat roof of his boat. His seemingly careless gaze took +in the Brahman, about to descend the bank. He noted that the old man +carried a parcel, partially concealed in his chadar (scarf), and, +from the manner in which he hugged it, the observer concluded it +contained something valuable. As the Brahman came nearer, the manjhi +saw it was a bag of money. + +The old man picked his way down the bank and called upon boat after +boat to take him to a small village near Serampore, for in those days +there was no railway. None were willing to go so far. Meanwhile a +whispered consultation had taken place between the manjhi and dhars +(oarsmen) of the furthest dinghi. When the Brahman finally accosted +them, they first demurred and then, as though still reluctant, +consented to hire their boat. + +Just as they were pushing off, a man with a performing bear ran down +the bank. "Where goest thou?" he asked. + +"Serampore" answered the Brahman before the boatman could reply. + +"My home is near by," the man remarked gladly, and jumped into the +boat, pulling his bear after him. + +The boatmen scowled angrily: "Get out, we go not so far." But he +would not. The manjhi warned him that he and his bear would gain +nothing by forcing themselves into the boat. + +"These boatmen are queer customers," he laughingly remarked to the +Brahman, and to them: "Gain nothing! Why! I will reach my home." + +"So you say," they answered. + +The bear-man wondered within himself at their unwillingness to have +him as a passenger. He and the old Brahman made a few remarks to each +other. Then they fell silent. + +They were near the end of their journey when the bear-man asked +suddenly: "Manjhi, have we not passed Serampore?" + +"Are you the guru of boatmen that you question me?" replied the +manjhi, and then, in a more conciliatory tone, added: "We are going +higher up for a crossing. The tide is strong." The explanation was +reasonable. But the bear-man's suspicions had been awakened and he +was on the alert. The Brahman sat placidly nursing his bag which the +bear-man too had noticed contained money. He had also noticed that +the manjhis kept glancing furtively at it and its owner. + +The river crossed, the boat hugged the bank; after a time it came +to a standstill. One of the manjhis jumped ashore with the rope +and secured it to a tree. The Brahman and the bear-man both asked: +"What is wrong? Why stop the boat in this strange place?" + +"You will soon know, you will soon see," answered the boatmen and +chuckled over some secret joke as, one after another, each stepped +ashore and disappeared. + +The aged Brahman gazed after them apprehensively. Then, placing his +money between his knees, as he sat on the deck with crossed legs tucked +under him, he folded his hands together and bent forward in prayer. + +The bear-man thought within himself: "Prayer for him, action for +me." And saying softly to the old man; "Brahman Thakoor, something +is brewing. I follow to see," he too stepped ashore. + +Not far from the tree he found a small thatched house and several +men gathered behind it. Moving warily forward among the group he +recognised the manjhis. "Dacoits!" he whispered to himself. Then an +inspiration struck him. + +He ran back to the boat, and asked the Brahman to change his seat +to the stern and be ready to steer off when he gave him a signal. He +took up a position in the prow and fondled his bear. + +Within a few minutes a party of men appeared coming towards the +dinghi. Some were boatmen; all were dacoits. + +The actor loosed the bear's chain, saying: "Go! go! hug the life out +of all of them!" + +The sagacious animal responded to his master's order with a fierce +charge right among the approaching band of robbers. With startled +cries they fled in all directions. Quite sure they were effectively +scattered, the bear-man called his animal back, secured its chain +once more, and pushed from the shore. + +With some difficulty he and the old Brahman navigated themselves back +to Calcutta and informed the police authorities there. The police +took possession of the dinghi which on inspection proved to be a +dacoit's nest well-equipped with instruments fitted for murder and +robbery. But none of this gang of river dacoits were captured. + +The lives of the Brahman and the showman were certainly saved by the +wonderful intelligence of the latter's bear. + + + +Raghu Dacoit + +Madhub Babu, a Calcutta gentleman, owned much property in that city +and was known far and wide on account of his great wealth. To do him +honour, the City Fathers had named a tank after him. + +At that time there flourished a notorious dacoit, Raghu, for whose +capture Government had offered a handsome reward. But like Robin Hood +of old, Raghu Dacoit had caught popular fancy by his generosity to +the poor. Though he looted the rich, to the needy, the famine-stricken +and widows he was always kind. No one would inform against him. + +Madhub Babu had a fine country house in Chandernagore, where he +frequently entertained his friends. On one of these occasions, the +latest doings of Raghu Dacoit were being discussed. The Babu remarked +confidently: "He dare not visit me. He knows my house is well guarded." + +One of the guests quickly rejoined: "Oh, don't say that. Raghu Dacoit +is a dangerous and clever man." + +A few days after, Madhub Babu received a letter from the famous +outlaw saying that he would be pleased to visit the rich man's +country house. Madhub Babu was amazed at the audacity of the fellow, +and wondered how his remark had reached the robber's ears. + +He immediately sent information to Calcutta and asked for a strong +body of police to be sent at his expense. They arrived, and his +country residence was extra well guarded for some time. But nothing +happened! Madhub Babu concluded that the letter had been a hoax. So +the police guard was withdrawn. + +Madhub Babu's Chandernagore house stood on the bank of the river. One +dark night a boat came quietly to the ghat. Its occupants silently +landed and proceeded stealthily to the house. Every door and window +was securely fastened, but what mattered that to Raghu and his +band? Tall trees graced the grounds everywhere and many grew near the +house. Climbing the nearest, some of the dacoits reached up a long +and stout bamboo from it to the flat roof. A slim youth crawled over +and fixed the other end securely. Then one by one some of the gang +slid across. The door of the staircase leading down into the house +stood open. Creeping like cats downstairs they gained the entrance +hall. Here they found all the durwans fast asleep. The light of their +lanterns showed the durwans' swords hanging on the wall. In a trice +the dacoits had them down, unsheathed, and, oh, bitter blow! despatched +Madhub Babu's men with their own weapons. + +Then noiselessly opening the door they admitted the remainder of the +band. For a few hours there was uproar, confusion and dismay while +the burglars invaded room after room and collected all Madhub Babu's +treasures with which they disappeared. + +While still smarting under the loss of his valuables, the Babu received +another letter from Raghu Dacoit asking, "Had his visit given Madhub +Babu pleasure?" + + + +Girl as Kali-Ma + +A large and well-to-do family lived happily in a country place +in Bengal. + +One day their peace was disturbed by an anonymous letter. The writer +warned them to expect a "dacoity" (burglary). These Indian outlaws +always make it a point of honour to inform their intended victims, +and always come with drums, torch-light and a sort of war-cry. + +There was much valuable jewellery in the house and the family, thinking +discretion the better part of valour, gathered all together, packed +it securely and, taking it with them, left their home about sunset +for safe quarters. + +Somehow one of the younger ladies with a tiny infant was left +behind. Unaware of the warning letter or desertion of the family, +she slept peacefully through the early hours of the night. But later, +she was awakened by the sound of drums and loud cries, which she +recognised as the signal of the dacoits. Rushing out of her chamber +she discovered that the burglars were already in the house and that +none of the family were to be found. From room to room she fled, +finding none to protect her, and realised that she was alone and +helpless. Even her husband was gone! + +She was a high-spirited and resourceful girl. She knew her life +and the baby's as well were in danger and she determined to outwit +the burglars. She had a swarthy complexion like Kali, the dacoits' +divinity. Often had her mother bemoaned its darkness! Now it should +serve her. But was she black enough? To make assurance doubly sure, +she caught up a bottle of ink, which she knew where to find, and +hastily smeared her face and limbs with it. Then, hiding her baby +in a safe corner, she uncoiled her heavy hair and let its luxuriant +black tresses fall about her like a cloak. Her preparations complete, +she placed herself in a large niche at the head of the stairs. + +The dacoits found nothing below worth attention and trooped +upstairs. The flickering glare of their torches fell upon a life-like +image of Kali the Terrible. With protruding scarlet tongue and fixed +staring eyes, the girl stood immovable and breathless, silently +invoking all her family gods to come to her aid in her bold design. + +With an awe-struck cry of "Mercy! mercy! Kali-Ma!", the thieves +fell prostrate at her feet. The girl held her breath. Was it +possible that her plan had succeeded? The slow seconds passed. The +Chief arose. "Come, brothers, we touch nothing where Mother Kali is +worshipped." With hasty and reverent steps they descended the stairs +and left the house. + +Long after the dacoits had gone the girl stood there. Then the strain +snapped and she relapsed to her normal self. Fear swept over her and +she rushed out of the house. But her trembling limbs could not carry +her far. She fell in a dead faint on the pathway. The neighbours, +who had heard the dacoits enter the house and seen them go away silent +and empty-handed, came to learn the mystery and found her there. + +When the family returned next morning, the neighbours abused them +soundly for leaving the girl and her babe behind. The girl herself +was so hurt by the neglect that she had scarcely strength enough +to relate the strange happenings of the night. Her husband found it +difficult to make his peace; he said that he believed her to be with +the ladies of the family. In zenana families even the most devoted +husband has little voice in his wife's movements, as all arrangements +are left in the hands of the mother-in-law. There were several ladies +and children in the family and the mother-in-law had thought the girl +was with some of them. Friendship was however finally restored. All +generously admired her ingenuity and realised her bravery. From the +white-haired old father to the smallest child, everyone was grateful +then and always after for her presence of mind on that memorable night. + + + +The Deputy Magistrate + +In the Dacca district, a few years ago, there was a big dacoity. A +Deputy Magistrate was ordered to secretly investigate the matter and, +if possible, to capture the miscreants. + +Besides his cook and personal attendants he took with him some +policemen. All were disguised. They travelled in several small boats. + +It was late in the evening as they neared the place, where the burglary +had occurred. He decided to proceed no further that night. The boats +put to; the men cooked their evening meal and all retired. + +About midnight, the Magistrate awoke with a start to hear many voices +calling him by name. He listened: "So you have come to arrest us, +to put us in jail, to hang us. Ah! you will soon see who will be +punished. We shall know how clever you are!" + +The night was pitch-dark. He noiselessly opened the small window +of the boat and saw a number of men, with flaming torches in their +hands and armed with heavy sticks, coming down the bank. There was no +time to call his men. He seized his loaded revolver. But what was one +against so many! He decided to bolt. The land way was barred by the +dacoits. What of the river? He was a good swimmer. But the water looked +black as ink and swarmed with crocodiles. Yet to stay in the boat meant +certain death. If he gained the opposite bank, he could make for his +father-in-law's house, which was near the river and where his wife was +then staying. He might escape the crocodiles. He determined to risk it. + +Like a flash all this passed through his mind. Opening the other +window he clambered out stealthily and slipped into the water. A +few powerful strokes carried him across. He stumbled up the bank and +raced through the thorny jungle to his father-in-law's house. + +The sleeping family were disturbed by his violent knocking. As soon +as he was admitted, he went to his wife's room. She was horrified to +hear of his danger. After a hasty bath and change she insisted that he +should eat something, and while he was refreshing himself, she informed +her father of his son-in-law's escape and predicament. To her surprise, +her father said: "I am sorry, but he must leave my house." + +"O! father, how can he?" she pleaded. + +"He must" repeated her father. + +The daughter fell at her parent's feet and implored him not to drive +her husband forth. But no words of hers could move him. "Why should +all suffer for one?" he argued. She returned sadly to her husband. + +Presently the cries of the dacoits showed that they had scented their +quarry. Soon they shouted at the door: "Open! or drive out the Deputy +Magistrate. We know he is here. Give him to us or what happens be on +your own head." + +The wife wept piteously. Her father remained obdurate, muttering, +"I knew this would happen." + +The unfortunate Magistrate could not understand his father-in-law's +behaviour. He sat with his head bowed in despair. Suddenly his wife +ran to him. + +"You must try to escape. I have an idea." She pulled out a saree and +some jewels, and began to dress him as a woman. + +"It's no use," he said hopelessly, "they will catch me." + +"Be brave," she said encouragingly, "for my sake see if you cannot +elude them." + +With tender hands she arranged the saree, draping it well over his head +to conceal his face. Then giving him a ghurra (water vessel) told him +to pretend that he was going to fetch water from the river. Cheered +by her courage, he caught her to his heart in a mute farewell, and +her prayers went with him. + +He had not gone far from the house when cries arose of "There he +is!" But some one shouted: "It is a woman. Look elsewhere." And he +passed slowly to the river. Here he flung the brass ghurra far out +into the stream and ran for his life along the bank. No sounds of +pursuit followed him, and he now gained courage enough to form a +plan of escape. Not far from his father-in-law's village was a small +police station. Thither he bent his steps and asked protection of +its solitary occupant. + +The man recognised him and asked: "Deputy Saheb, why are you here? What +is wrong?" + +The Magistrate told him of the dacoits and of his escape. "Dacoits +after you!" said the policeman and looked grave. "Sir, I cannot help +you. What is one policewallah against so many? If I shelter you we +shall both die. You better push on." + +For a time the Magistrate pleaded to deaf ears. But at length his +promises of promotion and reward moved the man. "Come" he said "I +will do my best," and, rising, led the way to his own house. Here +in the inner room was a high machan--a huge bamboo shelf made like +a raft and suspended from the roof and reached by a moveable ladder, +used for storing all sorts of things. + +On this machan were some old blankets. "Here, conceal yourself in +these" said the policeman. The Deputy Magistrate needed no second +bidding. He climbed up and rolled himself in one of the blankets and +heaped the others in front of him. The policeman carried the ladder +away, right out of the house. Then he shut the door and returned to +the office. + +After a time there came the noise of the dacoits. They soon entered +the police station and shouted: "Give up that Deputy Saheb. We know +he is here." + +"Deputy, what Deputy? I cannot understand. Where is he?" answered +the policeman. + +"Don't be shamming," returned the dacoits contemptuously, "thou +knowest well whom we mean. Produce him if you value your own life." + +In vain the policeman pleaded ignorance. His trembling limbs and +shaking voice belied his words. The dacoits bound him, searched +the police office, and then proceeded to hunt the house. "He is not +here. Let us not waste further time," said one. "Let's look well," +said another, "and search every place." Some climbed the machan and +discovered their victim. It did not take them long to drag him down, +and beat him mercilessly with their long sticks, till he became +unconscious. The policeman too was severely chastised. Him they +left lying there; but rolled the offending Magistrate in an old mat, +bound him tightly with a rope and carried him away to the river. + +As he was borne on their shoulders through the night air, he gradually +came to his senses but kept silent and listened to his captors. By +this time it was dawn, and they were at the river. The majority were +for re-crossing and burning him, dead or alive. One dissentient voice +struck him with surprise. It was his father-in-law's! Clearly he +was one of the gang! But scruples had overtaken him and he pleaded +that he might not be a witness of the projected murder of his +son-in-law. "Spare me! spare me!" he cried. + +Some jeered: "Ho! Ho! you still have a soft corner in your heart for +your son-in-law." At last they agreed that he might absent himself +and he apparently turned back. + +The others now put their burden into a boat and crossed the river. They +were laughing at the father-in-law's weakness, and as they approached +the ghat failed to observe a Government budgerow anchored there. It +was the Divisional Commissioner's. He was out on tour. The paharawalla +on deck checked them: "Do not make such a noise. The Saheb sleeps." + +They answered rudely and the watchman retorted angrily. The dacoits +loudly abused the man. + +The noise woke up the Commissioner, and he got out on deck with a +loaded revolver in his hand. The dacoits jumped from their dinghy and +ran up the bank. It was evident who they were and the Commissioner +fired, aiming at their legs. One man fell with a scream of pain but +scrambled to his feet and ran on. + +Nothing was to be gained by chasing them through the still dark +jungle. The Commissioner turned his attention to the boat. "Search +it" he ordered his watchmen. His quick eyes detected legs protruding +from a mat, and he was not surprised when his chaprassi called: +"Saheb, a dead man lies in it." + +The Deputy murmured feebly: "I am not dead. I live." The chaprassi +amended the first statement: "Saheb, he speaks." The Commissioner +jumped into the dinghi, cut the ropes that bound the unfortunate man, +and discovered the Deputy Magistrate. It did not take him long to +recover and pour his tale of woe into his Chief's ears. + +By sunrise they were all after the dacoits. Blood-drops marked the +way and, near by, they found the wounded man who, only able to hobble, +had hidden himself in a thicket. The Deputy Magistrate's father-in-law +was arrested. He was one of the leaders of the band. It did not take +long to capture the others. And after this, for a time, this part of +the Dacca district enjoyed peace from dacoits. + + + +All for Nothing + +A young and very high-caste Bengali lady was married to the son of a +rich man who lived near Hooghly, a small town within a short distance +of Calcutta. + +Some years passed, but there was no sign of a son and heir. The +parents-in-law were fond of the girl. She had won her way into their +hearts and they sympathised with her. Yet they longed to see the old +name being carried down the years, and whisperings grew into talk +of a second marriage for their son. The girl's parents were anxious +and distressed. + +Then a kindly Providence intervened, and after months of expectation +a little son lay in her arms, and both families rejoiced with the +girl and shared her pride in the boy baby. + +When the child was about a year old, the young mother's brother became +engaged to be married. The date was fixed and invitations sent to +the girl and to the family of her parents-in-law. It was arranged +that she and her baby should attend the wedding. + +Not far off, also in Hooghly, lived a widowed sister (of the girl) +in her father-in-law's house. She too was going to the wedding, +and it was settled that both sisters should travel in the same +boat to Calcutta. No male member of either family could accompany +them. Therefore, their father sent an old servant from Calcutta to +fetch them. This man was trusted and treated like a member of the +family, with whom he had been for years. + +The girl put together her clothes. Her good mother-in-law unlocked the +great safe and took out the girl's best jewels. An Indian wedding +is the occasion for a great display of clothes and jewellery, +and a well-dressed and richly-adorned bow raises the credit of the +mother-in-law, especially if the wedding is in the girl's own family; +so a careful selection was made. Baby was not forgotten either. Tiny +gold bangles and chains had been showered upon him at his birth, +and this was his first public appearance. + +They started early, so as to arrive during the afternoon. There was +to be a ceremony the next day and many guests had arrived at the +bride-groom's house, and all watched eagerly for the two sisters. But +the hours waned and still they tarried. Late in the evening, the old +servant arrived, agitated and all mud-bespattered. + +Family, guests and servants plied him with questions concerning +the sisters. Not a word would he reply. Suspicions soon voiced +themselves. Dacoits were about. Everyone knew of the wedding and the +consequent family gathering. Everyone knew too that the daughter was +the cherished bow of a rich family. + +Urged by these arguments and his own anxiety, the father threatened +to skin the man alive unless he spoke. Intimidated by his master's +anger, the servant stated that the boat had capsized and the sisters +and baby were drowned. + +The house of mirth and laughter was changed to one of weeping. But +the father did not accept the information in its entirety. He called +in the police and a vigorous search was made. All the boatmen were +found. They stated they had swum ashore but could or would give no +word of the ladies. + +The only possible clue was given by an Englishman living in a mill +on the river bank at Chinsurah. About midnight, on the date of +the disappearance of the ladies, he heard the cries of women and +a child. At first he had thought of going to see what was up. But +the sounds were coming from a thick jungle, and he argued it was +impossible any one could be there in trouble, and finally thought no +more of the seeming cries. + +This ill-omened happening broke up the wedding party. The marriage +was cancelled. All the preparations had been for nothing. To this day +the fate of the sisters is unknown. The bride and bridegroom-elect +were married to other parties. + + + +A Punjabee Dacoit + +In a railway train several Punjabee ladies sat on the lower berths +of a second class compartment, laughing and talking gaily. They +were, with one exception, all richly dressed and each of them wore a +quantity of jewels. The exception was a capable, good-looking woman, +of about twenty-five. Her short hair, neck and arms bare of jewellery, +and plain white saree, proclaimed her a widow. But like the others +she chatted merrily, and a listener would have learned from their +conversation that they had been attending a wedding, and were now +on their way home. Witty remarks about the guests, criticism of the +looks of the bride, and comparisons of this wedding with others, +passed from one to another, and whiled away the hours of the journey +as the train sped onwards. + +Night fell, and the ladies became silent. They rested against each +other and dozed at intervals. The widow sat on a trunk at the end of +the carriage and silently told her beads. The train slowed down and +stopped at a little station. Then the bell clanged and once again +they were on their way. The little station had not been left far +behind when a dark figure appeared on the foot-board of the ladies' +carriage, and a man's head was thrust in at one of the windows. A +startled exclamation from one of the party drew the attention of all +to the intruder, who was pulling himself up into the carriage. He +was very fierce-looking, wore a huge turban, and had a bushy black +beard. In one hand he held a knife and with the other he assisted +himself into the compartment, in spite of the ladies' protestations. + +Some of them began to cry but one or two bolder spirits ventured to +argue with him. In answer to their questions and objections, he said +roughly: "It is a long while before you will reach another station. I +have come for your jewels. If you give them to me quietly, I will +not hurt any of you; but if not--" and he looked very expressively +at the knife in his hand. + +After some few minutes, the ladies, who were inclined to oppose him, +yielded to the tearful advice of their more timid sisters, and one by +one they began to unclasp necklaces and belts and hand them over to +the dacoit together with bracelets, bangles and rings. The ruffian, +finding them docile, did not hustle them in any way but stood leisurely +receiving the spoil. Then he carefully folded all in a rich saree +and was knotting the ends together when the train suddenly stopped, +and an Englishman pushed open the door of the ladies' compartment +and sprang at him with the exclamation, "You scoundrel!" + +The sudden surprise and assault threw the robber off his feet, and +he fell sprawling on the carriage floor, with the Englishman on top +of him. In the meantime, the guard and others arrived and the thief +was secured and his hands and feet were bound together with his own +pugree, and he was removed to the guard's van. + +The widow was the heroine of the adventure. As soon as she saw the +man entering the carriage, she realised his purpose. Slipping into +the lavatory she climbed through the window there on to the footboard, +and pulled herself along by the carriage rods to the next compartment +where the solitary occupant, an Englishman, sat reading. + +He was amazed to see a woman clinging to the window of his carriage, +but fortunately he understood the language; and when she said "Help, +thief in the next carriage", he opened the door and got her into his +carriage without any delay. In a few words, she acquainted him with +what was happening in the next compartment. He immediately pulled +the alarm cord to stop the train, and hurried along the footboard to +the assistance of the ladies. They were profuse in their expressions +of gratitude to him, but he insisted that they owed their lives and +their jewels to their courageous friend. + + + +A Child's Experience + +Some years ago in a country place, not far from Calcutta, there lived +a well-to-do Bengalee gentleman. He was an old man; and his large +family consisting of sons, grandsons, and his brothers with their +wives and children, and many dependent relatives--all lived happily +together in their ancestral home. + +It was an old-fashioned house with verandahs, courtyards and many +rooms. In a large dalan or verandah all the family poojas were +celebrated. Here the daughters of the house were married, and for +generations the old walls had looked on at family gatherings and +festivities. + +There were extensive grounds round the house. Quite close to the zenana +there was a large kitchen garden which supplied all the vegetables +consumed daily in the house; and so plentiful was the produce that +large trays filled with vegetables were sent out every day as presents +to friends, relatives and to the neighbouring temples. + +A little further away was an orchard, and in spring the numerous +mango trees delighted all eyes with their blossoms. And there were +jack fruit trees, peaches, plums and guava trees in numbers, besides +long lines of plantains and palms of several kinds. + +In the garden, orchard and stables there were tanks and wells so +that the supply of water was sufficient for the needs of such a large +establishment. In front of the mansion there was a large ornamental +tank or lake with white marble steps leading to its waters. Here every +evening the men and boys of the family gathered to recreate and enjoy +the cooling south breeze, and they were often joined by neighbours, +and many a pleasant hour was spent on those marble steps. + +An avenue of trees and a high hedge rendered the house quite private, +and the roof was a lovely recreation place and promenade for the +ladles and girls of the family, who were all purdah. + +The old man's wealth was much discussed and the expensive clothes +and rich jewels of the ladies were often spoken of. One day the +old gentleman received a warning letter from a band of dacoits that +the house would be visited by them that night. After some hurried +consultation, the family packed up all their jewels and valuables +and sought shelter in flight. It was decided to spend the night at +a place a few miles distant. + +In the excitement a young mother was separated from her little boy, +a child of about three or four years of age. She concluded that he +was with some other member of the family in another carriage and did +not trouble herself about it. But on their arrival at their place of +refuge he was not found with any of the others. + +The mother's distress of mind was pitiful. She wished to return +for her child; but it was growing dark and there was the danger of +meeting the dacoits. So her wish was overruled, and through the long +night she suffered terrible anxiety, picturing in her mind all that +was perhaps befalling her little son. + +In the meantime the child was sleeping sweetly and peacefully in his +bed in his mother's room. Tired out with play, he had slipped into +bed unknown to any one and there he lay. + +About twelve at night the dacoits arrived and broke into the +house. They searched the empty rooms and were furious at finding no +valuables worth carrying away. They came to the room where the little +boy slept, and their loud voices awakened him. He sat up and, seeing +their strange faces and glaring torches, screamed with fright. One +of them threatened to kill him if he did not stop his noise. Another +stepped to the bedside and taking the little boy in his arms said: +"Little one, do not cry. No one will hurt you." + +The child recognised his father's servant and twined his little arms +around the man's neck. The other dacoits laughed and walked out of +the room leaving their comrade with the child. + +When daylight broke, the family returned home, and the poor young +mother flew through the house in search of her child. To her surprise +and joy she found him sleeping peacefully in her own room. Her +hysterical caresses awakened him and the little fellow could not +understand what ailed his mother. + +"Did nothing happen during the night?" she asked. "Did you see anything +or anyone, my son?" + +Rubbing his chubby knuckles in his eyes the sleepy little boy answered: +"Oh, yes, where were you, mother? A lot of men came. Some wanted to +hit me, but--(naming the servant) was with them, and he sent them +away. Then he gave me sweets and put me to sleep." + +The servant was arrested, and he confessed that he was one of the +band of dacoits who had sent the warning letter and had broken into +the house. Nearly the whole band was captured. + + + +Two Chinese Dacoits + +In a large house in Calcutta there lived an Englishman, his wife and +her sister. Mrs. C. was of a highly-strung and nervous disposition, +and as her husband's business frequently occasioned his absence from +home, they had persuaded her sister Ethel to come out to India on a +long visit. + +Ethel was a bright, lively girl, very practical and quite the opposite +of her sister, whom she often rallied for her timidity. Once when +Alice was more trying than usual, Ethel exclaimed: "Perhaps if I were +a little like you, Alice, delicate, nervous and silly, I might get +a husband who would fuss over me like Charlie does over you." + +Alice laughed at her sister's earnestness and said: "If you were not +healthy and strong-minded you would understand me better, Ethel." + +Not long afterwards the two ladies were left alone for some days as +Mr. C. was obliged to go upcountry on business. While he was away, +Ethel slept with her sister. It was the cold weather when night closes +in early and the evenings are long. Mrs. C. liked an early dinner, +soon after which she always retired. Ethel liked to spend the long +quiet evenings, reading or writing, and often sat up till midnight. + +One afternoon, while they were at lunch, a telegram was brought in, +and on opening it, Alice exclaimed delightedly "Charlie will be back +in time for dinner." + +The evening passed away till dinner time but Mr. C. did not arrive +and the ladies waited till nine o'clock. Then they dined, and when +the clock struck ten and still there was no arrival, Alice said she +would go to bed, as Charlie must have missed his train and the next +was not due till near midnight. + +Ethel looked up from her book and said: "Well, I am sleeping in my +own room." + +"O! you know I hate to be alone," exclaimed Alice; "you might come +and sleep in mine until Charlie comes in." + +"Alice, you are selfish," retorted Ethel. "I shall barely be in bed +before he walks in. The only thing for me is to go to bed in your +room in my evening dress." + +"How silly you are," said Alice peevishly; "why cannot you undress as +usual? Charlie may not come at all to-night and I dread being alone." + +"Oh, very well," said Ethel, "I will come and read in your room till +Charlie does come. I shall never marry a man who is always away on +business," With these words she forsook her easy chair and accompanied +her sister into the large bed-room. She threw herself on the side of +the bed and went on with her book. + +Alice undressed, got into bed and was soon asleep. Ethel finished +her book and then lay waiting for her brother-in-law. The lights in +the hall and on the landing were not extinguished, but the house was +still and quiet. It was near twelve and Alice was just wondering if +Mr. C. would really arrive or if it would not be better for her to +undress and get into bed comfortably when she heard gentle footsteps +on the stairs. + +"There's Charlie," she said to herself, "and how softly he is coming +upstairs! he is a considerate husband." + +She looked at her sister, saw that she was sleeping very soundly. "I +will pretend to be asleep too," said Ethel to herself and she drew +up the bed-clothes to hide her evening dress and put a pillow over +her head. + +To her disappointment, Charlie delayed his coming and she was wondering +if he was dining when the door slowly opened, but instead of Mr. C. two +Chinamen entered the room. Ethel stared at them from under her pillow +with amazement. At first they stood motionless beside the door. Then, +closing it noiselessly, they advanced into the room. Their quaint +clothes, long pigtails and red eyes together with their stealthy +movements and the hour of midnight, created an uncanny atmosphere in +the room, and for the first time in her life Ethel began to understand +what nerves mean. Never in her life had her pulses jumped and throbbed +as they were doing now. She controlled her inclination to scream and +from under her pillow watched the men. + +They examined the room and one of them approached the toilette table +and began to transfer the jewels and silver ornaments which lay upon it +to a capacious bag. The other took a big cigar out of his pocket and +lit it. Then he stepped to Mrs. C.'s side and began to puff the smoke +into her face. She was sleeping upon her back and though she at first +stirred uneasily she soon seemed to sink into a deeper sleep. After +a few minutes by her side, the Chinaman moved round to Ethel's side +of the bed; but seeing that her head was covered by a pillow and that +she was apparently fast asleep, he turned to help his comrade. + +At this moment Mr. C.'s voice sounded in the hall and he came +running upstairs, whistling gaily. The robbers exchanged alarmed +looks and hastily hid themselves and their bag of booty behind a large +almirah. Charlie opened the door and came into the room, saying "Alice, +where are you?" Approaching the bed he said "What, asleep!" and bent +over his wife. But she was in a deep slumber and oblivious of her +husband's presence. He noticed Ethel's form on the opposite side of +the bed and, walking gently round, touched her arm and whispered: +"Are you asleep too?" + +She lifted the pillow, stretched her arms, and then sat up on the +bed. He noticed her evening dress and was explaining his late arrival +when she jumped up crossly from the bed and saying, "Look at your wife, +is she not looking ghastly?" went out of the room. Charlie returned to +his wife's side and looked closely at her. Her face seemed strangely +pallid and her hands were cold. He endeavoured to wake her and was +still trying to rouse her when Ethel returned to the room followed +by several of the servants, who looked excited. + +In answer to his question, "What is wrong with Alice?" Ethel said +"There are two thieves hidden behind the almirah. Let the servants help +you to secure them and then you will know what is wrong with Alice." + +The two Chinamen were soon routed out from behind the almirah, +captured and handed over to the police. A doctor was summoned and +Alice was brought out of the stupor, she had been thrown into by the +fumes of opium smoke. + + + +An Unfaithful Servant. + +A rich zemindar named Bose lived in Lucknow, He had emigrated there +from Bengal, acquired land there, and studied the language until +he could speak Urdu like a Hindustanee. He became so much a native +of Lucknow that, when business took him down to Calcutta, he felt +himself a foreigner and stranger in Bengal. + +His wife was an invalid and, as the years told on her, he +had frequently to take her to Calcutta for medical advice and +treatment. Their only child was a daughter who was the darling of their +household. The second favourite in the family was a boy called Ram, +who though really a servant was treated like a son of the house and +both Mr. and Mrs. Bose were very fond of him. + +When quite a small boy, Ram had been taken into service in the Bose +menagé; and as his parents were both dead and he was remarkably quick +and intelligent, the zemindar took a fatherly interest in the lad and +had him taught to read and write. The teacher thought so highly of +Ram's intellect that he was taught one subject after another by his +indulgent master, and when he grew older, was especially educated +and trained for estate work. When his education was finished he +was appointed to be confidential clerk and cashier, and gradually +grew to know as much of Bose's money affairs as the zemindar did +himself. Whenever the rich man went on his estate, Ram went with +him. At times of collection, Ram had the office of counting the silver +and locking it up in the cash box. Frequently thousands of rupees +passed through his hands in this way, and he alone always knew what +amount of money the cash box contained. + +One year, Bose and the faithful Ram had been round the zemindari, +collecting rents; and, as many who had been in arrears paid up, they +returned with a larger sum of money than usual. This was locked up +in the cash box and Bose told his wife in Ram's hearing that next +day he should deposit it in the bank. The cash box was always kept +at night on a table by the zemindar's bed-side. + +The Boses had a large house in Lucknow and it was nearly always full, +as Mrs. Bose was fond of company and they invariably had a number +of relatives and friends staying with them. Mr. and Mrs. Bose slept +upstairs in a large south room, which opened into another large room +alongside of it. The only furniture in their room was their two beds +and a table which stood between the beds to hold the cash box and +a lantern. + +The night of the zemindar's return, his wife could not sleep. She +had been ill and she counted the hours as the night wore on. The +light of the lantern showed her husband's sleeping form, the naked +sword which always hung at his bedpost, and the bare white-washed +walls of the room. As she lay awake, Mrs. Bose thought she heard a +noise at the door leading into the other room. The noise came again +and she listened intently. Some one opened the door and then shut +it. Mrs. Bose kept still, listened and watched. Some one again opened +and shut the door gently, then again and again. It struck Mrs. Bose +that this was being done to ascertain whether the inmates of the room +were asleep or awake. She continued to keep perfectly still. + +Now the door was pushed wide open and Ram entered, and closed the door +softly behind him. When Mrs. Bose saw him enter, her first thought +was that he was the bearer of some bad news, and she very nearly +asked him what was the matter. But his stealthy movements made her +feign sleep and see what he was about; and as he approached her bed +on tiptoe, she closed her eyes and lay as if peacefully sleeping. He +stood beside the bed apparently watching her. Mrs. Bose's nerves were +tingling with fear, and it took all her powers of self-control to keep +her eyes closed and her breath steady. Just as the effort seemed more +than she could keep up, Ram moved away from her bed. + +Through her eye-lashes she watched him creep noiselessly to the table +and examine the cash box. Then he returned to the side of her bed +and coughed. Mrs. Bose again succeeded in keeping perfectly still +and he moved round to his master's bedside. Here he stood motionless +for some seconds and then unfastened the sword. The zemindar was +sleeping heavily and as he detached the sword Ram smiled to himself +as if everything was very satisfactory. He grasped the sword in his +right hand and made a trial stroke. Then, smiling again, he lifted +the curtain of the zemindar's bed with his left hand. + +Mrs. Bose felt sure that his motive was murder as well as robbery, and +she now shrieked loudly for aid. At the first sound of her voice Ram +dropped the sword and fled from the room. His wife's piercing screams +of "Murder! Help!" woke the zemindar, but by the time he understood +what had taken place Ram had let himself out of the house and was gone. + +When morning came the police were informed and the zemindar offered a +handsome reward for the arrest of Ram; but though the police hunted +in Lucknow and elsewhere and also searched the village where Ram's +relatives lived, no one knew anything of him and he was never again +heard of in Lucknow. + +Some years after, the old zemindar died and one of the last remarks he +made was: "I should like to know what has happened to poor Ram." He +had never forgotten his affection for his old protege, and had quite +forgiven him for his ungratefulness. + + + +PART II + +Tiger Stories + + +The Bearer's Fate + +Mr. Gupta, a Bengali gentleman, was a skilled engineer. The Government +thought highly of him and whenever any work of special difficulty +had to be undertaken, always chose him. + +At one time he was stationed at Hazaribagh. This district is even +now infested with tigers, and in those far-off days these lords of +the jungle roamed far and wide. + +There was then no railway. Travelling was done by palki or by +"push-push"---a box-like carriage on four wheels, in which the +traveller was forced to recline, and which relays of coolies pushed +before them. The roads were often mere tracks through dense forest. + +It happened that Mr. Gupta was ordered to report on some important work +a few miles away. His devoted wife carefully packed his luggage. They +were a happy couple and each short parting was a pain in their lives. A +trustworthy old servant always accompanied his master to camp. But +to-day to his mistress' surprise he begged not to go. + +When Gupta came in, his wife told him of the man's unwillingness to +accompany him. + +"Nonsense!" said Gupta, "he will have to go. What has happened to him?" + +"I think he is ill" the wife excusingly replied, her tender heart +full of the man's wistful face and strange manner. Still she agreed +with her husband and told the bearer, he must go with his master. + +"Forgive me, I have high fever, Ma-ji," he shivered, addressing her +by the honoured name of mother, as is the custom of Indian servants +in an Indian household. + +She turned again to her husband who said: "I know what is in the +poor old fellow's mind. He has an idea he will be killed by a +tiger. However, tell him there is no danger. I am taking a large +number of bearers and he can keep near the palki." + +Mrs. Gupta tried to cheer the servant with this information but he +wailed: "Ma-ji, I am afraid. Surely a tiger will kill me to-night." + +"Do not fear," consoled the kind lady. "Your master will take good +care of you." "Go you must," she continued in a firm tone. "There is +no one except you who knows his ways and can see to his comfort. Now +get ready quickly." + +"Oh, Ma-ji," he sobbed like a child, "I obey, but my heart is heavy." + +Mr. Gupta had to travel through the night. After an early dinner he +started, attended by many palki-bearers and the old servant. The moon +rose bright and glorious and bathed the picturesque country in soft +radiance. The silence of the forest was broken only by the rhythmic +cries of the bearers and the pat-pat of their feet. The first stream +was reached and the bearers asked for a halt. Consent granted, they +went into the stream to drink of the deeper water. The old servant +crouched by the palki. + +"Thirstest not?" kindly asked his master. + +"Babu-ji, I feel nervous. I will stay near you." + +Gupta wondered what might have unstrung the man, and felt sorry for +him. "Come and sit close to me," he said. + +The night was cold and the old bearer, huddled in his blanket, sat +on the edge of the palki door. + +Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a rapid crash +through the dry grass near the palki, and with a thrilling roar a +tiger leapt at the man and dragged him away. The palki shook, and +the bearer's piteous cry "Babu-ji, Babu-ji, I told you" filled the +forest, and echoed and echoed again as the tiger bore him away. Then +all became still. + +Gupta realised what had happened. He lay back sick with horror, and +felt as if he were the guilty one. For many a day the old man's dying +wail rang in his ears. + + + +Through the Roof + +They were laying the railway through the Hazaribagh district, and +in a low-roofed bungalow at Giridih lived the Engineer in charge of +the work. He was a young Englishman and his only recreation in this +dreary place was riding and shooting. + +The coolies lived in frail little mat houses in the same enclosure +as his bungalow. One morning they came to him in a body to tell him +that during the night a tiger had carried off one of their cows. The +next morning another cow was missing, and on the third his servants +awakened him with the news that his Arab pony was gone. + +He loved the little animal. Many a mile had he scoured on its +back. "Stripes" must be punished for this. He would sit up the coming +night and watch. + +Babus, servants and coolies loudly approved. What was life worth with +such nightly happenings? and the lord of the jungle would surely come +again. Had he not discovered a well-filled larder? + +Work over, the young man loaded his gun, and after dinner took up +his position and awaited the enemy. A reliable servant sat up with him. + +The bungalow was raised on piles a few feet from the ground. It had +brick walls but a thatched roof which sloped very low down on all +sides. The wooden windows were closed. Our friend sat at one of them +with the Venetians slightly stretched. The bungalow was dark and still. + +At last a strange odour filled the air and then the heavy breathing of +the tiger was audible. It came and stood just outside the window. The +young fellow noiselessly pointed his gun through the Venetians and +fired. An angry growl told that the tiger was wounded. Then it charged +forward with a furious roar. The Englishman fired again and this +time thought he had finished it. But the animal charged again with +increased rage. After several attempts at the window it leapt for +the roof and succeeded in clutching the eaves and scrambled up. The +terrified servant cried: "Saheb, come into another room". + +"Don't be a fool!" shouted his master, "the tiger can't come through +the roof." + +In their huts the poor coolies heard the shots and the terrible roars +and growls and dared not come to their master's assistance. The tiger +tore and scratched the thatch with all his might and soon made a +hole. "Look! Saheb!" screamed the servant, "he comes through". + +"I have a loaded gun in my hand", the Saheb replied. + +The hole speedily grew larger as the great cat clawed and growled. The +servant could stand it no longer. He bolted into the next room, +shutting the door between. There he shivered and shook till morning, +when he fled to the railway station a couple of miles away and told the +Sahibs there his tale. They got guns and horses and rode over. They +peered through the shutters and saw the tiger in the room. It +soon scented them and charged with a mighty roar. They retreated +without dignity to a safe distance where all stopped. One said, +"I say! we must see what has happened to the poor chap". Another: +"So many of us and loaded guns! We must do something". A third: +"let's get back and kill the beast". + +They went back and fired shot after shot through the shutters +till the animal was killed. Then they broke into the room and found +their luckless comrade dead on the floor, his loaded gun still in his +hand. The tiger must have killed him with a slap of its mighty paw, and +sat on his body all night, but clearly the animal was not a man-eater. + + + +Earning the Reward + +A man-eating tiger was roaming through Hazaribagh station. It had +killed many villagers and had become so daring that it entered the +market-place in broad day-light. + +A poor old tailor on his way home one evening was seized by the +blood-thirsty animal, and his screams for help filled the little +town. The morning light showed traces of the struggle between man +and beast, and where the latter had been dragged from the main road. + +The villagers did puja that night that all might be saved from a like +fate. A few days after, a ploughman and a little boy stood talking +about the tiger. "How do you know that he won't catch you?" asked +the boy. + +The ploughman answered confidently: "I have done puja". Barely had +the words passed his lips than the tiger leapt upon him. The boy was +startled, but not realising his own danger not only did he not run +but also caught up a stick and tried to save his friend. In spite +of his hitting it the animal began to devour the unfortunate man, +snarling threateningly the while. Then the boy threw away the stick +and fled to the village. The news roused the villagers and they +determined to try to rid themselves of their foe. Armed with spears, +sticks and heavy bamboos they followed the boy to the scene of the +tragedy. But the tiger was gone. + +The Government had offered a handsome reward to any one who would +succeed in killing this tiger and now a poor shop-keeper determined +to win it. He knew nothing of shooting but worked up the ambition +of a friend who could shoot and had a couple of guns. Together they +essayed the difficult job. Difficult it was. The tiger seldom returned +to his kill, nor stopped at a kill any length of time, and was known +to have killed three or four victims in one day. + +However they hoped for success. The villagers had been very careful +of late and the tiger had consequently been obliged to go hungry. It +was just possible he might return to the kill. So they got permission +for a mangled body to be left there, and built a machan near it. At +sunset they took up their places and watched. + +At first the pair felt cheerful. A brilliant moon illuminated +the whole country making everything as clear as day. But no tiger +came. And later, as the hours dragged on, their cramped position, +the nearness of a dead body, the silence and mystery of the night, +all got on their nerves, and they wished they had not attempted such +a task. But to leave now would be dangerous. So they did their best +to encourage each other and waited on. + +In the small hours of the night they distinctly heard the tiger coming +and saw a huge black shadow moving stealthily towards their tree. The +animal looked enormous in the uncertain light and each thought the +machan too low and wished himself in his house in the village. Neither +dared to speak or move. + +Not far from the machan was a hillock. The tiger, after stalking +round the tree, went to the corpse, smelled it, and then crossing to +the hillock climbed up and sat himself there. The men felt sure he +could now see them. + +The tiger began to sniff as if he scented them. Then it yawned +and snarled. The men sat fascinated. Presently the great head +turned towards them. The shopman pulled the trigger of the gun he +held. There was a deafening roar and the tiger disappeared from the +hillock. Then all became still. They knew by the roar of pain that he +was hit. Tigers are clever and often feign death when wounded. They +dared not descend. They were not sure that he was killed. At any +moment he might attack their tree. Comrades in enterprise and fear, +they sat gripping each other in the darkness, for the moon had now set. + +The villagers had heard the shot and at day-break came to the +spot. They found the tiger lying dead at the foot of the hillock. The +heroes could barely descend from the machan, so stiff and aching were +their bones. Together they received the plaudits of the village and +shared the Government reward which to them was quite a small fortune. + + + +A Burmese Monster + +Some years ago Government sent an engineer and party to explore and +prospect in the forests of Burma. None returned. Their disappearance +was a mystery. + +The authorities decided to send another party to ascertain the fate +of the first and continue the work. To induce volunteers, a handsome +salary was offered; and at length an Englishman came forward. He +asked for twice the number of native attendants that the first man +had had. Government granted him his request and provided him with +every facility procurable and he started. + +He followed the course taken by his predecessor up a large river. He +travelled in a big boat and his men in smaller ones. Here and there +they came upon traces of the former party. They pushed on. Suddenly +all indications of the missing ones ceased. He felt he had better stop +and investigate. Tents were landed and pitched and the men began to +prepare their evening meal. + +As he sat in his tent reading, he heard loud shouts and some of +his coolies rushed to him. They said that as they were cooking they +saw a great black thing hanging from a tree above them. When they +made a noise it disappeared. It was long and thick and black. The +coolies were frightened out of their wits and refused to remain in +that place. Argument was of no use; so the tents were taken down and +the party moved on. + +Another spot was selected and here they stayed peacefully for some +days. Suddenly a man was missing. Then another and another! Each +disappeared when alone. The coolies were frightened and uneasy. But +this time the Sahib managed to control them. He himself was anxious +and puzzled. + +Next a coolie who had gone to the river to scour vessels after a meal +disappeared. The plates and lotas were scattered about just as if +he had been suddenly seized. The Englishman thought that a crocodile +must have taken him off. + +Soon after this incident the engineer was fishing in the river opposite +to the camp, and he noticed two coolies coming to the river. They +sat down at the ghat and began to scour their vessels. The murmur of +their voices reached him. + +Presently the boatman clutched his arm and pointed to the bank. He +looked. One of the coolies was chasing a huge hairy monster. The +other could not be seen. + +The engineer soon crossed the river and joined the coolie, still in the +chase after the strange creature. As usual, the Saheb carried a loaded +revolver and as he ran he fired several shots at the animal. They +had no effect on it. The beast ran on with heavy lumbering strides, +covering the ground with great rapidity and only once glancing back +over its shoulders with a horrible grin. He could not overtake it and +it disappeared into the thick jungle. Its hair was so long that it +completely covered the man it carried in its powerful arms. It was +some kind of an orang-outang. + +The mystery was now cleared up. The engineer returned. His task +was accomplished. Later he wrote an account of this adventure and +concluded with these words:--"Now when I see a great hairy spider I +tremble! and the remembrance of that monstrous black form returns to +me, and the hideous grin that thrilled me. Never can I forget it." + + + +The Palki and the Tiger + +In a lonely village in the Hazaribagh district the peaceful dwellers +were one evening disturbed by shrill cries of distress. When they +gathered round the house from whence the cries came, they discovered +that a ghastly murder had been committed. The headman of the village +immediately despatched two messengers for the police. These men +started in the dawn and reached the Police outpost just before sunset. + +The Inspector-in-charge was a Bengalee, named Bose, who was a very +intelligent officer and keen on his work. As soon as he received +information of the murder, he ordered one of his staff to arrange for +a push-push (carriage which is partly drawn and partly pushed by men) +and a set of bearers. He quickly put together a few requisites for +the journey, and was soon ready. The night was not far advanced when +the orderly returned with a push-push and eight bearers, and Bose +started off, attended by his cook and body-servant. + +The road lay through a forest. At times the path was so narrow and +rocky that the men could make little progress, and at last they +declared that the road was impassable for a wheeled conveyance, and +that it was necessary for the Inspector to change into a palki. One +of them said that about two miles off the road there was a village, +and that in the village there lived a rich Hindustani merchant who +might lend a palki. Bose was pleased at the suggestion and told the +push-push bearers to take him to the village. They needed no second +bidding, and the Inspector was soon being trundled across the paddy +fields that lay between the village and the road. Arrived there, +he hastened to the merchant's house and asked to see him. + +A handsome up-countryman came out and when, he saw that his visitor +was a gentleman he courteously asked him to enter and be seated. The +Inspector soon explained his necessity for a palki, and the rich man +placed his at the disposal of the police officer. "But Jenab (Sir)," +he said, "tigers are bad in this forest and you have to pass through a +part known to be a favourite haunt of theirs. Have you any fire-arms?" + +"Only my revolver," said Bose "but I must push on and take my +chance." And as the palki now stood ready and the bearers declared +themselves refreshed, he thanked his host for his ready assistance, +bade him farewell and started once again. + +The bearers were full of spirits after their rest at the merchant's +house and for a mile or two travelled at a rapid pace; but the narrow +winding road impeded their progress, and as the night advanced the +eerie sounds of the forest must have got on their nerves. At the +commencement of the journey they had beguiled the march with stories +of tigers and bears met in the forest, but after some hours of travel +they became silent; and beyond the usual directions of the forward +men concerning the road and occasionally a shrill cry to scare away +wild animals, they made no remarks to each other. + +Within the palki, Bose lay fitfully dozing. The night was oppressive +and his thoughts were on the murder and his chances of a successful +capture of the wrong-doer. The road had become wider and level and +the men were going along at a good pace, when suddenly they dropped +the palki to the ground and fled in all directions. Bose shouted: +"What is up? Why have you run away?" No answer greeted his ears but +a strange odour penetrated his nostrils and he knew there was a tiger +in the jungle. He quickly pulled the doors of the palki jamming them +as securely as he could with the ends of his razai (quilt). Then he +tore the strong border off his dhoti (loin cloth) and commenced to +bind the handles of the doors together. He had just finished firmly +lashing together the handles on one side when he heard an ominous +growling. With frantic haste he bound the handles of the opposite doors +together, praying fervently that he might escape the jaws of the tiger. + +The animal continued growling. Evidently the dark bulk of the palki +frightened him. Bose sat inside, huddled in a heap and breathless. The +tiger, re-assured by the stillness of the object before him, ceased +growling; and presently, the soft thud of his feet and his sniffing +round the palki told the trembling man within that 'Stripes' was +making an investigation. + +Now a mighty roar shook the jungles and Bose realised that the tiger +had leapt upon the roof of the palki and was scratching furiously at +it. Bose clutched the handles of the doors and held on to them with the +grip of despair. The tiger scratched and growled and finally bounded +off the top and began a vigorous assault upon the side. The palki +toppled over on to its other side. Poor Bose congratulated himself +that now one of the doors rested upon Mother Earth and he could give +his whole energy to defending the other. He gripped the handles with +renewed determination and waited. + +The tiger had sustained a shock at seeing the unknown monster he +was tackling roll over, and for a time satisfied himself by growling +savagely. But as the monster lay still "Stripes" tried the experiment +of a sharp blow with his paw. The palki rested on uneven ground and +the blow made it rock. The tiger waited awhile; and when the rocking +had subsided administered another stroke. The palki rocked again. The +situation now developed into a game between the huge cat and the +palki. When he slapped the palki rocked; and when the palki ceased +vibrating the tiger slapped again. Inside the palki, the Inspector +held on to the handles of the door and prayed for deliverance. + +At last the tiger, wearied of the game and purring loudly, walked +away. Bose breathed more freely but knew not if the danger was +past. There he lay gripping the handles of the door and wishing for +daylight. At last the dawn broke and with the first rays of light +courage returned to the bearers and servants, who were hiding in +the branches of the surrounding trees. They called to each other, +expressing anxiety as to their master's fate. Finally, as the daylight +grew stronger they encouraged each other to descend and approach +the palki. + +As they examined it with wonder some very cutting remarks from within +assured them of their master's existence, and with many apologies +for the abrupt way in which they had abandoned him they righted the +palki and assisted him out. + +The journey was soon resumed and Bose had the satisfaction of arresting +the murderer in spite of his ill-timed adventure and forced delay. + + + +An Assam Adventure + +Some years ago, an English baron came out to India to enjoy some +tiger shooting. He received invitations to many Native States, and was +having a right royal time. In the course of his wanderings he came to +Assam. In those days, the jungles of Assam swarmed with tigers but a +"man-eater" was very rarely known there. + +Sir M. was in a small camp with just two or three other guns, and all +were hopeful of "bagging" a tiger, for the roaring of the lords of the +jungle could be heard almost every night. The tents had been pitched +on the bank of a river and all round the camp and on the opposite +bank was heavy jungle. Wild animals abounded in these jungles and the +camp servants did not appreciate the site. No sooner had the Sahebs +finished their dinner than the servants disappeared into their tents, +and securing themselves within, as strongly as they could, devoutly +hoped that the morning light would find them still alive and unharmed. + +One evening Sir M. retired to his own tent immediately after dinner. He +was very tired but as he was not sleepy, he made himself comfortable +and settled down on a long-sleeved chair with a book. His tent was +a small one, with a camp cot, a couple of chairs and a table. On the +table stood a reading lamp. M. was soon absorbed in his book and did +not notice how the hours fled. The camp became quiet and still. It +was a dark close night and the door of his tent stood open, for he +was a lover of air. He had read on for some time when his attention +was drawn to a movement of his tent wall. It seemed to him as if +some one or something was rubbing along the side. He put down his +book and got on to his feet to see what it could be. As he was about +to step forward the head of a tiger loomed in the doorway, the eyes +gleaming brightly. Sir M. stood motionless with surprise and "Stripes" +stepped into the tent. He was a fine specimen of a Royal Bengal tiger, +and M. forgot everything in his admiration of the noble animal. + +The table with the lamp upon it stood between Sir M. and the tiger, +and each stood on either side of it gazing at each other. As the silent +seconds passed, Sir M. realized that he was in danger and bethought +him of his rifle which was almost within reach of his hand; but he +dared not move and so continued gazing steadfastly at his visitor. The +tiger too stood, surveying his vis-a-vis and then began to move round +the table. The lamp either attracted or annoyed him and he raised +his paw to the table. The weight of the huge paw tilted the table, +the lamp toppled and fell with a crash. The terrified tiger gave a +mighty roar, turned tail and fled. + +The camp was aroused. Everyone shouted and rushed out into the night, +armed with some weapon or other. Sir M. related to his brother guns +what had happened and they all enjoyed a good laugh and rather envied +him for the fine sight he had of such a superb specimen of the kings +of the jungle. + + + +A Thrilling Story + +One evening, in Assam, a young Englishman was driving along a lonely +jungle road. He wished to visit a neighbouring Saheb; and though his +servants had warned him that tigers had been frequently seen on that +particular road, he had laughed at their fears and told them that +the only tiger to be feared was a "man-eater", and that there were no +"man-eating" tigers about that district. As usual in the mofussil of +India, he was going out to dine and sleep, and his bearer had put up +his clothes and his suit case was stowed into the dog-cart. + +The road was a good one and considerably wide, for it was the main +thoroughfare in the district and along it tea, jute and all other +agricultural products were transported to the river for export to other +districts of India and also to Europe. Nevertheless it was bordered +on either side by dense jungle, and there were few villages in its +vicinity. After sunset it was a road little frequented by villagers +and it had the reputation of being tiger-haunted. + +There was no moon and, as B. had not started much before sunset, +darkness soon overtook him on the road. As he had no syce with him +he got down to light the trap-lamps and jumped in and drove on again +very cheerily. He was not far from where he must turn off the main +road to the narrow one leading to his friend's estate, when the pony +suddenly took fright at something and bolted. At first B. tried to +pull the animal up; but its erect ears and wild snorting showed him +that there was cause for alarm. He looked over his shoulder and in +the dim starlight discerned the bulk of some animal in pursuit of +them. An eerie feeling came over him and he wondered what was going +to happen. He sat tight in his seat and let the pony race on. The +chase continued and the pony began to show signs of collapse. It was +evidently being overcome by fear and, in spite of all B.'s urging, +could not keep up the pace, and the pursuing animal gained upon +them. B. had just determined to leap from the cart when the pony +tripped and fell and B. was shot out of the cart. He fell into the +long grass on the side of the road, and had barely collected himself +when a dark form sprang upon the pony. + +The poor animal neighed with fear but kicked and fought its +foe. B. rolled down the side of the road and began to crawl away +through the jungle as fast as he could. Long grass and thorny brambles +grew on either side of the road and as it was the dry season every +movement of his made a crackling and rustling; and often he fancied +he heard an animal in pursuit of him, or he would imagine he was +about to meet one coming through the jungle towards him. He pressed +on as fast as he could, sometimes crawling and sometimes walking, +and at last he saw the glimmer of lights and came to some huts. He +shouted to the inmates who came to his assistance. + +When they discovered a Saheb in such a plight they were full of +concern, helped him to their huts, gave him hot milk to drink and +washed his wounds. His clothes were torn and his hands and knees +bleeding from his flight through the thorny jungle. The sympathising +villagers emptied a hut for him to rest in, and when morning came +escorted him to the scene of his mishap. + +The mangled remains of his poor pony told him that the wild animal +had been a very famished tiger. B. returned to his own bungalow a +wiser man, and told his servants that, had he taken their advice, he +would not have suffered such an adventure or the loss of his pony. He +rewarded the villagers for their kindness and hospitality and for a +long time his escape was the talk of the district. + + + +A Cachar Tiger + +In the province of Assam lies a fertile and picturesque valley called +Cachar. Shut in on north, south and east by lofty hills, this valley +remained hidden for centuries and was never conquered by any of the +Mahommedan rulers of India. + +Here a race of aboriginal kings held sway, and it was the East India +Company who first became masters of this hilly corner of Bengal. In +1830, the last of the old Cachari kings died without heir, and +"Company Bahadoor" took possession of the little kingdom. + +In 1855, the discovery of the tea-plant, growing wild in the jungles, +opened out a new industry, and soon the low-lying hills, knolls and +undulating plains of the little valley became gradually clear of +jungle, and covered instead with row after row of carefully-kept and +trim tea bushes. To-day acres upon acres of tea are grown in Cachar; +and the inland steamers, which ply all through the rainy season up +and down the wide-rolling stream of the river Barak, bring down for +export millions of pounds of tea for the "cheering cup". + +Cachar is rich in forests, and tigers and other wild animals are there +in plenty. During the monsoon the jungle animals retreat to the higher +levels of the forest-clad hills. But when the rains abate they begin +to gradually descend; and when the great "hoars" or fenlands dry up +at the approach of the cold season, numerous tigers take up their +winter haunts in the patches of jungle, which grow here and there in +the marsh lands, and in the forests which often surround or separate +the tea gardens. + +It was cold-weather time about forty years ago, and four planters +sat talking after dinner in the Manager's bungalow on a tea garden +in Cachar. We will call them M., B., C. and H. + +The bungalow, like many bungalows in tea districts, stood on a +high hill, the steep sides of which had been terraced and planted +with tea. On adjacent but lower hills stood the factory and coolie +lines. Everything was quiet and lay wrapped in a heavy fog. + +In the verandah near the steps sat the bungalow chowkidar +(watchman). The charity of the Tea Company had provided him and his +fellow-coolies with blankets. And he wore his in the usual pachim +(North-West Provinces) style: one end of the blanket is pleated and +tied closely with a piece of string, the short part above the cord +forming a tuft. The wearer pulls the pleated end of the blanket over +his head, the tuft resting on his crown. The sides of the blanket are +drawn round the body, and thus the blanket is made to form both a hood +and a cloak, in which the wearer hugs himself against the inclemency +of the weather. + +The chowkidar sat on his mat huddled up in his blanket, droning one +of the time-honoured bhajans (hymns) of India. + +Presently he disappeared and, next, piercing yells rent the mist-laden +atmosphere. The four Sahebs were in the verandah in a trice, and soon +discovered the chowkidar returning to the verandah, visibly shaken +and without his blanket. + +"What is the matter, and who shouted?" asked the Manager. + +"Saheb," the chowkidar replied in a quavering voice "a tiger sprang +on me and caught the knot of my blanket." + +"Here!" interrupted the four Englishmen incredulously. + +"Yes, Huzoor (Your Honour), as I sat here against this post the tiger +came, seized the knot of my blanket and began to pull. Like lightning +I made my plan. I grasped with a strong tight hold the sides of the +blanket and holding myself together like a ball I let Lord Tiger +pull. He dragged me to the edge of the tila (hill). There I suddenly +let go the blanket and shouted with all my might. The tiger fell over, +down the hill, and is gone." + +Sure enough, there were the foot-marks of the tiger, the mark of +the drag, and the signs of where "Stripes" had slipped over and down +the terrace. + +The tiger had been harrying the coolies for some time and a rumour +had got about that he was a man-eater. It was pretty certain that he +would come again the next night; so the planters determined to sit +up and shoot him. + +On the following night after dinner M. B. C. and H. took their +positions on the verandah. Each had his loaded gun and all waited +patiently for the tiger. Time passed. It was weary work and they dozed. + +M.'s dog had wandered off to the kitchen as usual after dinner. After +some time it returned hurriedly and ran up the steps of the verandah, +barking in a frightened manner. The dog's barking woke the four +men. B. sat first near the steps and H. not far from him in a +dining-room chair. + +The dog ran into the dining-room and hid himself under the table and +everything again became quiet, and the men waited. Suddenly a hoarse +cry paralysed three of them. "He's on me. Shoot." + +The tiger had come up on to the verandah and springing at B. caught him +by the arm. Then, releasing the arm, he made a spring at his victim's +throat. B. was instantly on his feet and, as the tiger essayed his +throat, he rammed his clenched fist into the animal's mouth. The +tiger shook the man's fist out of its mouth and made another attempt +to reach his throat. B. repeated his manoeuvre. This happened three +or four times. + +In the meantime the other three men dared not shoot for fear of missing +the ferocious cat and killing their comrade. H. had the presence of +mind to swiftly fix his bayonet, and, rushing towards the tiger, he +thrust it in the animal's side, firing as he did so. The tiger fell +backwards off the verandah mortally wounded, but to the amazement +of the Sahebs struggled tip and made another attempt to get at B. He +was however too badly wounded and fell back dead. + +B.'s hand and arm were terribly mauled, and after medical treatment +he had to go home on long leave. + + + +A Maharajah's Adventures + +A Maharajah of Bengal who became a noted sportsman shot his first +tiger when he was quite a small boy. When about twelve years of +age he went out on a shoot one cold weather on his estate. He was +accompanied by some of his relatives, and they encamped in one of +the forest bungalows. This bungalow was just an ordinary Assam house +built on a chang or raised platform. It consisted of a large centre +room with a bedroom on either side and a deep verandah in the front, +where the servants slept at night. Under large trees, some little +distance away, the elephants were chained, and not far off were +stables for the horses. + +The Maharajah shared his room with a friend, a lad about two years +older than himself. One night between ten and eleven o'clock, when +all were in bed and asleep after a tiring day and an early dinner, +the near roaring of a tiger awakened the camp. In a twinkling the +servants had transferred themselves and their bedding from the verandah +into the centre room and securely bolted the door. Roar after roar +sounded through the night, but the young Maharajah slept the healthful +and deep sleep of tired childhood and the mighty voice of the lord +of the jungle did not disturb him. His friend was awakened by the +majestic sound and lay trembling with fear; envying his blissfully +unconscious companion, until the nearness of the tiger broke down +his self-control and, vigorously shaking his bed-fellow, he shouted +in his ear: "Tiger, tiger!" + +The young Maharajah awoke, yawned, stretched and listened. The roaring +had ceased but under the bungalow they could hear the purring of a +tiger as it rubbed itself against a post. The younger and fearless +boy laughed with glee and assured his friend that there was no danger +of the tiger getting into the bungalow, and that on the morrow they +would be easily able to track and shoot it. Soon the sounds of purring +and rubbing gave place to others, and the occupants of the bungalow +realised that more than one tiger played beneath them. Next day in +the jungle near the forest bungalow the party shot a couple of tigers, +a tigress and her cubs. + +In later years the Maharajah became famous for his shoots and many and +varied were his adventures and experiences. One year he was in camp +with a large party and they were out one afternoon after buffaloes. A +fine bull was driven out of a patch of thick jungle and faced the guns +with defiance in his eyes. He was a grand target and the Maharajah's +finger ached to pull his trigger, but courtesy forbade him and he +generously, as always, left the fine prize for his guests. But, one +after another, each missed his shot and the noble bull charged past +into thicker jungle. As the line of guns attempted to follow, one +of them spied a leopard up on a tree looking thoroughly scared. This +animal had evidently been disturbed by the commotion in the forest and +had been so terrified that it had climbed into a tree for shelter; and +there, on a branch, poor "Spots" fell an easy prey to the sportsmen. + +One of the strangest adventures that the Maharajah had was when, +returning to camp one evening, he was informed that one of his largest +and best elephants, "Kennedy", had got stuck in quicksand. In many +parts of Assam there are quicksands and quagmires. This particular one +chanced to be in a nala (stream). The elephant had refused to cross +the partially dried-up stream. Instinct had warned him through the +tip of his trunk that danger lurked there, but his mahout (driver), +anxious to get into camp after a hard day and knowing that across +this stream was a short cut, had forced him. They had advanced but +a yard or two when the huge animal began to sink, and the more he +struggled and strove to extricate himself the deeper he sank. The +Maharajah hastened to the spot as soon as he heard of the catastrophe, +for "Kennedy" was a fine and valuable elephant and a steady one for +shikar (shooting). At the sound of his master's voice poor "Kennedy" +looked towards the bank, and the Maharajah saw that great tears of +anguish were rolling down the poor beast's face as he bellowed in +an agony of fear. The Maharajah directed the men who had gathered +around the scene to fell some saplings, which were conveyed to the +nala by some smaller elephant and pushed into the quagmire towards +"Kennedy". The poor entrapped animal seemed to understand that efforts +were being made to rescue him, and he obeyed his driver's now soothing +voice and held himself still. At last, the combined labours of men +and brother-elephants provided a safe footing of submerged saplings +and branches; and "Kennedy" pulled himself out of the treacherous +sand and was escorted back to the camp with great rejoicings. + +Not long after this "Kennedy" distinguished himself in another way, +but this time evoked the displeasure and not the pity of his good +master. An engineer, named Ashton, had charge of the feilkhana +(elephant stables) and had once severely punished "Kennedy". After +the manner of his kind, the elephant bore the memory of the outrage +in his heart and waited the opportunity to be revenged. One morning +the camp was astir for a shoot. The guests stood ready outside +their tents and the elephants were waiting to carry them into the +forest. Suddenly "Kennedy" charged at Ashton, who stood a little +apart from the group, and flinging him to the ground began to roll +him under his feet. The Maharajah, with wonderful presence of mind, +immediately ordered "Debraj", a larger and more powerful elephant than +"Kennedy" and his rival in the feilkhana, to the rescue. "Debraj's" +mahout ordered him to charge at "Kennedy", and, urged forward with +voice and prong; "Debraj" did so with a good will. When "Kennedy" +saw his ancient enemy charging at him, he forgot his grudge against +Ashton, and, considering that "he who fights and runs away lives to +fight another day", he bolted, with his trunk in the air. Ashton was +picked up from the dust very much shaken by his rolling and fright but, +to the astonishment of every one, in no way injured. + +During one of his shooting expeditions, the Maharajah and his +companions decided one night that they would go out on foot at +the very break of dawn and see the animal world in the jungle; and +they were well rewarded for their adventurous spirit. In a glade +of the forest they had a magnificent sight of a large herd of bison +peacefully grazing in the dewy grass. They could hear tigers and bears +passing back through the jungles to their dens in the deeper forest, +and as the men stood there admiring the grand heads of the bison a +monstrous tiger passed along quite close to one of the party, the +Maharajah's brother-in-law. On the bank of a river they came upon +a nest of young pythons. The guests thought it was a curious mound; +but the Maharajah recognised the reared heads of the young snakes and +told his friends what the heap was. When they came closer, they could +see that the long slimy bodies were all twisted together; and with an +uncanny feeling, the sportsmen watched these serpents uncoil themselves +from each other and glide away and disappear through the grass. + +Once, after a long and fruitless day in the jungles, the Maharajah +decided he would try his luck stalking some deer that he spied on the +opposite side of a narrow strip of jungle. He accordingly left his +elephant and began to creep through the long dry bramble-choked grass +with his rifle in his hand. As he pushed his way through the thick +jungle he fancied he heard an animal breathing and then something +crackled. Intent on the deer before him, he concluded that he had +broken a twig or a branch with the end of his rifle and pushed on. As +he emerged from the thicket on the opposite side from where he had +entered, he came face to face with a group of shepherds. They stared +at him in amazement and then, recognising him as their Maharajah, fell +at his feet in rapturous joy. Accustomed as he was to demonstrations +from his people, their abandon struck him as something unusual, and he +was about to question them when they exclamed: "Hoozoor, Dharmabatar, +(Your Honor, Royal Master,) how did you come in safety through that +jungle?" He smiled at their wonderment and was about to chide them +gently when they continued: "An immense tiger has just slain one of +our cows and dragged it into that very jungle from which Your Honor has +emerged." The Maharajah now understood that the sound he had heard as +he pushed his way through the jungle was the tiger enjoying a feed of +his kill, and he felt thankful that he had not stumbled directly upon +it. Like the keen sportsman he was, he signalled his elephant and, +mounting it, secured the feasting tiger with an easy shot. + +One cold season, the Viceroy was enjoying a shoot on the Maharajah's +estates. One evening, as they were dressing for dinner, there came +through the stillness of the restful air the "twitter" of a tiger. Do +many of my readers know what the "twitter" of a tiger is? It is a sound +the Monarch of the Jungle makes and it is just like the twitter of a +bird;--in fact, some declare it is only the twitter of a bird. Well, +on this particular evening, the tiger must have been passing quite +close to the camp, for his "twitter" was clear and unmistakeable. The +Maharajah, with his usual courtesy, immediately bethought himself of +his guests, and invited Their Excellencies to come out into the open +and listen to the novel sound. They did, and very pleased and proud +they were when they heard the tiger's "twitter" clearly and distinctly +through the gathering shade and stillness of the darkening night. + +The shooting camps were invariably pitched on the bank of a river or +stream. One evening, two of the servants crossed the shallow stream in +front of the camp to enjoy some fishing. They found a suitable place +behind a mound and here they sat quietly watching their lines. The +afternoon hours passed swiftly and the sun was nearing the horizon +when their attention was simultaneously drawn to a sound above their +heads. Looking up, to their horror, they saw an immense tiger just +above them. One of them shivered with terror and, clutching his +companion, said in a hoarse whisper: "Our hour has come." The other +whispered back: "Keep perfectly still and quiet." Breathless, the two +watched the huge tiger descend the bank and pass majestically to the +edge of the water where he stopped to quench his thirst. It seemed to +the two trembling men that it took the Lord of the Jungle fully half +an hour to drink his fill. Then, as slowly and impressively, the tiger +turned from the stream and ascended the bank. When he reached the top +he stood there, gazing before him either as if admiring the scenery +or contemplating a meal off one of the men. The pair scarcely dared to +breathe and wild schemes of taking to their heels to gain the centre of +the stream and swim down the river shot through their brains. At last +the tiger slowly turned away from the river and disappeared into the +forest. Then, after some time, the frightened servants hurried across +the stream back to camp, and told the Maharajah of their terrible +experience. The footprints of the animal corroborated their story +and their asseveration that they had seen a very very big tiger. + +During one of the shoots, the shikaris (native sportsmen) brought news +that a rhino had been seen in a certain jungle. The guests were much +excited and a beat was organised for the next day. The morning dawned +and all set out and were soon posted to their various positions. The +front "stop" guns were on the bank of a river. The Maharajah was in +the beating line. When about half way through the piece of jungle +he noticed that one of his brother guns looked disappointed. He +accordingly asked "What's up?" The guest answered that he thought that +a large animal had broken back. However nothing was discovered and as +it was mid-day a halt for lunch was considered desirable. A spot was +soon selected and the signal given and the lines broke up. Just as +the foremost elephants were about to kneel to permit their riders to +dismount, there arose from the "stop" elephants a cry of "Tiger". In +the jungle, quite close to one of the "stop" guns, a tiger was enjoying +a feed of a wild pig; and as the elephant turned to join the others, +he almost trod on the tiger. In a moment the line was re-organised, +but the surprised tiger, finding itself surrounded by foes, turned +tail and ran down the bank of the river. The stream was nearly dry +and the bed was very shingly, and as the startled tiger picked its +way gingerly across the pebbles and pools of water it looked like a +stranded cat. It had not progressed very far when a well-directed shot +laid it low; and with this unexpected prize the party sat down to lunch +in excellent spirits. As rhino generally fight shy of elephants, they +did not think there was much use continuing the beat after lunch. So +they decided that they should make tracks for home and have general +shooting. General shooting means that there is no beating line. A +long straight line of march is formed, and each gun elephant is in +between the pad or beating elephants. The Maharajah was almost the +last gun in the line. Nearly all were out of the jungle when his keen +and practised eye noticed a small pad elephant jib at something as +they passed through a piece of jungle. "Did your elephant refuse to +come through?" he questioned the mahout of the small elephant. "Yes, +Maharajah, he smelt something in the jungle," the man replied. "Beat +this piece of jungle", the Maharajah quickly ordered the pad elephants +with him. They beat it and drove forth a rhino which fell dead to the +Maharajah's gun. Before His Highness had time to take up his other +rifle, a second galloped out of the jungle and charged straight at +the Maharajah's elephant. The elephant spun round to avoid the furious +onslaught and in the meantime the Maharajah managed to raise his gun +and, getting in his shot in spite of the gyrations of the elephant, +laid out rhino No. 2 in grand style to the applause of his companions. + +Coming back to camp in the dusk one evening, the Maharajah, who had +wonderful eyesight, thought he saw a tiger lying still in an open +field. He raised his gun and whispered to his mahout. As they came +nearer, the tiger--for tiger it was--raised itself to its feet and +prepared to spring at the elephant. Too late! Snap went the Maharajah's +trigger and the royal beast lay dead. + +These are but a few of the shooting adventures of a sportsman-Maharajah +who has gone on the long journey from life to the greater life beyond, +but whose memory lives in the annals of Bengal as a keen and successful +shot. + + + + + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by +Maharanee Sunity Devee + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS *** + +***** This file should be named 10928-0.txt or 10928-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/2/10928/ + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Million Book Project) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/old/10928-0.zip b/old/10928-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..524dfad --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10928-0.zip diff --git a/old/10928-h.zip b/old/10928-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..83d8672 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10928-h.zip diff --git a/old/10928-h/10928-h.htm b/old/10928-h/10928-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a19c197 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10928-h/10928-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3145 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> + +<html lang="en-uk"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by Maharanee Sunity Devee</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + +body +{ +font: 100%/1.2em "Times New Roman", Times, serif; +margin: 1.58em 16%; +text-align: left; +} +/***** Titlepage *****************************************************/ +.titlePage +{ +border: #DDDDDD 2px solid; +margin: 3em 0% 7em 0%; +padding: 5em 10% 6em 10%; +text-align: center; +} +.titlePage .docTitle +{ +line-height: 3.5em; +margin: 2em 0% 2em 0%; +font-weight: bold; +} +.titlePage .docTitle .mainTitle +{ +font-size: 1.8em; +} +.titlePage .docTitle .subTitle, .titlePage .docTitle .seriesTitle, .titlePage .docTitle .volumeTitle +{ +font-size: 1.44em; +} +.titlePage .byline +{ +margin: 2em 0% 2em 0%; +font-size:1.2em; +line-height:1.72em; +} +.titlePage .byline .docAuthor +{ +font-size: 1.2em; +font-weight: bold; +} +.titlePage .figure +{ +margin: 2em 0% 2em 0%; +} +.titlePage .docImprint +{ +margin: 4em 0% 0em 0%; +font-size: 1.2em; +line-height: 1.72em; +} +.titlePage .docImprint .docDate +{ +font-size: 1.2em; +font-weight: bold; +} +/***** End Titlepage *****/ +.transcribernote +{ +background-color:#DDE; +border:black 1px dotted; +color:#000; +font-family:sans-serif; +font-size:80%; +margin:2em 5%; +padding:1em; +} +.advertisment +{ +background-color:#FFFEE0; +border:black 1px dotted; +color:#000; +margin:2em 5%; +padding:1em; +} +.width20 +{ +width: 20%; +} +.width40 +{ +width: 40%; +} +.indextoc +{ +text-align: center; +} +.div0 +{ +padding-top: 5.6em; +} +.div1 +{ +padding-top: 4.8em; +} +.index +{ +font-size: 80%; +} +.div2 +{ +padding-top: 3.6em; +} +.div3, .div4, .div5 +{ +padding-top: 2.4em; +} +.footnotes .body, +.footnotes .div1 +{ +padding: 0; +} +.apparatusnote +{ +text-decoration: none; +} +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, .pseudoh1, .pseudoh2, .pseudoh3, pseudoh4 +{ +clear: both; +font-style: normal; +text-transform: none; +} +h3, .pseudoh3 +{ +font-size:1.2em; +line-height:1.2em; +} +h3.label +{ +font-size:1em; +line-height:1.2em; +margin-bottom:0; +} +h4, pseudoh4 +{ +font-size:1em; +line-height:1.2em; +} +.alignleft +{ +text-align:left; +} +.alignright +{ +text-align:right; +} +.alignblock +{ +text-align:justify; +} +p.tb, hr.tb +{ +margin-top: 1.6em; +margin-bottom: 1.6em; +margin-left: auto; +margin-right: auto; +text-align: center; +} +p.argument, p.note, p.tocArgument +{ +font-size:0.9em; +line-height:1.2em; +text-indent:0; +} +p.argument, p.tocArgument +{ +margin:1.58em 10%; +} +p.tocChapter +{ +margin:1.58em 0%; +} +p.tocSection +{ +margin:0.7em 5%; +} +.epigraph +{ +font-size:0.9em; +line-height:1.2em; +width: 60%; +margin-left: auto; +} +.epigraph span.bibl +{ +display: block; +text-align: right; +} +.trailer +{ +clear: both; +padding-top: 2.4em; +padding-bottom: 1.6em; +} +.figure +{ +margin-left: auto; +margin-right: auto; +} +.floatLeft +{ +float:left; +margin:10px 10px 10px 0; +} +.floatRight +{ +float:right; +margin:10px 0 10px 10px; +} +p.figureHead +{ +font-size:100%; +text-align:center; +} +.figAnnotation +{ +font-size:80%; +position:relative; +margin: 0 auto; /* center this */ +} +.figTopLeft, .figBottomLeft +{ +float: left; +} +.figTop, .figBottom +{ +} +.figTopRight, .figBottomRight +{ +float: right; +} +.figure p +{ +font-size:80%; +margin-top:0; +text-align:center; +} +img +{ +border-width:0; +} +p.smallprint,li.smallprint +{ +color:#666666; +font-size:80%; +} +span.parnum +{ +font-weight: bold; +} +.leftnote +{ +font-size:0.8em; +height:0; +left:1%; +line-height:1.2em; +position:absolute; +text-indent:0; +width:14%; +} +.pagenum +{ +display:inline; +font-size:70%; +font-style:normal; +margin:0; +padding:0; +position:absolute; +right:1%; +text-align:right; +} +a.noteref, a.pseudonoteref +{ +font-size: 80%; +text-decoration: none; +vertical-align: 0.25em; +} +.displayfootnote +{ +display: none; +} +div.footnotes +{ +font-size: 80%; +margin-top: 1em; +padding: 0; +} +hr.fnsep +{ +margin-left: 0; +margin-right: 0; +text-align: left; +width: 25%; +} +p.footnote +{ +margin-bottom: 0.5em; +margin-top: 0.5em; +} +p.footnote .label +{ +float:left; +width:2em; +height:12pt; +display:block; +} +/****** Tables ******/ +td.sum +{ +padding-top: 2px; border-top: solid black 1px; +} +/****** Poetry ******/ +.lgouter +{ +margin-left: auto; +margin-right: auto; +display:table; /* used to make the block shrink to the actual size */ +} +.lg +{ +text-align: left; +} +.lg h4, .lgouter h4 +{ +font-weight: normal; +} +.lg .linenum +{ +color:#777; +font-size:90%; +left:-2.5em; +margin:0; +position:absolute; +text-align:center; +text-indent:0; +top:auto; +width:1.75em; +} +p.line +{ +margin: 0 0% 0 0%; +} +span.hemistich /* invisible text to achieve visual effect of hemistich indentation. */ +{ +color: white; +} +.versenum +{ +font-weight:bold; +} +/***** Drama *****/ +.speaker +{ +font-weight: bold; +margin-bottom: 0.4em; +} +.sp .line +{ +margin: 0 10%; +text-align: left; +} +/***** End Drama *****/ +/* right aligned page number in table of contents */ +.tocPagenum, .flushright +{ +position: absolute; +right: 16%; +top: auto; +} +span.corr +{ +border-bottom:1px dotted red; +} +span.abbr +{ +border-bottom:1px dotted gray; +} +span.measure +{ +border-bottom:1px dotted green; +} +/****** Font Styles and Colors *****/ +.letterspaced +{ +letter-spacing:0.2em; +} +.smallcaps +{ +font-variant:small-caps; +} +.caps +{ +text-transform:uppercase; +} +/* overline is actually a bit too high; overtilde is approximated with overline */ +.overline, .overtilde +{ +text-decoration: overline; +} +.rm +{ +font-style: normal; +} +.red +{ +color: red; +} +/***** End Font Styles and Colors *****/ +hr +{ +clear:both; +height:1px; +margin-left:auto; +margin-right:auto; +margin-top:1em; +text-align:center; +width:45%; +} +.aligncenter, div.figure +{ +text-align:center; +} +h1, h2 +{ +font-size:1.44em; +line-height:1.5em; +} +h1.label, h2.label +{ +font-size:1.2em; +line-height:1.2em; +margin-bottom:0; +} +h5, h6 +{ +font-size:1em; +font-style:italic; +line-height:1em; +} +p,p.initial +{ +text-indent:0; +} +p.firstlinecaps:first-line +{ +text-transform: uppercase; +} +p.dropcap:first-letter +{ +float: left; +clear: left; +margin: 0em 0.05em 0 0; +padding: 0px; +line-height: 0.8em; +font-size: 420%; +vertical-align:super; +} +.lg +{ +padding: .5em 0% .5em 0%; +} +p.quote,div.blockquote,div.argument +{ +font-size:0.9em; +line-height:1.2em; +margin:1.58em 5%; +} +.pagenum a, a.noteref:hover, a.hidden:hover, a.hidden +{ +text-decoration:none; +} +ul { list-style-type: none; } +.castlist, .castitem { list-style-type: none; } +/***** External Links *****/ +.pglink +{ +background: url(images/book.png) center right no-repeat; +padding-right: 18px; +} +.exlink +{ +background: url(images/external.png) center right no-repeat; +padding-right: 13px; +} +.pglink:hover +{ +background-color: #DCFFDC; +} +.catlink:hover +{ +background-color: #FFFFDC; +} +.exlink:hover +{ +background-color: #FFDCDC; +} +body +{ +background: #FFFFFF; +font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; +} +body, a.hidden +{ +color: black; +} +.titlePage +{ +color: #001FA4; +font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; +} +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, .pseudoh1, .pseudoh2, .pseudoh3, .pseudoh4 +{ +color: #001FA4; +font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; +} +p.byline +{ +font-style: italic; +margin-bottom: 2em; +} +.figureHead, .noteref, .pseudonoteref, span.leftnote, p.legend, .versenum, .stage +{ +color: #001FA4; +} +.rightnote, .pagenum, .linenum, .pagenum a +{ +color: #AAAAAA; +} +a.hidden:hover, a.noteref:hover +{ +color: red; +} +p.dropcap:first-letter +{ +color: #001FA4; +font-weight: bold; +} +sub, sup +{ +line-height: 0; +} +.pagenum, .linenum +{ +speak: none; +} +.xd20e93 +{ +text-align:center; +} +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by Maharanee Sunity Devee + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Bengal Dacoits and Tigers + +Author: Maharanee Sunity Devee + +Release Date: January 18, 2010 [EBook #10928] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS *** + + + + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Million Book Project) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class="front"> +<div class="titlePage"> +<div class="docTitle"> +<div class="mainTitle">Bengal Dacoits and Tigers</div> +</div> +<div class="byline">by<br> +<span class="docAuthor">Maharanee Sunity Devee, C.I.</span><span class= +"docAuthor"><br> +of Cooch Behar</span></div> +<div class="docImprint">Calcutta:<br> +Thacker, Spink & Co.<br> +<span class="docDate">1916</span></div> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e91" href="#xd20e91" name= +"xd20e91">3</a>]</span></p> +<div class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<p class="xd20e93">Printed by N. Mukherjee, B.A., at the Art Press, 1, +Wellington Square, Calcutta <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e95" +href="#xd20e95" name="xd20e95">i</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="toc" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Contents</h2> +<p><i>Dacoit Stories</i></p> +<ul> +<li><a href="#ch01">The Jhee’s Discovery</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch02">Trapped by a Cobra</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch03">Saved by a Bear</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch04">Raghu Dacoit</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch05">Girl as Kali-Ma</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch06">The Deputy Magistrate</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch07">All for Nothing</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch08">A Punjabee Dacoit</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch09">A Child’s Experience</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch10">Two Chinese Dacoits</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch11">An Unfaithful Servant</a></li> +</ul> +<p><i>Tiger Stories</i></p> +<ul> +<li><a href="#ch12">The Bearer’s Fate</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch13">Through the Roof</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch14">Earning the Reward</a><span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e152" href="#xd20e152" name="xd20e152">ii</a>]</span></li> +<li><a href="#ch15">A Burmese Monster</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch16">The Palki and the Tiger</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch17">An Assam Adventure</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch18">A Thrilling Story</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch19">A Cachar Tiger</a></li> +<li><a href="#ch20">A Maharajah’s Adventures</a></li> +</ul> +</div> +</div> +<div class="body"> +<div class="div0"> +<h2>Dacoit Stories</h2> +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e177" href="#xd20e177" name= +"xd20e177">1</a>]</span> +<div id="ch01" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>The Jhee’s Discovery</h2> +<p>It was the month of <i>Jaishta</i> (May-June) in Bengal, and the +earth languished under the scorching rays of the sun and sent up a +voiceless prayer to the Rain God to come soon and refresh the fields +and jungles with the welcome <i>“barsat”</i> (rainy +season).</p> +<p>Yet, in spite of the intense heat, a young and delicately nurtured +Bengali lady was travelling. She was on her way to pay a visit to her +parents-in-law, for after marriage the bride returns to her +childhood’s home and remains there, paying visits from time to +time to her husband’s home until the day comes when she goes to +live there.</p> +<p>It is a Bengali custom that ladies, especially young ladies, must +always wear their jewellery, even when travelling. Arms, wrists, neck +and ankles, bare of jewels, are a sign of widowhood or dire poverty. +Out young heroine was accordingly adorned with jewels and she was also +richly attired. Was she not the daughter of a wealthy man and going to +visit her mother-in-law? So her mother had lovingly dressed her in an +exquisite gold-embroidered <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e193" +href="#xd20e193" name="xd20e193">2</a>]</span>Benares silk <i>saree</i> +of finest texture and superb workmanship, and the jewellery, which +adorned her graceful arms, neck and ankles, was in keeping with the +richness of her costume.</p> +<p>Twelve bearers took turns in carrying the covered palanquin or +<i>palki</i> in which she travelled. They had been in her +father’s service for many years and were known, to be +trustworthy. A faithful <i>jhee</i> (maid) accompanied her, sometimes +walking beside the <i>palki</i> and at other times sitting within, to +fan her young mistress and help to enliven the weary journey with tales +of former travels. Two men-servants, whom in Bengal we call +<i>durwans</i> and who are permitted to bear arms in defence of their +masters’ goods, completed the party. One of them walked on either +side of the <i>palanquin</i> and each carried a naked sword in his +hand. These two men were tried and trusted retainers of the young +lady’s father, and were prepared to defend their master’s +daughter even at the cost of their lives.</p> +<p>The route lay through a lonely country district with stretches of +rice-fields scattered between, and villages nestling here and there +among groves of trees. At. one of these villages the party halted +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e217" href="#xd20e217" name= +"xd20e217">3</a>]</span>awhile for rest and refreshment, and then on +again in the fierce heat of a close Indian day.</p> +<p>Thus many miles had been passed; and the evening shades were +beginning to cool the wearisome day, when the travellers drew near to a +group of trees not far from a small tank (artificial lake). The +<i>palki</i>-bearers sighted this ideal resting-place and asked the +<i>jhee</i> to inform their young mistress of it, and beseech that they +might stop there and refresh themselves with a draught of water, after +which they would be able to travel still faster,</p> +<p>A gracious consent was readily given by the fair one within the +<i>palanquin</i>. She had found the heat almost beyond endurance, and +pitied the bearers who had the weight of her <i>palki</i> and herself +added to their sufferings.</p> +<p>The <i>palanquin</i> was gently set down under a large and shady +tree, and the <i>durwans</i> respectfully withdrew a little distance to +permit of the <i>jhee</i> raising the covering, so that their kind +mistress might also enjoy the grateful shade and coolness of the +grove.</p> +<p>The spot was lonely and their responsibility great, so the men +decided among themselves that they should divide into two parties. Six +should <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e248" href="#xd20e248" name= +"xd20e248">4</a>]</span>remain with the guard to protect their fair +charge in case of any untoward happening while the other six refreshed +themselves at the lake.</p> +<p>This plan was no sooner agreed upon than the first six trooped off +gleefully towards the tank. The others stretched themselves in the +shade and relaxed their limbs in the interval of waiting.</p> +<p>Time passed unheeded till it dawned upon some of those who waited +that they still thirsted and that the first six seemed too long away. +They asked the <i>jhee</i> to obtain leave for them to go and hurry the +others up and refresh themselves at the same time, so that the journey +might soon be resumed as the evening sun was nearing the horizon, and +if they delayed further night would overtake them. The young lady gave +the desired permission and the second six soon disappeared towards the +tank. They too were long away!</p> +<p>The <i>jhee</i> felt uneasy but kept her fears to herself. Suddenly +she too disappeared. Without a word to her mistress she had decided to +see what the bearers were doing at the tank. Climbing up a tree, she +crept along an overhanging branch and a dreadful sight met her +horrified gaze. Some of the bearers lay dead in the shallow water and +the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e263" href="#xd20e263" name= +"xd20e263">5</a>]</span>surviving ones were fighting desperately for +their lives with a small band of outlaws.</p> +<p>Rushing back to the <i>palki</i> with the utmost speed and +regardless of onlookers, she flung wide the door, screaming +frantically, “Dacoits! dacoits! run, <i>didi</i> (elder sister), +run. With these eyes of mine I saw them. I climbed a tree and saw them. +Some of our bearers lie dead and they are killing the others. Fly! fly +for your life!” With these words she turned and led the way with +swiftness impelled by fear.</p> +<p>The lonely occupant of the <i>palanquin</i> received the awful +tidings with horror and dismay. Often had she heard tales of dacoits +and their ruthless deeds. For a fleeting instant the thought, that she +must fall a victim to such desperados, paralysed her with fear; but +only for an instant. Her woman’s wit and ingenuity moved her to +action. Quickly she divested herself of her heavy jewelled anklets. How +could she run thus weighted? and might not their value satisfy the +greed of the highwaymen? Flinging them down in the <i>palanquin</i>, +she hastily closed the doors and dropped the covering over its sides. +Let them think she was within. The search of the <i>palki</i> would +delay them awhile. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e284" href= +"#xd20e284" name="xd20e284">6</a>]</span></p> +<p>Then tucking up her rich <i>satee</i> she too started to run for her +life. She had gone but a few steps when the voices of the two +<i>durwans</i> arrested her. They had heard the <i>jhee’s</i> +distracted cry, and their only thought was for their young +mistress.</p> +<p><i>“Didi,”</i> they said, addressing her affectionately +and respectfully by the endearing name of sister, which is a custom +permitted in Bengal to the servants of every household. In the home of +her girlhood a girl is addressed as <i>“didi”</i> (sister) +and in her father-in-law’s house as <i>“bow”</i> +(son’s wife). Sons of the family are addressed as +<i>“dada”</i> (brother, strictly elder brother) and +sons-in-law as <i>“jamai”.</i></p> +<p>“<i>Didi,</i> fear not! As long as there is breath in these +bodies we will defend you. If the dacoits overtake us, we will guard +you. No harm shall come to you.”</p> +<p>Encouraged by their presence and words, the girl made all possible +speed. But her delicate feet were unused to rough, hard roads, and, +despite her will and brave efforts, she tripped and stumbled +continually. In Bengal, in the hot dry weather, the country roads are +difficult to traverse. The deep ruts of the rainy season dry up and the +once muddy <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e319" href="#xd20e319" +name="xd20e319">7</a>]</span>earth crumbles into thick heavy dust, into +which the feet of the wayfarers sink. Fast travelling is difficult even +for those who are used to journeying, so the poor young lady made +little headway and was soon overtaken by her pursuers. They had not +been long in discovering her flight and were soon racing after her from +under the tree. As she ran she heard their shouts, and then realised +that they had caught up with her guard who were resisting them.</p> +<p>The poor girl ran on and on alone, and presently saw a tiny hamlet +hidden among some trees. She made for this as fast as her trembling +limbs could carry her and rushed breathlessly into a small red +brick-house, the door of which stood slightly ajar, crying: “Shut +the door! Dacoits are following me!” Then, overcome with fear and +exhaustion, she sank unconscious upon the floor.</p> +<p>The ladies of the little household ran forward on hearing her cry +and shut the door promptly. Dacoits were known and feared everywhere. +Then they tenderly ministered to the stranger. As soon as she recovered +her senses, she related to them what had befallen her and implored +their protection.</p> +<p>The master of the house immediately despatched <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e327" href="#xd20e327" name= +"xd20e327">8</a>]</span>a messenger to a distant police outpost for +aid. Soothed and comforted, the girl eagerly hoped and prayed for the +arrival of her attendants.</p> +<p>After some time, word was brought in that a <i>palki</i> was +approaching. Even in the dark the approach of a <i>palki</i> is made +known by the rhythmic cries of the bearers. Soon it arrived in front of +the red brick-house and the bearers, halting, asked loudly if a strange +lady, richly attired and decked with jewels, was within. From an upper +window the master of the house answered them, while the girl and her +kindly hostess listened anxiously downstairs. The pseudo +<i>palki</i>-bearers next informed the listeners that they were the +servants of a very wealthy man and had been conveying his daughter to +her parents-in-law’s house.</p> +<p>“But” they boldly declared, “our master’s +daughter is such a troublesome girl. She causes us much anxiety +whenever she is sent to visit her mother-in-law. She is so unwilling to +go that it is with great difficulty that we get her safely +there.”</p> +<p>The anxious listeners within felt sure these were the dacoits and +longed for the arrival of the police. The disguised thieves persisted +in their questioning for some time in spite of the house <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e345" href="#xd20e345" name= +"xd20e345">9</a>]</span>master’s repeated advice that they had +better search elsewhere. At last they departed carrying the +<i>palki</i> with them. And the dwellers in the red brick-house +breathed more freely. But not for long.</p> +<p>The village was a tiny one and the pretended bearers soon returned +from their search. Planting the <i>palki</i> in the doorway, they +shouted: “We know for certain that our mistress is hiding +somewhere. We feel sure she is in your house. Here we will sit till you +send her forth.”</p> +<p>On hearing these words the poor pursued girl fell at the feet of her +host, calling herself his daughter and addressing him as +“father”, and implored of him not to give her up to these +awful dacoits. The good man assured her of his protection while his +wife raised her from the floor, and, embracing her, said they would all +sooner suffer death than give her up.</p> +<p>The trying hours dragged on till past midnight. Then the dacoits +announced that the lady must be produced or they would force an +entrance into the house. No reply was given to this ultimatum. The +highwaymen waited awhile and then assailed the door with heavy blows. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e359" href="#xd20e359" name= +"xd20e359">10</a>]</span></p> +<p>The distraught girl besought her hostess to take her jewels and hand +them out to the burglars and thus ensure peace and safety for all. The +mistress of the house declared this would not satisfy the ruffians and +once more assured her guest that, whatever happened, they would strive +to protect her.</p> +<p>Presently the door gave way and, with coarse oaths and triumphant +threats, the dacoits entered. But unknown to them,—so busy had +they been hammering and swearing,—the police had arrived and now +followed in on their heels. The dacoits were all captured and confessed +their guilt as to the murder of the <i>palki</i>-bearers and the +probable death of the two <i>durwans</i>, who, they averred, had fought +like tigers.</p> +<p>The bodies of these two devoted servants were found, all battered +and bruised, on the roadside and were given honourable cremation by +their master, whose daughter they had saved by their devotion.</p> +<p>The <i>jhee</i> was found close to the spot, hiding among the +branches of a tree. She had witnessed the fight between the +<i>durwans</i> and dacoits and the flight and pursuit of her mistress. +When both reached home again, the <i>jhee</i> filled up dull hours with +vivid accounts of their adventure. <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e383" href="#xd20e383" name="xd20e383">11</a>]</span> This little +story is a true one and shows how difficult and dangerous travel was in +the old days in Bengal. Travelling by <i>palki</i> is now in many parts +a thing of the past, for the whole Province is being linked together by +a network of railways. Good roads and better police arrangements also +lessen the terrors of travelling in places where railways are still +wanting. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e389" href="#xd20e389" name= +"xd20e389">12</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch02" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Trapped by a Cobra</h2> +<p>Not many years ago a young married lady was journeying alone.</p> +<p>It is not customary in India for young women, even if married, to go +out by themselves. The <i>purdah</i> system unfits them for +independence. Even when going for a short distance by <i>palanquin</i> +or just for a carriage drive, a chaperon is necessary.</p> +<p>Yet occasions arise when it is imperative that they should journey, +but no suitable escort can be found or spared for the purpose. They are +then obliged to go with servants. It may seem strange that young ladies +should be permitted to travel alone with servants. But readers who know +India will not be surprised, for Indians treat their servants after the +patriarchal system, especially those who have served the family for +generations. Even hired attendants, like the driver in this story, are +thoroughly trusted when known to the family.</p> +<p>The young lady was on her way to visit her father and mother. Indian +parents-in-law cannot visit at the parental home of their +daughter-in-law. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e407" href= +"#xd20e407" name="xd20e407">13</a>]</span>Therefore <i>bow-ma</i> +journeyed alone with her little son, a child of about five years of +age.</p> +<p>The distance was not a long one, only from Calcutta to Durgapore, a +village a few miles away from the city. So a hackney-carriage was hired +with a driver who had often before been employed by her father-in-law, +and everyone felt assured <i>bow-ma</i> would reach her destination +safely.</p> +<p>Her mother-in-law saw her into the carriage. Her little boy was +lifted up beside her, and, with many injunctions to drive carefully and +with speed ringing in his ears, the driver whipped up his horses and +they were off.</p> +<p><i>Bow-ma</i> knew the road well. Often had she journeyed to and fro +in the early years of her married life, and even after the birth of her +little son her visits to her parents had been frequent.</p> +<p>The carriage was close and her heavy silken <i>saree</i> hot to +wear, so she opened the venetians and lazily watched the familiar +landmarks as they passed. She had started early so that the journey +should be accomplished in day-light, and still they did not reach home. +She noted the various trees and hedges and was puzzled. Surely, the +road seemed different. The sun, a ball of golden fire, <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e428" href="#xd20e428" name= +"xd20e428">14</a>]</span>sank to rest in a bed of many-tinted clouds, +and still they had not arrived. <i>Bow-ma</i> felt strangely +anxious.</p> +<p>The carriage suddenly swerved. To her dismay she saw they had turned +into a rough and untravelled road with paddy-fields on either side. The +place seemed lonely. It was now rapidly growing dark, for in India +after sun-set Night does not long delay her coming. A presentiment of +evil clutched <i>bow-ma’s</i> heart. She whispered to her little +boy to ask the driver where they were and when they should arrive. In +India it is not permitted a woman to address any man save her husband, +father, and brothers.</p> +<p>The child obeyed but the driver made no reply. “Ask +again,” whispered the mother, “he has not heard +you.”</p> +<p>The boy asked, “When shall we arrive?” again and again, +but not a word answered the driver.</p> +<p><i>Bow-ma</i>, now thoroughly alarmed, beat the shutters of the +carriage and commanded her son to shout loudly. The boy screamed at the +top of his voice, “Why don’t you reply? What road is +this?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e447" href="#xd20e447" +name="xd20e447">15</a>]</span></p> +<p>The driver now answered disrespectfully: “You will soon know +where you are going,” and laughed.</p> +<p>His rude gruff tone and evasive answer confirmed +<i>bow-ma’s</i> worst fears. The awful word <i>dacoits</i> stood +out in her mind in letters of fire. Horror and dread filled her soul. +Drawing her child towards her, she hushed his eager questioning and +waited in silent anguish for the coming danger.</p> +<p>The carriage bumped and rattled over the uneven road. Presently it +stopped. It was now almost dark. The door was jerked open and a harsh +voice commanded: “Get out of the carriage.” <i>Bow-ma</i> +recognised the driver’s voice and, realising the futility of +objecting, without a word she stepped down and helped her little son to +alight.</p> +<p>“Follow me” was the next rough order. Again she silently +obeyed. The man left the road and led her a little distance away under +the shadow of some trees. “Take off your jewels. Give them to +me.” A faint sigh of relief escaped her. Perhaps the jewels were +all he wanted. Quickly she unclasped her handsome necklet and gave it +him. He grasped it greedily with one hand and extended the other for +more. One by one she stripped her <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e465" href="#xd20e465" name="xd20e465">16</a>]</span>wrists and +arms of their lovely bracelets and bangles and handed them to him. +“More” he growled. She pulled the rings from her fingers +and added to them her ear and nose rings. “Your waist +chain” he snapped. She unclasped and dropped its golden weight +into those greedy hands. “Take off your anklets, I want +all” he sneered. She knelt on the ground to unclasp them. Then, +rising, handed them to him, wondering what more would follow.</p> +<p>Meanwhile the child wept bitterly, and angrily forbade the driver to +take his mother’s jewels, calling him robber and thief. +“Yes, dacoit I am,” the scoundrel replied to the +boy’s revilings, “and if you will not be quiet, I will +teach you how to.” <i>Bow-ma</i> gently strove to console and +silence her son. “Fret not! Your father will give me more and +better jewels.”</p> +<p>“Take off your <i>saree</i>” was the next outrageous +command. The boy’s indignation flamed afresh. His mother took an +unguarded step forward and asked: “Are not my jewels enough that +you want the <i>saree</i> off my back?”</p> +<p>“Aye, your <i>saree</i> and all you have. Silence your child +or I will kill him.” Terrible was the <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e485" href="#xd20e485" name= +"xd20e485">17</a>]</span>harsh voice in its determination. +<i>Bow-ma’s</i> heart stood still. Entreaty would be of no avail. +She unwound the richly-embroidered silken folds from about her and cast +the gold and green <i>saree</i> at his feet: “Take it.”</p> +<p>“You have stripped my mother,” screamed the boy. The +ruffian caught the <i>saree</i> with a fearful oath and turning on him +said: “Now I can deal with you. I will fetch a brick from yonder +kiln and pound the breath out of you,” With these words he strode +forward, tying the jewels in the <i>saree</i> as he went. Now her +sorely-tried nerves gave way, and, distracted with grief, <i>bow-ma</i> +caught her child in her arms, and their mingled cries rent the air. But +the thief did not return.</p> +<p>About midnight a village policeman going his rounds heard their +cries. At first he paid no heed to them: jackals swarmed and disturbed +the night. Again the anguished voices quivered in the air. There was +something human in the sound. He stopped to listen. The cries rose +again. He walked forward in their direction. Clearer, as he advanced, +shrilled the distressed voices, and he recognised they were those of a +woman and a child. He quickened his steps and hastened to the spot. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e506" href="#xd20e506" name= +"xd20e506">18</a>]</span>The light from his lantern revealed +<i>bow-ma</i> and her son, clinging to each other and weeping +piteously.</p> +<p>“Who are you? What ails you?” he asked. The distraught +mother, unconscious of the flight of time, thinking him the heartless +dacoit returned to kill her boy, fell at his feet in an agony of +supplication: “Spare my son. Take my life instead.”</p> +<p>“I am a <i>chowkidar</i> (watchman). What is up?” But so +dulled were her ears with fear and grief that he was twice obliged to +repeat his words. When the joyful intelligence reached her brain she +burst into tears. “O! save my son.” Then the consciousness +that the danger was past reminded her of her own plight, and she +sobbed: “Give me something to wear.”</p> +<p>The policeman had noticed her semi-nude state. Dropping, his +<i>pugree</i> at her feet he turned away. She shook out its many folds +and draped it about her body. Then she related what had befallen her +and pointed towards the direction the thief had taken.</p> +<p>The policeman walked cautiously forward, his lantern raised in one +hand and his <i>lathi</i> tightly <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e529" href="#xd20e529" name="xd20e529">19</a>]</span>grasped in +the other. A few yards ahead he came to an old brick kiln. Here, prone +among the broken bricks, lay the robber in greater straits than his +victims. A huge cobra was tightly coiled round his right arm, while on +the left hung the <i>saree</i> and the jewels. The rays of the lantern +disturbed the snake. With an angry hiss it uncoiled itself and +disappeared. The dacoit, more dead than alive from simple fear of the +snake’s fatal sting, yielded himself a prisoner, and it was +subsequently discovered that the whole gang, of whom he was a member, +were licensed hackney drivers. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e534" +href="#xd20e534" name="xd20e534">20</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch03" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Saved by a Bear</h2> +<p>The evening shadows and silence had settled on the river Hooghly as +an old Brahman wended his way to one of the many <i>ghats</i> (landing +places).</p> +<p>The <i>dinghis</i>—little boats which ply backwards and +forwards all day carrying passengers to and from Calcutta—had all +been made fast for the night. Some of the boatmen were cooking their +evening meal, while others sat about on the decks smoking and singing. +Many of the boats were wedged close together and drawn up on to the +bank.</p> +<p>But one lay well in the water and some distance from its +fellow-craft. Its <i>manjhi</i> (headman) stood on the stern deck, +binding together the mat roof of his boat. His seemingly careless gaze +took in the Brahman, about to descend the bank. He noted that the old +man carried a parcel, partially concealed in his <i>chadar</i> (scarf), +and, from the manner in which he hugged it, the observer concluded it +contained something valuable. As the Brahman came nearer, the +<i>manjhi</i> saw it was a bag of money.</p> +<p>The old man picked his way down the bank and called upon boat after +boat to take him to a <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e561" href= +"#xd20e561" name="xd20e561">21</a>]</span>small village near Serampore, +for in those days there was no railway. None were willing to go so far. +Meanwhile a whispered consultation had taken place between the +<i>manjhi</i> and <i>dhars</i> (oarsmen) of the furthest <i>dinghi</i>. +When the Brahman finally accosted them, they first demurred and then, +as though still reluctant, consented to hire their boat.</p> +<p>Just as they were pushing off, a man with a performing bear ran down +the bank. “Where goest thou?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Serampore” answered the Brahman before the boatman +could reply.</p> +<p>“My home is near by,” the man remarked gladly, and +jumped into the boat, pulling his bear after him.</p> +<p>The boatmen scowled angrily: “Get out, we go not so +far.” But he would not. The <i>manjhi</i> warned him that he and +his bear would gain nothing by forcing themselves into the boat.</p> +<p>“These boatmen are queer customers,” he laughingly +remarked to the Brahman, and to them: “Gain nothing! Why! I will +reach my home.”</p> +<p>“So you say,” they answered. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e587" href="#xd20e587" name= +"xd20e587">22</a>]</span></p> +<p>The bear-man wondered within himself at their unwillingness to have +him as a passenger. He and the old Brahman made a few remarks to each +other. Then they fell silent.</p> +<p>They were near the end of their journey when the bear-man asked +suddenly: “<i>Manjhi</i>, have we not passed +Serampore?”</p> +<p>“Are you the <i>guru</i> of boatmen that you question +me?” replied the <i>manjhi</i>, and then, in a more conciliatory +tone, added: “We are going higher up for a crossing. The tide is +strong.” The explanation was reasonable. But the bear-man’s +suspicions had been awakened and he was on the alert. The Brahman sat +placidly nursing his bag which the bear-man too had noticed contained +money. He had also noticed that the <i>manjhis</i> kept glancing +furtively at it and its owner.</p> +<p>The river crossed, the boat hugged the bank; after a time it came to +a standstill. One of the <i>manjhis</i> jumped ashore with the rope and +secured it to a tree. The Brahman and the bear-man both asked: +“What is wrong? Why stop the boat in this strange +place?”</p> +<p>“You will soon know, you will soon see,” answered the +boatmen and chuckled over some <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e614" +href="#xd20e614" name="xd20e614">23</a>]</span>secret joke as, one +after another, each stepped ashore and disappeared.</p> +<p>The aged Brahman gazed after them apprehensively. Then, placing his +money between his knees, as he sat on the deck with crossed legs tucked +under him, he folded his hands together and bent forward in prayer.</p> +<p>The bear-man thought within himself: “Prayer for him, action +for me.” And saying softly to the old man; <i>“Brahman +Thakoor</i>, something is brewing. I follow to see,” he too +stepped ashore.</p> +<p>Not far from the tree he found a small thatched house and several +men gathered behind it. Moving warily forward among the group he +recognised the <i>manjhis.</i> “Dacoits!” he whispered to +himself. Then an inspiration struck him.</p> +<p>He ran back to the boat, and asked the Brahman to change his seat to +the stern and be ready to steer off when he gave him a signal. He took +up a position in the prow and fondled his bear.</p> +<p>Within a few minutes a party of men appeared coming towards the +<i>dinghi</i>. Some were boatmen; all were dacoits.</p> +<p>The actor loosed the bear’s chain, saying: “Go! go! hug +the life out of all of them!” <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e637" href="#xd20e637" name="xd20e637">24</a>]</span></p> +<p>The sagacious animal responded to his master’s order with a +fierce charge right among the approaching band of robbers. With +startled cries they fled in all directions. Quite sure they were +effectively scattered, the bear-man called his animal back, secured its +chain once more, and pushed from the shore.</p> +<p>With some difficulty he and the old Brahman navigated themselves +back to Calcutta and informed the police authorities there. The police +took possession of the <i>dinghi</i> which on inspection proved to be a +dacoit’s nest well-equipped with instruments fitted for murder +and robbery. But none of this gang of river dacoits were captured.</p> +<p>The lives of the Brahman and the showman were certainly saved by the +wonderful intelligence of the latter’s bear. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e648" href="#xd20e648" name= +"xd20e648">25</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch04" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Raghu Dacoit</h2> +<p>Madhub Babu, a Calcutta gentleman, owned much property in that city +and was known far and wide on account of his great wealth. To do him +honour, the City Fathers had named a tank after him.</p> +<p>At that time there flourished a notorious dacoit, Raghu, for whose +capture Government had offered a handsome reward. But like Robin Hood +of old, Raghu Dacoit had caught popular fancy by his generosity to the +poor. Though he looted the rich, to the needy, the famine-stricken and +widows he was always kind. No one would inform against him.</p> +<p>Madhub Babu had a fine country house in Chandernagore, where he +frequently entertained his friends. On one of these occasions, the +latest doings of Raghu Dacoit were being discussed. The Babu remarked +confidently: “He dare not visit me. He knows my house is well +guarded.”</p> +<p>One of the guests quickly rejoined: “Oh, don’t say that. +Raghu Dacoit is a dangerous and clever man.” <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e660" href="#xd20e660" name= +"xd20e660">26</a>]</span></p> +<p>A few days after, Madhub Babu received a letter from the famous +outlaw saying that he would be pleased to visit the rich man’s +country house. Madhub Babu was amazed at the audacity of the fellow, +and wondered how his remark had reached the robber’s ears.</p> +<p>He immediately sent information to Calcutta and asked for a strong +body of police to be sent at his expense. They arrived, and his country +residence was extra well guarded for some time. But nothing happened! +Madhub Babu concluded that the letter had been a hoax. So the police +guard was withdrawn.</p> +<p>Madhub Babu’s Chandernagore house stood on the bank of the +river. One dark night a boat came quietly to the <i>ghat</i>. Its +occupants silently landed and proceeded stealthily to the house. Every +door and window was securely fastened, but what mattered that to Raghu +and his band? Tall trees graced the grounds everywhere and many grew +near the house. Climbing the nearest, some of the dacoits reached up a +long and stout bamboo from it to the flat roof. A slim youth crawled +over and fixed the other end securely. Then one by one some of the gang +slid across. The door of the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e670" +href="#xd20e670" name="xd20e670">27</a>]</span>staircase leading down +into the house stood open. Creeping like cats downstairs they gained +the entrance hall. Here they found all the <i>durwans</i> fast asleep. +The light of their lanterns showed the <i>durwans’</i> swords +hanging on the wall. In a trice the dacoits had them down, unsheathed, +and, oh, bitter blow! despatched Madhub Babu’s men with their own +weapons.</p> +<p>Then noiselessly opening the door they admitted the remainder of the +band. For a few hours there was uproar, confusion and dismay while the +burglars invaded room after room and collected all Madhub Babu’s +treasures with which they disappeared.</p> +<p>While still smarting under the loss of his valuables, the Babu +received another letter from Raghu Dacoit asking, “Had his visit +given Madhub Babu pleasure?” <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e682" href="#xd20e682" name="xd20e682">28</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch05" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Girl as Kali-Ma</h2> +<p>A large and well-to-do family lived happily in a country place in +Bengal.</p> +<p>One day their peace was disturbed by an anonymous letter. The writer +warned them to expect a “dacoity” (burglary). These Indian +outlaws always make it a point of honour to inform their intended +victims, and always come with drums, torch-light and a sort of +war-cry.</p> +<p>There was much valuable jewellery in the house and the family, +thinking discretion the better part of valour, gathered all together, +packed it securely and, taking it with them, left their home about +sunset for safe quarters.</p> +<p>Somehow one of the younger ladies with a tiny infant was left +behind. Unaware of the warning letter or desertion of the family, she +slept peacefully through the early hours of the night. But later, she +was awakened by the sound of drums and loud cries, which she recognised +as the signal of the dacoits. Rushing out of her chamber she discovered +that the burglars were already in the house and that none of the family +were to be found. From <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e694" href= +"#xd20e694" name="xd20e694">29</a>]</span>room to room she fled, +finding none to protect her, and realised that she was alone and +helpless. Even her husband was gone!</p> +<p>She was a high-spirited and resourceful girl. She knew her life and +the baby’s as well were in danger and she determined to outwit +the burglars. She had a swarthy complexion like Kali, the +dacoits’ divinity. Often had her mother bemoaned its darkness! +Now it should serve her. But was she black enough? To make assurance +doubly sure, she caught up a bottle of ink, which she knew where to +find, and hastily smeared her face and limbs with it. Then, hiding her +baby in a safe corner, she uncoiled her heavy hair and let its +luxuriant black tresses fall about her like a cloak. Her preparations +complete, she placed herself in a large niche at the head of the +stairs.</p> +<p>The dacoits found nothing below worth attention and trooped +upstairs. The flickering glare of their torches fell upon a life-like +image of Kali the Terrible. With protruding scarlet tongue and fixed +staring eyes, the girl stood immovable and breathless, silently +invoking all her family gods to come to her aid in her bold design.</p> +<p>With an awe-struck cry of “Mercy! mercy! <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e702" href="#xd20e702" name= +"xd20e702">30</a>]</span>Kali-Ma!”, the thieves fell prostrate at +her feet. The girl held her breath. Was it possible that her plan had +succeeded? The slow seconds passed. The Chief arose. “Come, +brothers, we touch nothing where Mother Kali is worshipped.” With +hasty and reverent steps they descended the stairs and left the +house.</p> +<p>Long after the dacoits had gone the girl stood there. Then the +strain snapped and she relapsed to her normal self. Fear swept over her +and she rushed out of the house. But her trembling limbs could not +carry her far. She fell in a dead faint on the pathway. The neighbours, +who had heard the dacoits enter the house and seen them go away silent +and empty-handed, came to learn the mystery and found her there.</p> +<p>When the family returned next morning, the neighbours abused them +soundly for leaving the girl and her babe behind. The girl herself was +so hurt by the neglect that she had scarcely strength enough to relate +the strange happenings of the night. Her husband found it difficult to +make his peace; he said that he believed her to be with the ladies of +the family. In zenana families even the most devoted husband has little +voice in his wife’s <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e708" href= +"#xd20e708" name="xd20e708">31</a>]</span>movements, as all +arrangements are left in the hands of the mother-in-law. There were +several ladies and children in the family and the mother-in-law had +thought the girl was with some of them. Friendship was however finally +restored. All generously admired her ingenuity and realised her +bravery. From the white-haired old father to the smallest child, +everyone was grateful then and always after for her presence of mind on +that memorable night. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e710" href= +"#xd20e710" name="xd20e710">32</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch06" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>The Deputy Magistrate</h2> +<p>In the Dacca district, a few years ago, there was a big dacoity. A +Deputy Magistrate was ordered to secretly investigate the matter and, +if possible, to capture the miscreants.</p> +<p>Besides his cook and personal attendants he took with him some +policemen. All were disguised. They travelled in several small +boats.</p> +<p>It was late in the evening as they neared the place, where the +burglary had occurred. He decided to proceed no further that night. The +boats put to; the men cooked their evening meal and all retired.</p> +<p>About midnight, the Magistrate awoke with a start to hear many +voices calling him by name. He listened: “So you have come to +arrest us, to put us in jail, to hang us. Ah! you will soon see who +will be punished. We shall know how clever you are!”</p> +<p>The night was pitch-dark. He noiselessly opened the small window of +the boat and saw a number of men, with flaming torches in their hands +and armed with heavy sticks, coming down the <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e724" href="#xd20e724" name= +"xd20e724">33</a>]</span>bank. There was no time to call his men. He +seized his loaded revolver. But what was one against so many! He +decided to bolt. The land way was barred by the dacoits. What of the +river? He was a good swimmer. But the water looked black as ink and +swarmed with crocodiles. Yet to stay in the boat meant certain death. +If he gained the opposite bank, he could make for his +father-in-law’s house, which was near the river and where his +wife was then staying. He might escape the crocodiles. He determined to +risk it.</p> +<p>Like a flash all this passed through his mind. Opening the other +window he clambered out stealthily and slipped into the water. A few +powerful strokes carried him across. He stumbled up the bank and raced +through the thorny jungle to his father-in-law’s house.</p> +<p>The sleeping family were disturbed by his violent knocking. As soon +as he was admitted, he went to his wife’s room. She was horrified +to hear of his danger. After a hasty bath and change she insisted that +he should eat something, and while he was refreshing himself, she +informed her father of his son-in-law’s escape and predicament. +To her surprise, her father said: “I am sorry, but he +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e730" href="#xd20e730" name= +"xd20e730">34</a>]</span>must leave my house.”</p> +<p>“O! father, how can he?” she pleaded.</p> +<p>“<i>He must</i>” repeated her father.</p> +<p>The daughter fell at her parent’s feet and implored him not to +drive her husband forth. But no words of hers could move him. +“Why should all suffer for one?” he argued. She returned +sadly to her husband.</p> +<p>Presently the cries of the dacoits showed that they had scented +their quarry. Soon they shouted at the door: “Open! or drive out +the Deputy Magistrate. We know he is here. Give him to us or what +happens be on your own head.”</p> +<p>The wife wept piteously. Her father remained obdurate, muttering, +“I knew this would happen.”</p> +<p>The unfortunate Magistrate could not understand his +father-in-law’s behaviour. He sat with his head bowed in despair. +Suddenly his wife ran to him.</p> +<p>“You must try to escape. I have an idea.” She pulled out +a <i>saree</i> and some jewels, and began to dress him as a woman.</p> +<p>“It’s no use,” he said hopelessly, “they +will catch me.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e755" href= +"#xd20e755" name="xd20e755">35</a>]</span></p> +<p>“Be brave,” she said encouragingly, “for my sake +see if you cannot elude them.”</p> +<p>With tender hands she arranged the <i>saree</i>, draping it well +over his head to conceal his face. Then giving him a <i>ghurra</i> +(water vessel) told him to pretend that he was going to fetch water +from the river. Cheered by her courage, he caught her to his heart in a +mute farewell, and her prayers went with him.</p> +<p>He had not gone far from the house when cries arose of “There +he is!” But some one shouted: “It is a woman. Look +elsewhere.” And he passed slowly to the river. Here he flung the +brass <i>ghurra</i> far out into the stream and ran for his life along +the bank. No sounds of pursuit followed him, and he now gained courage +enough to form a plan of escape. Not far from his father-in-law’s +village was a small police station. Thither he bent his steps and asked +protection of its solitary occupant.</p> +<p>The man recognised him and asked: “Deputy Saheb, why are you +here? What is wrong?”</p> +<p>The Magistrate told him of the dacoits and of his escape. +“Dacoits after you!” said the policeman and looked grave. +“Sir, I cannot help you. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e775" +href="#xd20e775" name="xd20e775">36</a>]</span>What is one +<i>policewallah</i> against so many? If I shelter you we shall both +die. You better push on.”</p> +<p>For a time the Magistrate pleaded to deaf ears. But at length his +promises of promotion and reward moved the man. “Come” he +said “I will do my best,” and, rising, led the way to his +own house. Here in the inner room was a high <i>machan</i>—a huge +bamboo shelf made like a raft and suspended from the roof and reached +by a moveable ladder, used for storing all sorts of things.</p> +<p>On this <i>machan</i> were some old blankets. “Here, conceal +yourself in these” said the policeman. The Deputy Magistrate +needed no second bidding. He climbed up and rolled himself in one of +the blankets and heaped the others in front of him. The policeman +carried the ladder away, right out of the house. Then he shut the door +and returned to the office.</p> +<p>After a time there came the noise of the dacoits. They soon entered +the police station and shouted: “Give up that Deputy Saheb. We +know he is here.”</p> +<p>“Deputy, what Deputy? I cannot understand. Where is he?” +answered the policeman.</p> +<p>“Don’t be shamming,” returned the dacoits +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e797" href="#xd20e797" name= +"xd20e797">37</a>]</span>contemptuously, “thou knowest well whom +we mean. Produce him if you value your own life.”</p> +<p>In vain the policeman pleaded ignorance. His trembling limbs and +shaking voice belied his words. The dacoits bound him, searched the +police office, and then proceeded to hunt the house. “He is not +here. Let us not waste further time,” said one. +“Let’s look well,” said another, “and search +every place.” Some climbed the <i>machan</i> and discovered their +victim. It did not take them long to drag him down, and beat him +mercilessly with their long sticks, till he became unconscious. The +policeman too was severely chastised. Him they left lying there; but +rolled the offending Magistrate in an old mat, bound him tightly with a +rope and carried him away to the river.</p> +<p>As he was borne on their shoulders through the night air, he +gradually came to his senses but kept silent and listened to his +captors. By this time it was dawn, and they were at the river. The +majority were for re-crossing and burning him, dead or alive. One +dissentient voice struck him with surprise. It was his +father-in-law’s! Clearly he was one of the gang! But scruples had +overtaken him and he pleaded that he might not be a witness +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e806" href="#xd20e806" name= +"xd20e806">38</a>]</span>of the projected murder of his son-in-law. +“Spare me! spare me!” he cried.</p> +<p>Some jeered: “Ho! Ho! you still have a soft corner in your +heart for your son-in-law.” At last they agreed that he might +absent himself and he apparently turned back.</p> +<p>The others now put their burden into a boat and crossed the river. +They were laughing at the father-in-law’s weakness, and as they +approached the <i>ghat</i> failed to observe a Government +<i>budgerow</i> anchored there. It was the Divisional +Commissioner’s. He was out on tour. The <i>paharawalla</i> on +deck checked them: “Do not make such a noise. The Saheb +sleeps.”</p> +<p>They answered rudely and the watchman retorted angrily. The dacoits +loudly abused the man.</p> +<p>The noise woke up the Commissioner, and he got out on deck with a +loaded revolver in his hand. The dacoits jumped from their +<i>dinghy</i> and ran up the bank. It was evident who they were and the +Commissioner fired, aiming at their legs. One man fell with a scream of +pain but scrambled to his feet and ran on.</p> +<p>Nothing was to be gained by chasing them <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e830" href="#xd20e830" name= +"xd20e830">39</a>]</span>through the still dark jungle. The +Commissioner turned his attention to the boat. “Search it” +he ordered his watchmen. His quick eyes detected legs protruding from a +mat, and he was not surprised when his <i>chaprassi</i> called: +“Saheb, a dead man lies in it.”</p> +<p>The Deputy murmured feebly: “I am not dead. I live.” The +<i>chaprassi</i> amended the first statement: “Saheb, he +speaks.” The Commissioner jumped into the <i>dinghi</i>, cut the +ropes that bound the unfortunate man, and discovered the Deputy +Magistrate. It did not take him long to recover and pour his tale of +woe into his Chief’s ears.</p> +<p>By sunrise they were all after the dacoits. Blood-drops marked the +way and, near by, they found the wounded man who, only able to hobble, +had hidden himself in a thicket. The Deputy Magistrate’s +father-in-law was arrested. He was one of the leaders of the band. It +did not take long to capture the others. And after this, for a time, +this part of the Dacca district enjoyed peace from dacoits. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e846" href="#xd20e846" name= +"xd20e846">40</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch07" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>All for Nothing</h2> +<p>A young and very high-caste Bengali lady was married to the son of a +rich man who lived near Hooghly, a small town within a short distance +of Calcutta.</p> +<p>Some years passed, but there was no sign of a son and heir. The +parents-in-law were fond of the girl. She had won her way into their +hearts and they sympathised with her. Yet they longed to see the old +name being carried down the years, and whisperings grew into talk of a +second marriage for their son. The girl’s parents were anxious +and distressed.</p> +<p>Then a kindly Providence intervened, and after months of expectation +a little son lay in her arms, and both families rejoiced with the girl +and shared her pride in the boy baby.</p> +<p>When the child was about a year old, the young mother’s +brother became engaged to be married. The date was fixed and +invitations sent to the girl and to the family of her parents-in-law. +It was arranged that she and her baby should attend the wedding. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e858" href="#xd20e858" name= +"xd20e858">41</a>]</span></p> +<p>Not far off, also in Hooghly, lived a widowed sister (of the girl) +in her father-in-law’s house. She too was going to the wedding, +and it was settled that both sisters should travel in the same boat to +Calcutta. No male member of either family could accompany them. +Therefore, their father sent an old servant from Calcutta to fetch +them. This man was trusted and treated like a member of the family, +with whom he had been for years.</p> +<p>The girl put together her clothes. Her good mother-in-law unlocked +the great safe and took out the girl’s best jewels. An Indian +wedding is the occasion for a great display of clothes and jewellery, +and a well-dressed and richly-adorned <i>bow</i> raises the credit of +the mother-in-law, especially if the wedding is in the girl’s own +family; so a careful selection was made. Baby was not forgotten either. +Tiny gold bangles and chains had been showered upon him at his birth, +and this was his first public appearance.</p> +<p>They started early, so as to arrive during the afternoon. There was +to be a ceremony the next day and many guests had arrived at the +bride-groom’s house, and all watched eagerly for the two sisters. +But the hours waned and still they tarried. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e868" href="#xd20e868" name= +"xd20e868">42</a>]</span>Late in the evening, the old servant arrived, +agitated and all mud-bespattered.</p> +<p>Family, guests and servants plied him with questions concerning the +sisters. Not a word would he reply. Suspicions soon voiced themselves. +Dacoits were about. Everyone knew of the wedding and the consequent +family gathering. Everyone knew too that the daughter was the cherished +<i>bow</i> of a rich family.</p> +<p>Urged by these arguments and his own anxiety, the father threatened +to skin the man alive unless he spoke. Intimidated by his +master’s anger, the servant stated that the boat had capsized and +the sisters and baby were drowned.</p> +<p>The house of mirth and laughter was changed to one of weeping. But +the father did not accept the information in its entirety. He called in +the police and a vigorous search was made. All the boatmen were found. +They stated they had swum ashore but could or would give no word of the +ladies.</p> +<p>The only possible clue was given by an Englishman living in a mill +on the river bank at Chinsurah. About midnight, on the date of the +disappearance of the ladies, he heard the cries of women and a child. +At first he had thought of going to <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e882" href="#xd20e882" name="xd20e882">43</a>]</span>see what was +up. But the sounds were coming from a thick jungle, and he argued it +was impossible any one could be there in trouble, and finally thought +no more of the seeming cries.</p> +<p>This ill-omened happening broke up the wedding party. The marriage +was cancelled. All the preparations had been for nothing. To this day +the fate of the sisters is unknown. The bride and bridegroom-elect were +married to other parties. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e886" href= +"#xd20e886" name="xd20e886">44</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch08" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Punjabee Dacoit</h2> +<p>In a railway train several Punjabee ladies sat on the lower berths +of a second class compartment, laughing and talking gaily. They were, +with one exception, all richly dressed and each of them wore a quantity +of jewels. The exception was a capable, good-looking woman, of about +twenty-five. Her short hair, neck and arms bare of jewellery, and plain +white <i>saree</i>, proclaimed her a widow. But like the others she +chatted merrily, and a listener would have learned from their +conversation that they had been attending a wedding, and were now on +their way home. Witty remarks about the guests, criticism of the looks +of the bride, and comparisons of this wedding with others, passed from +one to another, and whiled away the hours of the journey as the train +sped onwards.</p> +<p>Night fell, and the ladies became silent. They rested against each +other and dozed at intervals. The widow sat on a trunk at the end of +the carriage and silently told her beads. The train slowed down and +stopped at a little station. Then the bell clanged and once again they +were on their way. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e897" href= +"#xd20e897" name="xd20e897">45</a>]</span>The little station had not +been left far behind when a dark figure appeared on the foot-board of +the ladies’ carriage, and a man’s head was thrust in at one +of the windows. A startled exclamation from one of the party drew the +attention of all to the intruder, who was pulling himself up into the +carriage. He was very fierce-looking, wore a huge turban, and had a +bushy black beard. In one hand he held a knife and with the other he +assisted himself into the compartment, in spite of the ladies’ +protestations.</p> +<p>Some of them began to cry but one or two bolder spirits ventured to +argue with him. In answer to their questions and objections, he said +roughly: “It is a long while before you will reach another +station. I have come for your jewels. If you give them to me quietly, I +will not hurt any of you; but if not—” and he looked very +expressively at the knife in his hand.</p> +<p>After some few minutes, the ladies, who were inclined to oppose him, +yielded to the tearful advice of their more timid sisters, and one by +one they began to unclasp necklaces and belts and hand them over to the +dacoit together with bracelets, bangles and rings. The ruffian, finding +them <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e903" href="#xd20e903" name= +"xd20e903">46</a>]</span>docile, did not hustle them in any way but +stood leisurely receiving the spoil. Then he carefully folded all in a +rich <i>saree</i> and was knotting the ends together when the train +suddenly stopped, and an Englishman pushed open the door of the +ladies’ compartment and sprang at him with the exclamation, +“You scoundrel!”</p> +<p>The sudden surprise and assault threw the robber off his feet, and +he fell sprawling on the carriage floor, with the Englishman on top of +him. In the meantime, the guard and others arrived and the thief was +secured and his hands and feet were bound together with his own +<i>pugree</i>, and he was removed to the guard’s van.</p> +<p>The widow was the heroine of the adventure. As soon as she saw the +man entering the carriage, she realised his purpose. Slipping into the +lavatory she climbed through the window there on to the footboard, and +pulled herself along by the carriage rods to the next compartment where +the solitary occupant, an Englishman, sat reading.</p> +<p>He was amazed to see a woman clinging to the window of his carriage, +but fortunately he understood the language; and when she said +“Help, thief in the next carriage”, he opened the door and +got <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e917" href="#xd20e917" name= +"xd20e917">47</a>]</span>her into his carriage without any delay. In a +few words, she acquainted him with what was happening in the next +compartment. He immediately pulled the alarm cord to stop the train, +and hurried along the footboard to the assistance of the ladies. They +were profuse in their expressions of gratitude to him, but he insisted +that they owed their lives and their jewels to their courageous friend. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e919" href="#xd20e919" name= +"xd20e919">48</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch09" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Child’s Experience</h2> +<p>Some years ago in a country place, not far from Calcutta, there +lived a well-to-do Bengalee gentleman. He was an old man; and his large +family consisting of sons, grandsons, and his brothers with their wives +and children, and many dependent relatives—all lived happily +together in their ancestral home.</p> +<p>It was an old-fashioned house with verandahs, courtyards and many +rooms. In a large <i>dalan</i> or verandah all the family <i>poojas</i> +were celebrated. Here the daughters of the house were married, and for +generations the old walls had looked on at family gatherings and +festivities.</p> +<p>There were extensive grounds round the house. Quite close to the +<i>zenana</i> there was a large kitchen garden which supplied all the +vegetables consumed daily in the house; and so plentiful was the +produce that large trays filled with vegetables were sent out every day +as presents to friends, relatives and to the neighbouring temples.</p> +<p>A little further away was an orchard, and in spring the numerous +mango trees delighted all <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e940" href= +"#xd20e940" name="xd20e940">49</a>]</span>eyes with their blossoms. And +there were jack fruit trees, peaches, plums and guava trees in numbers, +besides long lines of plantains and palms of several kinds.</p> +<p>In the garden, orchard and stables there were tanks and wells so +that the supply of water was sufficient for the needs of such a large +establishment. In front of the mansion there was a large ornamental +tank or lake with white marble steps leading to its waters. Here every +evening the men and boys of the family gathered to recreate and enjoy +the cooling south breeze, and they were often joined by neighbours, and +many a pleasant hour was spent on those marble steps.</p> +<p>An avenue of trees and a high hedge rendered the house quite +private, and the roof was a lovely recreation place and promenade for +the ladles and girls of the family, who were all <i>purdah</i>.</p> +<p>The old man’s wealth was much discussed and the expensive +clothes and rich jewels of the ladies were often spoken of. One day the +old gentleman received a warning letter from a band of dacoits that the +house would be visited by them that night. After some hurried +consultation, the family packed up all their jewels and valuables and +sought shelter <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e951" href="#xd20e951" +name="xd20e951">50</a>]</span>in flight. It was decided to spend the +night at a place a few miles distant.</p> +<p>In the excitement a young mother was separated from her little boy, +a child of about three or four years of age. She concluded that he was +with some other member of the family in another carriage and did not +trouble herself about it. But on their arrival at their place of refuge +he was not found with any of the others.</p> +<p>The mother’s distress of mind was pitiful. She wished to +return for her child; but it was growing dark and there was the danger +of meeting the dacoits. So her wish was overruled, and through the long +night she suffered terrible anxiety, picturing in her mind all that was +perhaps befalling her little son.</p> +<p>In the meantime the child was sleeping sweetly and peacefully in his +bed in his mother’s room. Tired out with play, he had slipped +into bed unknown to any one and there he lay.</p> +<p>About twelve at night the dacoits arrived and broke into the house. +They searched the empty rooms and were furious at finding no valuables +worth carrying away. They came to the room where the little boy slept, +and their loud voices <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e962" href= +"#xd20e962" name="xd20e962">51</a>]</span>awakened him. He sat up and, +seeing their strange faces and glaring torches, screamed with fright. +One of them threatened to kill him if he did not stop his noise. +Another stepped to the bedside and taking the little boy in his arms +said: “Little one, do not cry. No one will hurt you.”</p> +<p>The child recognised his father’s servant and twined his +little arms around the man’s neck. The other dacoits laughed and +walked out of the room leaving their comrade with the child.</p> +<p>When daylight broke, the family returned home, and the poor young +mother flew through the house in search of her child. To her surprise +and joy she found him sleeping peacefully in her own room. Her +hysterical caresses awakened him and the little fellow could not +understand what ailed his mother.</p> +<p>“Did nothing happen during the night?” she asked. +“Did you see anything or anyone, my son?”</p> +<p>Rubbing his chubby knuckles in his eyes the sleepy little boy +answered: “Oh, yes, where were you, mother? A lot of men came. +Some wanted to hit me, but—(naming the servant) was with them, +and he sent them away. Then he gave me sweets and put me to +sleep.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e972" href="#xd20e972" +name="xd20e972">52</a>]</span></p> +<p>The servant was arrested, and he confessed that he was one of the +band of dacoits who had sent the warning letter and had broken into the +house. Nearly the whole band was captured. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e975" href="#xd20e975" name= +"xd20e975">53</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch10" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Two Chinese Dacoits</h2> +<p>In a large house in Calcutta there lived an Englishman, his wife and +her sister. Mrs. C. was of a highly-strung and nervous disposition, and +as her husband’s business frequently occasioned his absence from +home, they had persuaded her sister Ethel to come out to India on a +long visit.</p> +<p>Ethel was a bright, lively girl, very practical and quite the +opposite of her sister, whom she often rallied for her timidity. Once +when Alice was more trying than usual, Ethel exclaimed: “Perhaps +if I were a little like you, Alice, delicate, nervous and silly, I +might get a husband who would fuss over me like Charlie does over +you.”</p> +<p>Alice laughed at her sister’s earnestness and said: “If +you were not healthy and strong-minded you would understand me better, +Ethel.”</p> +<p>Not long afterwards the two ladies were left alone for some days as +Mr. C. was obliged to go upcountry on business. While he was away, +Ethel slept with her sister. It was the cold weather when night closes +in early and the evenings are long. Mrs. C. liked an early dinner, soon +after which she <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e988" href= +"#xd20e988" name="xd20e988">54</a>]</span>always retired. Ethel liked +to spend the long quiet evenings, reading or writing, and often sat up +till midnight.</p> +<p>One afternoon, while they were at lunch, a telegram was brought in, +and on opening it, Alice exclaimed delightedly “Charlie will be +back in time for dinner.”</p> +<p>The evening passed away till dinner time but Mr. C. did not arrive +and the ladies waited till nine o’clock. Then they dined, and +when the clock struck ten and still there was no arrival, Alice said +she would go to bed, as Charlie must have missed his train and the next +was not due till near midnight.</p> +<p>Ethel looked up from her book and said: “Well, I am sleeping +in my own room.”</p> +<p>“O! you know I hate to be alone,” exclaimed Alice; +“you might come and sleep in mine until Charlie comes +in.”</p> +<p>“Alice, you are selfish,” retorted Ethel. “I shall +barely be in bed before he walks in. The only thing for me is to go to +bed in your room in my evening dress.”</p> +<p>“How silly you are,” said Alice peevishly; “why +cannot you undress as usual? Charlie may not come at all to-night and I +dread being alone.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1002" +href="#xd20e1002" name="xd20e1002">55</a>]</span></p> +<p>“Oh, very well,” said Ethel, “I will come and read +in your room till Charlie does come. I shall never marry a man who is +always away on business,” With these words she forsook her easy +chair and accompanied her sister into the large bed-room. She threw +herself on the side of the bed and went on with her book.</p> +<p>Alice undressed, got into bed and was soon asleep. Ethel finished +her book and then lay waiting for her brother-in-law. The lights in the +hall and on the landing were not extinguished, but the house was still +and quiet. It was near twelve and Alice was just wondering if Mr. C. +would really arrive or if it would not be better for her to undress and +get into bed comfortably when she heard gentle footsteps on the +stairs.</p> +<p>“There’s Charlie,” she said to herself, “and +how softly he is coming upstairs! he is a considerate +husband.”</p> +<p>She looked at her sister, saw that she was sleeping very soundly. +“I will pretend to be asleep too,” said Ethel to herself +and she drew up the bed-clothes to hide her evening dress and put a +pillow over her head.</p> +<p>To her disappointment, Charlie delayed his <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1014" href="#xd20e1014" name= +"xd20e1014">56</a>]</span>coming and she was wondering if he was dining +when the door slowly opened, but instead of Mr. C. two Chinamen entered +the room. Ethel stared at them from under her pillow with amazement. At +first they stood motionless beside the door. Then, closing it +noiselessly, they advanced into the room. Their quaint clothes, long +pigtails and red eyes together with their stealthy movements and the +hour of midnight, created an uncanny atmosphere in the room, and for +the first time in her life Ethel began to understand what nerves mean. +Never in her life had her pulses jumped and throbbed as they were doing +now. She controlled her inclination to scream and from under her pillow +watched the men.</p> +<p>They examined the room and one of them approached the toilette table +and began to transfer the jewels and silver ornaments which lay upon it +to a capacious bag. The other took a big cigar out of his pocket and +lit it. Then he stepped to Mrs. C.’s side and began to puff the +smoke into her face. She was sleeping upon her back and though she at +first stirred uneasily she soon seemed to sink into a deeper sleep. +After a few minutes by her side, the Chinaman moved round to +Ethel’s side of the bed; but seeing that her head was covered by +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1018" href="#xd20e1018" name= +"xd20e1018">57</a>]</span>a pillow and that she was apparently fast +asleep, he turned to help his comrade.</p> +<p>At this moment Mr. C.’s voice sounded in the hall and he came +running upstairs, whistling gaily. The robbers exchanged alarmed looks +and hastily hid themselves and their bag of booty behind a large +almirah. Charlie opened the door and came into the room, saying +“Alice, where are you?” Approaching the bed he said +“What, asleep!” and bent over his wife. But she was in a +deep slumber and oblivious of her husband’s presence. He noticed +Ethel’s form on the opposite side of the bed and, walking gently +round, touched her arm and whispered: “Are you asleep +too?”</p> +<p>She lifted the pillow, stretched her arms, and then sat up on the +bed. He noticed her evening dress and was explaining his late arrival +when she jumped up crossly from the bed and saying, “Look at your +wife, is she not looking ghastly?” went out of the room. Charlie +returned to his wife’s side and looked closely at her. Her face +seemed strangely pallid and her hands were cold. He endeavoured to wake +her and was still trying to rouse her when Ethel returned to the room +followed by several of the servants, who looked excited. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1024" href="#xd20e1024" name= +"xd20e1024">58</a>]</span></p> +<p>In answer to his question, “What is wrong with Alice?” +Ethel said “There are two thieves hidden behind the +<i>almirah</i>. Let the servants help you to secure them and then you +will know what is wrong with Alice.”</p> +<p>The two Chinamen were soon routed out from behind the almirah, +captured and handed over to the police. A doctor was summoned and Alice +was brought out of the stupor, she had been thrown into by the fumes of +opium smoke. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1032" href="#xd20e1032" +name="xd20e1032">59</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch11" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>An Unfaithful Servant.</h2> +<p>A rich zemindar named Bose lived in Lucknow, He had emigrated there +from Bengal, acquired land there, and studied the language until he +could speak Urdu like a Hindustanee. He became so much a native of +Lucknow that, when business took him down to Calcutta, he felt himself +a foreigner and stranger in Bengal.</p> +<p>His wife was an invalid and, as the years told on her, he had +frequently to take her to Calcutta for medical advice and treatment. +Their only child was a daughter who was the darling of their household. +The second favourite in the family was a boy called Ram, who though +really a servant was treated like a son of the house and both Mr. and +Mrs. Bose were very fond of him.</p> +<p>When quite a small boy, Ram had been taken into service in the Bose +menagé; and as his parents were both dead and he was remarkably +quick and intelligent, the zemindar took a fatherly interest in the lad +and had him taught to read and write. The teacher thought so highly of +Ram’s intellect that he was taught one subject after another by +his <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1042" href="#xd20e1042" name= +"xd20e1042">60</a>]</span>indulgent master, and when he grew older, was +especially educated and trained for estate work. When his education was +finished he was appointed to be confidential clerk and cashier, and +gradually grew to know as much of Bose’s money affairs as the +zemindar did himself. Whenever the rich man went on his estate, Ram +went with him. At times of collection, Ram had the office of counting +the silver and locking it up in the cash box. Frequently thousands of +rupees passed through his hands in this way, and he alone always knew +what amount of money the cash box contained.</p> +<p>One year, Bose and the faithful Ram had been round the zemindari, +collecting rents; and, as many who had been in arrears paid up, they +returned with a larger sum of money than usual. This was locked up in +the cash box and Bose told his wife in Ram’s hearing that next +day he should deposit it in the bank. The cash box was always kept at +night on a table by the zemindar’s bed-side.</p> +<p>The Boses had a large house in Lucknow and it was nearly always +full, as Mrs. Bose was fond of company and they invariably had a number +of relatives and friends staying with them. Mr. and Mrs. Bose slept +upstairs in a large south room, which <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1048" href="#xd20e1048" name="xd20e1048">61</a>]</span>opened +into another large room alongside of it. The only furniture in their +room was their two beds and a table which stood between the beds to +hold the cash box and a lantern.</p> +<p>The night of the zemindar’s return, his wife could not sleep. +She had been ill and she counted the hours as the night wore on. The +light of the lantern showed her husband’s sleeping form, the +naked sword which always hung at his bedpost, and the bare white-washed +walls of the room. As she lay awake, Mrs. Bose thought she heard a +noise at the door leading into the other room. The noise came again and +she listened intently. Some one opened the door and then shut it. Mrs. +Bose kept still, listened and watched. Some one again opened and shut +the door gently, then again and again. It struck Mrs. Bose that this +was being done to ascertain whether the inmates of the room were asleep +or awake. She continued to keep perfectly still.</p> +<p>Now the door was pushed wide open and Ram entered, and closed the +door softly behind him. When Mrs. Bose saw him enter, her first thought +was that he was the bearer of some bad news, and she very nearly asked +him what was the matter. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1054" href= +"#xd20e1054" name="xd20e1054">62</a>]</span>But his stealthy movements +made her feign sleep and see what he was about; and as he approached +her bed on tiptoe, she closed her eyes and lay as if peacefully +sleeping. He stood beside the bed apparently watching her. Mrs. +Bose’s nerves were tingling with fear, and it took all her powers +of self-control to keep her eyes closed and her breath steady. Just as +the effort seemed more than she could keep up, Ram moved away from her +bed.</p> +<p>Through her eye-lashes she watched him creep noiselessly to the +table and examine the cash box. Then he returned to the side of her bed +and coughed. Mrs. Bose again succeeded in keeping perfectly still and +he moved round to his master’s bedside. Here he stood motionless +for some seconds and then unfastened the sword. The zemindar was +sleeping heavily and as he detached the sword Ram smiled to himself as +if everything was very satisfactory. He grasped the sword in his right +hand and made a trial stroke. Then, smiling again, he lifted the +curtain of the zemindar’s bed with his left hand.</p> +<p>Mrs. Bose felt sure that his motive was murder as well as robbery, +and she now shrieked loudly for aid. At the first sound of her voice +Ram dropped the sword and fled from the room. His wife’s +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1060" href="#xd20e1060" name= +"xd20e1060">63</a>]</span>piercing screams of “Murder! +Help!” woke the zemindar, but by the time he understood what had +taken place Ram had let himself out of the house and was gone.</p> +<p>When morning came the police were informed and the zemindar offered +a handsome reward for the arrest of Ram; but though the police hunted +in Lucknow and elsewhere and also searched the village where +Ram’s relatives lived, no one knew anything of him and he was +never again heard of in Lucknow.</p> +<p>Some years after, the old zemindar died and one of the last remarks +he made was: “I should like to know what has happened to poor +Ram.” He had never forgotten his affection for his old protege, +and had quite forgiven him for his ungratefulness. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1067" href="#xd20e1067" name= +"xd20e1067">65</a>]</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="div0"> +<h2>Tiger Stories</h2> +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1071" href="#xd20e1071" name= +"xd20e1071">67</a>]</span> +<div id="ch12" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>The Bearer’s Fate</h2> +<p>Mr. Gupta, a Bengali gentleman, was a skilled engineer. The +Government thought highly of him and whenever any work of special +difficulty had to be undertaken, always chose him.</p> +<p>At one time he was stationed at Hazaribagh. This district is even +now infested with tigers, and in those far-off days these lords of the +jungle roamed far and wide.</p> +<p>There was then no railway. Travelling was done by <i>palki</i> or by +“push-push”—-a box-like carriage on four wheels, in +which the traveller was forced to recline, and which relays of coolies +pushed before them. The roads were often mere tracks through dense +forest.</p> +<p>It happened that Mr. Gupta was ordered to report on some important +work a few miles away. His devoted wife carefully packed his luggage. +They were a happy couple and each short parting was a pain in their +lives. A trustworthy old servant always accompanied his master to camp. +But to-day to his mistress’ surprise he begged not to go. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1086" href="#xd20e1086" name= +"xd20e1086">68</a>]</span></p> +<p>When Gupta came in, his wife told him of the man’s +unwillingness to accompany him.</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” said Gupta, “he will have to go. What +has happened to him?”</p> +<p>“I think he is ill” the wife excusingly replied, her +tender heart full of the man’s wistful face and strange manner. +Still she agreed with her husband and told the bearer, he must go with +his master.</p> +<p>“Forgive me, I have high fever, <i>Ma-ji</i>,” he +shivered, addressing her by the honoured name of mother, as is the +custom of Indian servants in an Indian household.</p> +<p>She turned again to her husband who said: “I know what is in +the poor old fellow’s mind. He has an idea he will be killed by a +tiger. However, tell him there is no danger. I am taking a large number +of bearers and he can keep near the <i>palki</i>.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Gupta tried to cheer the servant with this information but he +wailed: “<i>Ma-ji</i>, I am afraid. Surely a tiger will kill me +to-night.”</p> +<p>“Do not fear,” consoled the kind lady. “Your +master will take good care of you.” “Go you must,” +she continued in a firm tone. “There is no one except you who +knows his ways and can see to his comfort. Now get ready +quickly.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1111" href= +"#xd20e1111" name="xd20e1111">69</a>]</span></p> +<p>“Oh, <i>Ma-ji</i>,” he sobbed like a child, “I +obey, but my heart is heavy.”</p> +<p>Mr. Gupta had to travel through the night. After an early dinner he +started, attended by many <i>palki</i>-bearers and the old servant. The +moon rose bright and glorious and bathed the picturesque country in +soft radiance. The silence of the forest was broken only by the +rhythmic cries of the bearers and the <i>pat-pat</i> of their feet. The +first stream was reached and the bearers asked for a halt. Consent +granted, they went into the stream to drink of the deeper water. The +old servant crouched by the <i>palki</i>.</p> +<p>“Thirstest not?” kindly asked his master.</p> +<p>“<i>Babu-ji</i>, I feel nervous. I will stay near +you.”</p> +<p>Gupta wondered what might have unstrung the man, and felt sorry for +him. “Come and sit close to me,” he said.</p> +<p>The night was cold and the old bearer, huddled in his blanket, sat +on the edge of the <i>palki</i> door.</p> +<p>Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a rapid crash +through the dry grass near the <i>palki</i>, and with a thrilling roar +a tiger leapt at the man and dragged him away. The <i>palki</i> shook, +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1150" href="#xd20e1150" name= +"xd20e1150">70</a>]</span>and the bearer’s piteous cry +“<i>Babu-ji, Babu-ji,</i> I told you” filled the forest, +and echoed and echoed again as the tiger bore him away. Then all became +still.</p> +<p>Gupta realised what had happened. He lay back sick with horror, and +felt as if he were the guilty one. For many a day the old man’s +dying wail rang in his ears. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1157" +href="#xd20e1157" name="xd20e1157">71</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch13" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Through the Roof</h2> +<p>They were laying the railway through the Hazaribagh district, and in +a low-roofed bungalow at Giridih lived the Engineer in charge of the +work. He was a young Englishman and his only recreation in this dreary +place was riding and shooting.</p> +<p>The coolies lived in frail little mat houses in the same enclosure +as his bungalow. One morning they came to him in a body to tell him +that during the night a tiger had carried off one of their cows. The +next morning another cow was missing, and on the third his servants +awakened him with the news that his Arab pony was gone.</p> +<p>He loved the little animal. Many a mile had he scoured on its back. +“Stripes” must be punished for this. He would sit up the +coming night and watch.</p> +<p>Babus, servants and coolies loudly approved. What was life worth +with such nightly happenings? and the lord of the jungle would surely +come again. Had he not discovered a well-filled larder?</p> +<p>Work over, the young man loaded his gun, and <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1171" href="#xd20e1171" name= +"xd20e1171">72</a>]</span>after dinner took up his position and awaited +the enemy. A reliable servant sat up with him.</p> +<p>The bungalow was raised on piles a few feet from the ground. It had +brick walls but a thatched roof which sloped very low down on all +sides. The wooden windows were closed. Our friend sat at one of them +with the Venetians slightly stretched. The bungalow was dark and +still.</p> +<p>At last a strange odour filled the air and then the heavy breathing +of the tiger was audible. It came and stood just outside the window. +The young fellow noiselessly pointed his gun through the Venetians and +fired. An angry growl told that the tiger was wounded. Then it charged +forward with a furious roar. The Englishman fired again and this time +thought he had finished it. But the animal charged again with increased +rage. After several attempts at the window it leapt for the roof and +succeeded in clutching the eaves and scrambled up. The terrified +servant cried: “Saheb, come into another room”.</p> +<p>“Don’t be a fool!” shouted his master, “the +tiger can’t come through the roof.”</p> +<p>In their huts the poor coolies heard the shots and the terrible +roars and growls and dared not come <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1181" href="#xd20e1181" name="xd20e1181">73</a>]</span>to their +master’s assistance. The tiger tore and scratched the thatch with +all his might and soon made a hole. “Look! Saheb!” screamed +the servant, “he comes through”.</p> +<p>“I have a loaded gun in my hand”, the Saheb replied.</p> +<p>The hole speedily grew larger as the great cat clawed and growled. +The servant could stand it no longer. He bolted into the next room, +shutting the door between. There he shivered and shook till morning, +when he fled to the railway station a couple of miles away and told the +Sahibs there his tale. They got guns and horses and rode over. They +peered through the shutters and saw the tiger in the room. It soon +scented them and charged with a mighty roar. They retreated without +dignity to a safe distance where all stopped. One said, “I say! +we must see what has happened to the poor chap”. Another: +“So many of us and loaded guns! We must do something”. A +third: “let’s get back and kill the beast”.</p> +<p>They went back and fired shot after shot through the shutters till +the animal was killed. Then they broke into the room and found their +luckless comrade dead on the floor, his loaded gun <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1190" href="#xd20e1190" name= +"xd20e1190">74</a>]</span>still in his hand. The tiger must have killed +him with a slap of its mighty paw, and sat on his body all night, but +clearly the animal was not a man-eater. <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1192" href="#xd20e1192" name="xd20e1192">79</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch14" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>Earning the Reward</h2> +<p>A man-eating tiger was roaming through Hazaribagh station. It had +killed many villagers and had become so daring that it entered the +market-place in broad day-light.</p> +<p>A poor old tailor on his way home one evening was seized by the +blood-thirsty animal, and his screams for help filled the little town. +The morning light showed traces of the struggle between man and beast, +and where the latter had been dragged from the main road.</p> +<p>The villagers did <i>puja</i> that night that all might be saved +from a like fate. A few days after, a ploughman and a little boy stood +talking about the tiger. “How do you know that he won’t +catch you?” asked the boy.</p> +<p>The ploughman answered confidently: “I have done +<i>puja</i>”. Barely had the words passed his lips than the tiger +leapt upon him. The boy was startled, but not realising his own danger +not only did he not run but also caught up a stick and tried to save +his friend. In spite of his hitting it the animal began to devour the +unfortunate man, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1210" href= +"#xd20e1210" name="xd20e1210">76</a>]</span>snarling threateningly the +while. Then the boy threw away the stick and fled to the village. The +news roused the villagers and they determined to try to rid themselves +of their foe. Armed with spears, sticks and heavy bamboos they followed +the boy to the scene of the tragedy. But the tiger was gone.</p> +<p>The Government had offered a handsome reward to any one who would +succeed in killing this tiger and now a poor shop-keeper determined to +win it. He knew nothing of shooting but worked up the ambition of a +friend who could shoot and had a couple of guns. Together they essayed +the difficult job. Difficult it was. The tiger seldom returned to his +kill, nor stopped at a kill any length of time, and was known to have +killed three or four victims in one day.</p> +<p>However they hoped for success. The villagers had been very careful +of late and the tiger had consequently been obliged to go hungry. It +was just possible he might return to the kill. So they got permission +for a mangled body to be left there, and built a <i>machan</i> near it. +At sunset they took up their places and watched.</p> +<p>At first the pair felt cheerful. A brilliant <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1221" href="#xd20e1221" name= +"xd20e1221">77</a>]</span>moon illuminated the whole country making +everything as clear as day. But no tiger came. And later, as the hours +dragged on, their cramped position, the nearness of a dead body, the +silence and mystery of the night, all got on their nerves, and they +wished they had not attempted such a task. But to leave now would be +dangerous. So they did their best to encourage each other and waited +on.</p> +<p>In the small hours of the night they distinctly heard the tiger +coming and saw a huge black shadow moving stealthily towards their +tree. The animal looked enormous in the uncertain light and each +thought the <i>machan</i> too low and wished himself in his house in +the village. Neither dared to speak or move.</p> +<p>Not far from the <i>machan</i> was a hillock. The tiger, after +stalking round the tree, went to the corpse, smelled it, and then +crossing to the hillock climbed up and sat himself there. The men felt +sure he could now see them.</p> +<p>The tiger began to sniff as if he scented them. Then it yawned and +snarled. The men sat fascinated. Presently the great head turned +towards them. The shopman pulled the trigger of the gun <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1235" href="#xd20e1235" name= +"xd20e1235">78</a>]</span>he held. There was a deafening roar and the +tiger disappeared from the hillock. Then all became still. They knew by +the roar of pain that he was hit. Tigers are clever and often feign +death when wounded. They dared not descend. They were not sure that he +was killed. At any moment he might attack their tree. Comrades in +enterprise and fear, they sat gripping each other in the darkness, for +the moon had now set.</p> +<p>The villagers had heard the shot and at day-break came to the spot. +They found the tiger lying dead at the foot of the hillock. The heroes +could barely descend from the <i>machan</i>, so stiff and aching were +their bones. Together they received the plaudits of the village and +shared the Government reward which to them was quite a small fortune. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1243" href="#xd20e1243" name= +"xd20e1243">79</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch15" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Burmese Monster</h2> +<p>Some years ago Government sent an engineer and party to explore and +prospect in the forests of Burma. None returned. Their disappearance +was a mystery.</p> +<p>The authorities decided to send another party to ascertain the fate +of the first and continue the work. To induce volunteers, a handsome +salary was offered; and at length an Englishman came forward. He asked +for twice the number of native attendants that the first man had had. +Government granted him his request and provided him with every facility +procurable and he started.</p> +<p>He followed the course taken by his predecessor up a large river. He +travelled in a big boat and his men in smaller ones. Here and there +they came upon traces of the former party. They pushed on. Suddenly all +indications of the missing ones ceased. He felt he had better stop and +investigate. Tents were landed and pitched and the men began to prepare +their evening meal.</p> +<p>As he sat in his tent reading, he heard loud shouts and some of his +coolies rushed to him. They <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1255" +href="#xd20e1255" name="xd20e1255">80</a>]</span>said that as they were +cooking they saw a great black thing hanging from a tree above them. +When they made a noise it disappeared. It was long and thick and black. +The coolies were frightened out of their wits and refused to remain in +that place. Argument was of no use; so the tents were taken down and +the party moved on.</p> +<p>Another spot was selected and here they stayed peacefully for some +days. Suddenly a man was missing. Then another and another! Each +disappeared when alone. The coolies were frightened and uneasy. But +this time the Sahib managed to control them. He himself was anxious and +puzzled.</p> +<p>Next a coolie who had gone to the river to scour vessels after a +meal disappeared. The plates and <i>lotas</i> were scattered about just +as if he had been suddenly seized. The Englishman thought that a +crocodile must have taken him off.</p> +<p>Soon after this incident the engineer was fishing in the river +opposite to the camp, and he noticed two coolies coming to the river. +They sat down at the <i>ghat</i> and began to scour their vessels. The +murmur of their voices reached him.</p> +<p>Presently the boatman clutched his arm and <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1271" href="#xd20e1271" name= +"xd20e1271">81</a>]</span>pointed to the bank. He looked. One of the +coolies was chasing a huge hairy monster. The other could not be +seen.</p> +<p>The engineer soon crossed the river and joined the coolie, still in +the chase after the strange creature. As usual, the Saheb carried a +loaded revolver and as he ran he fired several shots at the animal. +They had no effect on it. The beast ran on with heavy lumbering +strides, covering the ground with great rapidity and only once glancing +back over its shoulders with a horrible grin. He could not overtake it +and it disappeared into the thick jungle. Its hair was so long that it +completely covered the man it carried in its powerful arms. It was some +kind of an orang-outang.</p> +<p>The mystery was now cleared up. The engineer returned. His task was +accomplished. Later he wrote an account of this adventure and concluded +with these words:—“Now when I see a great hairy spider I +tremble! and the remembrance of that monstrous black form returns to +me, and the hideous grin that thrilled me. Never can I forget +it.” <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1277" href="#xd20e1277" +name="xd20e1277">82</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch16" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>The Palki and the Tiger</h2> +<p>In a lonely village in the Hazaribagh district the peaceful dwellers +were one evening disturbed by shrill cries of distress. When they +gathered round the house from whence the cries came, they discovered +that a ghastly murder had been committed. The headman of the village +immediately despatched two messengers for the police. These men started +in the dawn and reached the Police outpost just before sunset.</p> +<p>The Inspector-in-charge was a Bengalee, named Bose, who was a very +intelligent officer and keen on his work. As soon as he received +information of the murder, he ordered one of his staff to arrange for a +<i>push-push</i> (carriage which is partly drawn and partly pushed by +men) and a set of bearers. He quickly put together a few requisites for +the journey, and was soon ready. The night was not far advanced when +the orderly returned with a <i>push-push</i> and eight bearers, and +Bose started off, attended by his cook and body-servant.</p> +<p>The road lay through a forest. At times the path was so narrow and +rocky that the men could <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1293" href= +"#xd20e1293" name="xd20e1293">83</a>]</span>make little progress, and +at last they declared that the road was impassable for a wheeled +conveyance, and that it was necessary for the Inspector to change into +a <i>palki</i>. One of them said that about two miles off the road +there was a village, and that in the village there lived a rich +Hindustani merchant who might lend a <i>palki</i>. Bose was pleased at +the suggestion and told the <i>push-push</i> bearers to take him to the +village. They needed no second bidding, and the Inspector was soon +being trundled across the paddy fields that lay between the village and +the road. Arrived there, he hastened to the merchant’s house and +asked to see him.</p> +<p>A handsome up-countryman came out and when, he saw that his visitor +was a gentleman he courteously asked him to enter and be seated. The +Inspector soon explained his necessity for a <i>palki</i>, and the rich +man placed his at the disposal of the police officer. “But +<i>Jenab</i> (Sir),” he said, “tigers are bad in this +forest and you have to pass through a part known to be a favourite +haunt of theirs. Have you any fire-arms?”</p> +<p>“Only my revolver,” said Bose “but I must push on +and take my chance.” And as the <i>palki</i> now stood ready and +the bearers declared themselves <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1317" href="#xd20e1317" name="xd20e1317">84</a>]</span>refreshed, +he thanked his host for his ready assistance, bade him farewell and +started once again.</p> +<p>The bearers were full of spirits after their rest at the +merchant’s house and for a mile or two travelled at a rapid pace; +but the narrow winding road impeded their progress, and as the night +advanced the eerie sounds of the forest must have got on their nerves. +At the commencement of the journey they had beguiled the march with +stories of tigers and bears met in the forest, but after some hours of +travel they became silent; and beyond the usual directions of the +forward men concerning the road and occasionally a shrill cry to scare +away wild animals, they made no remarks to each other.</p> +<p>Within the <i>palki</i>, Bose lay fitfully dozing. The night was +oppressive and his thoughts were on the murder and his chances of a +successful capture of the wrong-doer. The road had become wider and +level and the men were going along at a good pace, when suddenly they +dropped the <i>palki</i> to the ground and fled in all directions. Bose +shouted: “What is up? Why have you run away?” No answer +greeted his ears but a strange odour penetrated his nostrils and he +knew there was a tiger in the jungle. He quickly pulled the doors of +the <i>palki</i> jamming <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1332" href= +"#xd20e1332" name="xd20e1332">85</a>]</span>them as securely as he +could with the ends of his <i>razai</i> (quilt). Then he tore the +strong border off his <i>dhoti</i> (loin cloth) and commenced to bind +the handles of the doors together. He had just finished firmly lashing +together the handles on one side when he heard an ominous growling. +With frantic haste he bound the handles of the opposite doors together, +praying fervently that he might escape the jaws of the tiger.</p> +<p>The animal continued growling. Evidently the dark bulk of the +<i>palki</i> frightened him. Bose sat inside, huddled in a heap and +breathless. The tiger, re-assured by the stillness of the object before +him, ceased growling; and presently, the soft thud of his feet and his +sniffing round the <i>palki</i> told the trembling man within that +’Stripes’ was making an investigation.</p> +<p>Now a mighty roar shook the jungles and Bose realised that the tiger +had leapt upon the roof of the <i>palki</i> and was scratching +furiously at it. Bose clutched the handles of the doors and held on to +them with the grip of despair. The tiger scratched and growled and +finally bounded off the top and began a vigorous assault upon the side. +The <i>palki</i> toppled over on to its other side. Poor Bose +congratulated <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1357" href= +"#xd20e1357" name="xd20e1357">86</a>]</span>himself that now one of the +doors rested upon Mother Earth and he could give his whole energy to +defending the other. He gripped the handles with renewed determination +and waited.</p> +<p>The tiger had sustained a shock at seeing the unknown monster he was +tackling roll over, and for a time satisfied himself by growling +savagely. But as the monster lay still “Stripes” tried the +experiment of a sharp blow with his paw. The <i>palki</i> rested on +uneven ground and the blow made it rock. The tiger waited awhile; and +when the rocking had subsided administered another stroke. The +<i>palki</i> rocked again. The situation now developed into a game +between the huge cat and the <i>palki</i>. When he slapped the +<i>palki</i> rocked; and when the <i>palki</i> ceased vibrating the +tiger slapped again. Inside the <i>palki</i>, the Inspector held on to +the handles of the door and prayed for deliverance.</p> +<p>At last the tiger, wearied of the game and purring loudly, walked +away. Bose breathed more freely but knew not if the danger was past. +There he lay gripping the handles of the door and wishing for daylight. +At last the dawn broke and with the first rays of light courage +returned to the bearers and servants, who were hiding in the branches +of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1383" href="#xd20e1383" name= +"xd20e1383">87</a>]</span>the surrounding trees. They called to each +other, expressing anxiety as to their master’s fate. Finally, as +the daylight grew stronger they encouraged each other to descend and +approach the <i>palki</i>.</p> +<p>As they examined it with wonder some very cutting remarks from +within assured them of their master’s existence, and with many +apologies for the abrupt way in which they had abandoned him they +righted the <i>palki</i> and assisted him out.</p> +<p>The journey was soon resumed and Bose had the satisfaction of +arresting the murderer in spite of his ill-timed adventure and forced +delay. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1395" href="#xd20e1395" name= +"xd20e1395">88</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch17" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>An Assam Adventure</h2> +<p>Some years ago, an English baron came out to India to enjoy some +tiger shooting. He received invitations to many Native States, and was +having a right royal time. In the course of his wanderings he came to +Assam. In those days, the jungles of Assam swarmed with tigers but a +“man-eater” was very rarely known there.</p> +<p>Sir M. was in a small camp with just two or three other guns, and +all were hopeful of “bagging” a tiger, for the roaring of +the lords of the jungle could be heard almost every night. The tents +had been pitched on the bank of a river and all round the camp and on +the opposite bank was heavy jungle. Wild animals abounded in these +jungles and the camp servants did not appreciate the site. No sooner +had the Sahebs finished their dinner than the servants disappeared into +their tents, and securing themselves within, as strongly as they could, +devoutly hoped that the morning light would find them still alive and +unharmed.</p> +<p>One evening Sir M. retired to his own tent immediately after dinner. +He was very tired but <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1405" href= +"#xd20e1405" name="xd20e1405">89</a>]</span>as he was not sleepy, he +made himself comfortable and settled down on a long-sleeved chair with +a book. His tent was a small one, with a camp cot, a couple of chairs +and a table. On the table stood a reading lamp. M. was soon absorbed in +his book and did not notice how the hours fled. The camp became quiet +and still. It was a dark close night and the door of his tent stood +open, for he was a lover of air. He had read on for some time when his +attention was drawn to a movement of his tent wall. It seemed to him as +if some one or something was rubbing along the side. He put down his +book and got on to his feet to see what it could be. As he was about to +step forward the head of a tiger loomed in the doorway, the eyes +gleaming brightly. Sir M. stood motionless with surprise and +“Stripes” stepped into the tent. He was a fine specimen of +a Royal Bengal tiger, and M. forgot everything in his admiration of the +noble animal.</p> +<p>The table with the lamp upon it stood between Sir M. and the tiger, +and each stood on either side of it gazing at each other. As the silent +seconds passed, Sir M. realized that he was in danger and bethought him +of his rifle which was almost within reach of his hand; but he dared +not move and so <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1409" href= +"#xd20e1409" name="xd20e1409">90</a>]</span>continued gazing +steadfastly at his visitor. The tiger too stood, surveying his +vis-a-vis and then began to move round the table. The lamp either +attracted or annoyed him and he raised his paw to the table. The weight +of the huge paw tilted the table, the lamp toppled and fell with a +crash. The terrified tiger gave a mighty roar, turned tail and +fled.</p> +<p>The camp was aroused. Everyone shouted and rushed out into the +night, armed with some weapon or other. Sir M. related to his brother +guns what had happened and they all enjoyed a good laugh and rather +envied him for the fine sight he had of such a superb specimen of the +kings of the jungle. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1413" href= +"#xd20e1413" name="xd20e1413">91</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch18" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Thrilling Story</h2> +<p>One evening, in Assam, a young Englishman was driving along a lonely +jungle road. He wished to visit a neighbouring Saheb; and though his +servants had warned him that tigers had been frequently seen on that +particular road, he had laughed at their fears and told them that the +only tiger to be feared was a “man-eater”, and that there +were no “man-eating” tigers about that district. As usual +in the mofussil of India, he was going out to dine and sleep, and his +bearer had put up his clothes and his suit case was stowed into the +dog-cart.</p> +<p>The road was a good one and considerably wide, for it was the main +thoroughfare in the district and along it tea, jute and all other +agricultural products were transported to the river for export to other +districts of India and also to Europe. Nevertheless it was bordered on +either side by dense jungle, and there were few villages in its +vicinity. After sunset it was a road little frequented by villagers and +it had the reputation of being tiger-haunted. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1421" href="#xd20e1421" name= +"xd20e1421">92</a>]</span></p> +<p>There was no moon and, as B. had not started much before sunset, +darkness soon overtook him on the road. As he had no <i>syce</i> with +him he got down to light the trap-lamps and jumped in and drove on +again very cheerily. He was not far from where he must turn off the +main road to the narrow one leading to his friend’s estate, when +the pony suddenly took fright at something and bolted. At first B. +tried to pull the animal up; but its erect ears and wild snorting +showed him that there was cause for alarm. He looked over his shoulder +and in the dim starlight discerned the bulk of some animal in pursuit +of them. An eerie feeling came over him and he wondered what was going +to happen. He sat tight in his seat and let the pony race on. The chase +continued and the pony began to show signs of collapse. It was +evidently being overcome by fear and, in spite of all B.’s +urging, could not keep up the pace, and the pursuing animal gained upon +them. B. had just determined to leap from the cart when the pony +tripped and fell and B. was shot out of the cart. He fell into the long +grass on the side of the road, and had barely collected himself when a +dark form sprang upon the pony.</p> +<p>The poor animal neighed with fear but kicked <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1429" href="#xd20e1429" name= +"xd20e1429">93</a>]</span>and fought its foe. B. rolled down the side +of the road and began to crawl away through the jungle as fast as he +could. Long grass and thorny brambles grew on either side of the road +and as it was the dry season every movement of his made a crackling and +rustling; and often he fancied he heard an animal in pursuit of him, or +he would imagine he was about to meet one coming through the jungle +towards him. He pressed on as fast as he could, sometimes crawling and +sometimes walking, and at last he saw the glimmer of lights and came to +some huts. He shouted to the inmates who came to his assistance.</p> +<p>When they discovered a Saheb in such a plight they were full of +concern, helped him to their huts, gave him hot milk to drink and +washed his wounds. His clothes were torn and his hands and knees +bleeding from his flight through the thorny jungle. The sympathising +villagers emptied a hut for him to rest in, and when morning came +escorted him to the scene of his mishap.</p> +<p>The mangled remains of his poor pony told him that the wild animal +had been a very famished tiger. B. returned to his own bungalow a wiser +man, and told his servants that, had he taken their <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1435" href="#xd20e1435" name= +"xd20e1435">94</a>]</span>advice, he would not have suffered such an +adventure or the loss of his pony. He rewarded the villagers for their +kindness and hospitality and for a long time his escape was the talk of +the district. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1437" href= +"#xd20e1437" name="xd20e1437">95</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch19" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Cachar Tiger</h2> +<p>In the province of Assam lies a fertile and picturesque valley +called Cachar. Shut in on north, south and east by lofty hills, this +valley remained hidden for centuries and was never conquered by any of +the Mahommedan rulers of India.</p> +<p>Here a race of aboriginal kings held sway, and it was the East India +Company who first became masters of this hilly corner of Bengal. In +1830, the last of the old Cachari kings died without heir, and +“Company Bahadoor” took possession of the little +kingdom.</p> +<p>In 1855, the discovery of the tea-plant, growing wild in the +jungles, opened out a new industry, and soon the low-lying hills, +knolls and undulating plains of the little valley became gradually +clear of jungle, and covered instead with row after row of +carefully-kept and trim tea bushes. To-day acres upon acres of tea are +grown in Cachar; and the inland steamers, which ply all through the +rainy season up and down the wide-rolling stream of the <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1447" href="#xd20e1447" name= +"xd20e1447">96</a>]</span>river Barak, bring down for export millions +of pounds of tea for the “cheering cup”.</p> +<p>Cachar is rich in forests, and tigers and other wild animals are +there in plenty. During the monsoon the jungle animals retreat to the +higher levels of the forest-clad hills. But when the rains abate they +begin to gradually descend; and when the great “hoars” or +fenlands dry up at the approach of the cold season, numerous tigers +take up their winter haunts in the patches of jungle, which grow here +and there in the marsh lands, and in the forests which often surround +or separate the tea gardens.</p> +<p>It was cold-weather time about forty years ago, and four planters +sat talking after dinner in the Manager’s bungalow on a tea +garden in Cachar. We will call them M., B., C. and H.</p> +<p>The bungalow, like many bungalows in tea districts, stood on a high +hill, the steep sides of which had been terraced and planted with tea. +On adjacent but lower hills stood the factory and coolie lines. +Everything was quiet and lay wrapped in a heavy fog.</p> +<p>In the verandah near the steps sat the bungalow <i>chowkidar</i> +(watchman). The charity of the Tea Company had provided him and his +fellow-coolies <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1460" href= +"#xd20e1460" name="xd20e1460">97</a>]</span>with blankets. And he wore +his in the usual <i>pachim</i> (North-West Provinces) style: one end of +the blanket is pleated and tied closely with a piece of string, the +short part above the cord forming a tuft. The wearer pulls the pleated +end of the blanket over his head, the tuft resting on his crown. The +sides of the blanket are drawn round the body, and thus the blanket is +made to form both a hood and a cloak, in which the wearer hugs himself +against the inclemency of the weather.</p> +<p>The <i>chowkidar</i> sat on his mat huddled up in his blanket, +droning one of the time-honoured <i>bhajans</i> (hymns) of India.</p> +<p>Presently he disappeared and, next, piercing yells rent the +mist-laden atmosphere. The four Sahebs were in the verandah in a trice, +and soon discovered the <i>chowkidar</i> returning to the verandah, +visibly shaken and without his blanket.</p> +<p>“What is the matter, and who shouted?” asked the +Manager.</p> +<p>“Saheb,” the <i>chowkidar</i> replied in a quavering +voice “a tiger sprang on me and caught the knot of my +blanket.”</p> +<p>“Here!” interrupted the four Englishmen incredulously. +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1488" href="#xd20e1488" name= +"xd20e1488">98</a>]</span></p> +<p>“Yes, <i>Huzoor</i> (Your Honour), as I sat here against this +post the tiger came, seized the knot of my blanket and began to pull. +Like lightning I made my plan. I grasped with a strong tight hold the +sides of the blanket and holding myself together like a ball I let Lord +Tiger pull. He dragged me to the edge of the <i>tila</i> (hill). There +I suddenly let go the blanket and shouted with all my might. The tiger +fell over, down the hill, and is gone.”</p> +<p>Sure enough, there were the foot-marks of the tiger, the mark of the +drag, and the signs of where “Stripes” had slipped over and +down the terrace.</p> +<p>The tiger had been harrying the coolies for some time and a rumour +had got about that he was a man-eater. It was pretty certain that he +would come again the next night; so the planters determined to sit up +and shoot him.</p> +<p>On the following night after dinner M. B. C. and H. took their +positions on the verandah. Each had his loaded gun and all waited +patiently for the tiger. Time passed. It was weary work and they +dozed.</p> +<p>M.’s dog had wandered off to the kitchen as usual after +dinner. After some time it returned hurriedly and ran up the steps of +the verandah, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1505" href= +"#xd20e1505" name="xd20e1505">99</a>]</span>barking in a frightened +manner. The dog’s barking woke the four men. B. sat first near +the steps and H. not far from him in a dining-room chair.</p> +<p>The dog ran into the dining-room and hid himself under the table and +everything again became quiet, and the men waited. Suddenly a hoarse +cry paralysed three of them. “He’s on me. Shoot.”</p> +<p>The tiger had come up on to the verandah and springing at B. caught +him by the arm. Then, releasing the arm, he made a spring at his +victim’s throat. B. was instantly on his feet and, as the tiger +essayed his throat, he rammed his clenched fist into the animal’s +mouth. The tiger shook the man’s fist out of its mouth and made +another attempt to reach his throat. B. repeated his manoeuvre. This +happened three or four times.</p> +<p>In the meantime the other three men dared not shoot for fear of +missing the ferocious cat and killing their comrade. H. had the +presence of mind to swiftly fix his bayonet, and, rushing towards the +tiger, he thrust it in the animal’s side, firing as he did so. +The tiger fell backwards off the verandah mortally wounded, but to the +amazement <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1513" href="#xd20e1513" +name="xd20e1513">100</a>]</span>of the Sahebs struggled tip and made +another attempt to get at B. He was however too badly wounded and fell +back dead.</p> +<p>B.’s hand and arm were terribly mauled, and after medical +treatment he had to go home on long leave. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1517" href="#xd20e1517" name= +"xd20e1517">101</a>]</span></p> +</div> +<div id="ch20" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">[<a href= +"#toc">Contents</a>]</span> +<h2>A Maharajah’s Adventures</h2> +<p>A Maharajah of Bengal who became a noted sportsman shot his first +tiger when he was quite a small boy. When about twelve years of age he +went out on a shoot one cold weather on his estate. He was accompanied +by some of his relatives, and they encamped in one of the forest +bungalows. This bungalow was just an ordinary Assam house built on a +<i>chang</i> or raised platform. It consisted of a large centre room +with a bedroom on either side and a deep verandah in the front, where +the servants slept at night. Under large trees, some little distance +away, the elephants were chained, and not far off were stables for the +horses.</p> +<p>The Maharajah shared his room with a friend, a lad about two years +older than himself. One night between ten and eleven o’clock, +when all were in bed and asleep after a tiring day and an early dinner, +the near roaring of a tiger awakened the camp. In a twinkling the +servants had transferred themselves and their bedding from the verandah +into the centre room and securely bolted the door. Roar after roar +sounded through the night, but the <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1528" href="#xd20e1528" name="xd20e1528">102</a>]</span>young +Maharajah slept the healthful and deep sleep of tired childhood and the +mighty voice of the lord of the jungle did not disturb him. His friend +was awakened by the majestic sound and lay trembling with fear; envying +his blissfully unconscious companion, until the nearness of the tiger +broke down his self-control and, vigorously shaking his bed-fellow, he +shouted in his ear: “Tiger, tiger!”</p> +<p>The young Maharajah awoke, yawned, stretched and listened. The +roaring had ceased but under the bungalow they could hear the purring +of a tiger as it rubbed itself against a post. The younger and fearless +boy laughed with glee and assured his friend that there was no danger +of the tiger getting into the bungalow, and that on the morrow they +would be easily able to track and shoot it. Soon the sounds of purring +and rubbing gave place to others, and the occupants of the bungalow +realised that more than one tiger played beneath them. Next day in the +jungle near the forest bungalow the party shot a couple of tigers, a +tigress and her cubs.</p> +<p>In later years the Maharajah became famous for his shoots and many +and varied were his adventures <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1534" +href="#xd20e1534" name="xd20e1534">103</a>]</span>and experiences. One +year he was in camp with a large party and they were out one afternoon +after buffaloes. A fine bull was driven out of a patch of thick jungle +and faced the guns with defiance in his eyes. He was a grand target and +the Maharajah’s finger ached to pull his trigger, but courtesy +forbade him and he generously, as always, left the fine prize for his +guests. But, one after another, each missed his shot and the noble bull +charged past into thicker jungle. As the line of guns attempted to +follow, one of them spied a leopard up on a tree looking thoroughly +scared. This animal had evidently been disturbed by the commotion in +the forest and had been so terrified that it had climbed into a tree +for shelter; and there, on a branch, poor “Spots” fell an +easy prey to the sportsmen.</p> +<p>One of the strangest adventures that the Maharajah had was when, +returning to camp one evening, he was informed that one of his largest +and best elephants, “Kennedy”, had got stuck in quicksand. +In many parts of Assam there are quicksands and quagmires. This +particular one chanced to be in a <i>nala</i> (stream). The elephant +had refused to cross the partially dried-up stream. <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1541" href="#xd20e1541" name= +"xd20e1541">104</a>]</span>Instinct had warned him through the tip of +his trunk that danger lurked there, but his <i>mahout</i> (driver), +anxious to get into camp after a hard day and knowing that across this +stream was a short cut, had forced him. They had advanced but a yard or +two when the huge animal began to sink, and the more he struggled and +strove to extricate himself the deeper he sank. The Maharajah hastened +to the spot as soon as he heard of the catastrophe, for +“Kennedy” was a fine and valuable elephant and a steady one +for <i>shikar</i> (shooting). At the sound of his master’s voice +poor “Kennedy” looked towards the bank, and the Maharajah +saw that great tears of anguish were rolling down the poor +beast’s face as he bellowed in an agony of fear. The Maharajah +directed the men who had gathered around the scene to fell some +saplings, which were conveyed to the <i>nala</i> by some smaller +elephant and pushed into the quagmire towards “Kennedy”. +The poor entrapped animal seemed to understand that efforts were being +made to rescue him, and he obeyed his driver’s now soothing voice +and held himself still. At last, the combined labours of men and +brother-elephants provided a safe footing of submerged saplings and +branches; and “Kennedy” pulled himself out of the +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1553" href="#xd20e1553" name= +"xd20e1553">105</a>]</span>treacherous sand and was escorted back to +the camp with great rejoicings.</p> +<p>Not long after this “Kennedy” distinguished himself in +another way, but this time evoked the displeasure and not the pity of +his good master. An engineer, named Ashton, had charge of the +<i>feilkhana</i> (elephant stables) and had once severely punished +“Kennedy”. After the manner of his kind, the elephant bore +the memory of the outrage in his heart and waited the opportunity to be +revenged. One morning the camp was astir for a shoot. The guests stood +ready outside their tents and the elephants were waiting to carry them +into the forest. Suddenly “Kennedy” charged at Ashton, who +stood a little apart from the group, and flinging him to the ground +began to roll him under his feet. The Maharajah, with wonderful +presence of mind, immediately ordered “Debraj”, a larger +and more powerful elephant than “Kennedy” and his rival in +the <i>feilkhana</i>, to the rescue. “Debraj’s” +<i>mahout</i> ordered him to charge at “Kennedy”, and, +urged forward with voice and prong; “Debraj” did so with a +good will. When “Kennedy” saw his ancient enemy charging at +him, he forgot his grudge against Ashton, and, considering that +“he who <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1566" href= +"#xd20e1566" name="xd20e1566">106</a>]</span>fights and runs away lives +to fight another day”, he bolted, with his trunk in the air. +Ashton was picked up from the dust very much shaken by his rolling and +fright but, to the astonishment of every one, in no way injured.</p> +<p>During one of his shooting expeditions, the Maharajah and his +companions decided one night that they would go out on foot at the very +break of dawn and see the animal world in the jungle; and they were +well rewarded for their adventurous spirit. In a glade of the forest +they had a magnificent sight of a large herd of bison peacefully +grazing in the dewy grass. They could hear tigers and bears passing +back through the jungles to their dens in the deeper forest, and as the +men stood there admiring the grand heads of the bison a monstrous tiger +passed along quite close to one of the party, the Maharajah’s +brother-in-law. On the bank of a river they came upon a nest of young +pythons. The guests thought it was a curious mound; but the Maharajah +recognised the reared heads of the young snakes and told his friends +what the heap was. When they came closer, they could see that the long +slimy bodies were all twisted together; and with an uncanny feeling, +the sportsmen watched these <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1570" +href="#xd20e1570" name="xd20e1570">107</a>]</span>serpents uncoil +themselves from each other and glide away and disappear through the +grass.</p> +<p>Once, after a long and fruitless day in the jungles, the Maharajah +decided he would try his luck stalking some deer that he spied on the +opposite side of a narrow strip of jungle. He accordingly left his +elephant and began to creep through the long dry bramble-choked grass +with his rifle in his hand. As he pushed his way through the thick +jungle he fancied he heard an animal breathing and then something +crackled. Intent on the deer before him, he concluded that he had +broken a twig or a branch with the end of his rifle and pushed on. As +he emerged from the thicket on the opposite side from where he had +entered, he came face to face with a group of shepherds. They stared at +him in amazement and then, recognising him as their Maharajah, fell at +his feet in rapturous joy. Accustomed as he was to demonstrations from +his people, their abandon struck him as something unusual, and he was +about to question them when they exclamed: “<i>Hoozoor, +Dharmabatar</i>, (Your Honor, Royal Master,) how did you come in safety +through that jungle?” He smiled at their wonderment and was about +to chide them gently when they <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1577" +href="#xd20e1577" name="xd20e1577">108</a>]</span>continued: “An +immense tiger has just slain one of our cows and dragged it into that +very jungle from which Your Honor has emerged.” The Maharajah now +understood that the sound he had heard as he pushed his way through the +jungle was the tiger enjoying a feed of his kill, and he felt thankful +that he had not stumbled directly upon it. Like the keen sportsman he +was, he signalled his elephant and, mounting it, secured the feasting +tiger with an easy shot.</p> +<p>One cold season, the Viceroy was enjoying a shoot on the +Maharajah’s estates. One evening, as they were dressing for +dinner, there came through the stillness of the restful air the +“twitter” of a tiger. Do many of my readers know what the +“twitter” of a tiger is? It is a sound the Monarch of the +Jungle makes and it is just like the twitter of a bird;—in fact, +some declare it <i>is</i> only the twitter of a bird. Well, on this +particular evening, the tiger must have been passing quite close to the +camp, for his “twitter” was clear and unmistakeable. The +Maharajah, with his usual courtesy, immediately bethought himself of +his guests, and invited Their Excellencies to come out into the open +and listen to the novel sound. They did, and very <span class= +"pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1584" href="#xd20e1584" name= +"xd20e1584">109</a>]</span>pleased and proud they were when they heard +the tiger’s “twitter” clearly and distinctly through +the gathering shade and stillness of the darkening night.</p> +<p>The shooting camps were invariably pitched on the bank of a river or +stream. One evening, two of the servants crossed the shallow stream in +front of the camp to enjoy some fishing. They found a suitable place +behind a mound and here they sat quietly watching their lines. The +afternoon hours passed swiftly and the sun was nearing the horizon when +their attention was simultaneously drawn to a sound above their heads. +Looking up, to their horror, they saw an immense tiger just above them. +One of them shivered with terror and, clutching his companion, said in +a hoarse whisper: “Our hour has come.” The other whispered +back: “Keep perfectly still and quiet.” Breathless, the two +watched the huge tiger descend the bank and pass majestically to the +edge of the water where he stopped to quench his thirst. It seemed to +the two trembling men that it took the Lord of the Jungle fully half an +hour to drink his fill. Then, as slowly and impressively, the tiger +turned from the stream and ascended the bank. When he reached the top +<span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1588" href="#xd20e1588" name= +"xd20e1588">110</a>]</span>he stood there, gazing before him either as +if admiring the scenery or contemplating a meal off one of the men. The +pair scarcely dared to breathe and wild schemes of taking to their +heels to gain the centre of the stream and swim down the river shot +through their brains. At last the tiger slowly turned away from the +river and disappeared into the forest. Then, after some time, the +frightened servants hurried across the stream back to camp, and told +the Maharajah of their terrible experience. The footprints of the +animal corroborated their story and their asseveration that they had +seen a very very big tiger.</p> +<p>During one of the shoots, the <i>shikaris</i> (native sportsmen) +brought news that a rhino had been seen in a certain jungle. The guests +were much excited and a beat was organised for the next day. The +morning dawned and all set out and were soon posted to their various +positions. The front “stop” guns were on the bank of a +river. The Maharajah was in the beating line. When about half way +through the piece of jungle he noticed that one of his brother guns +looked disappointed. He accordingly asked “What’s +up?” The guest answered that he thought that a large animal had +broken back. However <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1596" href= +"#xd20e1596" name="xd20e1596">111</a>]</span>nothing was discovered and +as it was mid-day a halt for lunch was considered desirable. A spot was +soon selected and the signal given and the lines broke up. Just as the +foremost elephants were about to kneel to permit their riders to +dismount, there arose from the “stop” elephants a cry of +“Tiger”. In the jungle, quite close to one of the +“stop” guns, a tiger was enjoying a feed of a wild pig; and +as the elephant turned to join the others, he almost trod on the tiger. +In a moment the line was re-organised, but the surprised tiger, finding +itself surrounded by foes, turned tail and ran down the bank of the +river. The stream was nearly dry and the bed was very shingly, and as +the startled tiger picked its way gingerly across the pebbles and pools +of water it looked like a stranded cat. It had not progressed very far +when a well-directed shot laid it low; and with this unexpected prize +the party sat down to lunch in excellent spirits. As rhino generally +fight shy of elephants, they did not think there was much use +continuing the beat after lunch. So they decided that they should make +tracks for home and have general shooting. General shooting means that +there is no beating line. A long <span class="pagenum">[<a id= +"xd20e1598" href="#xd20e1598" name="xd20e1598">112</a>]</span>straight +line of march is formed, and each gun elephant is in between the pad or +beating elephants. The Maharajah was almost the last gun in the line. +Nearly all were out of the jungle when his keen and practised eye +noticed a small pad elephant jib at something as they passed through a +piece of jungle. “Did your elephant refuse to come +through?” he questioned the <i>mahout</i> of the small elephant. +“Yes, Maharajah, he smelt something in the jungle,” the man +replied. “Beat this piece of jungle”, the Maharajah quickly +ordered the pad elephants with him. They beat it and drove forth a +rhino which fell dead to the Maharajah’s gun. Before His Highness +had time to take up his other rifle, a second galloped out of the +jungle and charged straight at the Maharajah’s elephant. The +elephant spun round to avoid the furious onslaught and in the meantime +the Maharajah managed to raise his gun and, getting in his shot in +spite of the gyrations of the elephant, laid out rhino No. 2 in grand +style to the applause of his companions.</p> +<p>Coming back to camp in the dusk one evening, the Maharajah, who had +wonderful eyesight, thought he saw a tiger lying still in an open +field. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="xd20e1605" href="#xd20e1605" name= +"xd20e1605">113</a>]</span>He raised his gun and whispered to his +<i>mahout</i>. As they came nearer, the tiger—for tiger it +was—raised itself to its feet and prepared to spring at the +elephant. Too late! Snap went the Maharajah’s trigger and the +royal beast lay dead.</p> +<p>These are but a few of the shooting adventures of a +sportsman-Maharajah who has gone on the long journey from life to the +greater life beyond, but whose memory lives in the annals of Bengal as +a keen and successful shot.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="back"> +<div class="transcribernote"> +<h2>Colophon</h2> +<h3>Availability</h3> +<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a class="exlink" title="External link" +href="http://www.gutenberg.org/">www.gutenberg.org</a>.</p> +<p>Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Distributed Proofreading Team +from page images provided by the <a class="exlink" title= +"External link" href= +"http://www.archive.org/details/BengalDacoitsAndTigers">Million Books +Project</a>.</p> +<p>Project Gutenberg catalog page: <a class="pglink" href= +"http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10928">10928</a>.</p> +<h3>Encoding</h3> +<h3>Revision History</h3> +<ul> +<li>2004-02-03 Added TEI tagging.</li> +<li>2010-01-16 Revisited.</li> +</ul> +<h3>External References</h3> +<p>This Project Gutenberg eBook contains external references. These +links may not work for you.</p> +</div> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by +Maharanee Sunity Devee + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS *** + +***** This file should be named 10928-h.htm or 10928-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/2/10928/ + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Million Book Project) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/10928-h/images/book.png b/old/10928-h/images/book.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..963d165 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10928-h/images/book.png diff --git a/old/10928-h/images/external.png b/old/10928-h/images/external.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba4f205 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10928-h/images/external.png diff --git a/old/old/10928-8.txt b/old/old/10928-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..83f6c7e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/10928-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2598 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by Maharanee Sunity Devee + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Bengal Dacoits and Tigers + +Author: Maharanee Sunity Devee + +Release Date: January 18, 2010 [EBook #10928] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS *** + + + + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Million Book Project) + + + + + + + + + + + BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS + + by + + Maharanee Sunity Devee, C.I. + of Cooch Behar + + + + +Contents + + Dacoit Stories + + The Jhee's Discovery + Trapped by a Cobra + Saved by a Bear + Raghu Dacoit + Girl as Kali-Ma + The Deputy Magistrate + All for Nothing + A Punjabee Dacoit + A Child's Experience + Two Chinese Dacoits + An Unfaithful Servant + + Tiger Stories + + The Bearer's Fate + Through the Roof + Earning the Reward + A Burmese Monster + The Palki and the Tiger + An Assam Adventure + A Thrilling Story + A Cachar Tiger + A Maharajah's Adventures + + + + + + +PART I + +Dacoit Stories + + + +The Jhee's Discovery + +It was the month of Jaishta (May-June) in Bengal, and the earth +languished under the scorching rays of the sun and sent up a voiceless +prayer to the Rain God to come soon and refresh the fields and jungles +with the welcome "barsat" (rainy season). + +Yet, in spite of the intense heat, a young and delicately nurtured +Bengali lady was travelling. She was on her way to pay a visit to +her parents-in-law, for after marriage the bride returns to her +childhood's home and remains there, paying visits from time to time +to her husband's home until the day comes when she goes to live there. + +It is a Bengali custom that ladies, especially young ladies, must +always wear their jewellery, even when travelling. Arms, wrists, +neck and ankles, bare of jewels, are a sign of widowhood or dire +poverty. Out young heroine was accordingly adorned with jewels and she +was also richly attired. Was she not the daughter of a wealthy man and +going to visit her mother-in-law? So her mother had lovingly dressed +her in an exquisite gold-embroidered Benares silk saree of finest +texture and superb workmanship, and the jewellery, which adorned her +graceful arms, neck and ankles, was in keeping with the richness of +her costume. + +Twelve bearers took turns in carrying the covered palanquin or palki +in which she travelled. They had been in her father's service for +many years and were known, to be trustworthy. A faithful jhee (maid) +accompanied her, sometimes walking beside the palki and at other +times sitting within, to fan her young mistress and help to enliven +the weary journey with tales of former travels. Two men-servants, +whom in Bengal we call durwans and who are permitted to bear arms +in defence of their masters' goods, completed the party. One of +them walked on either side of the palanquin and each carried a naked +sword in his hand. These two men were tried and trusted retainers of +the young lady's father, and were prepared to defend their master's +daughter even at the cost of their lives. + +The route lay through a lonely country district with stretches of +rice-fields scattered between, and villages nestling here and there +among groves of trees. At. one of these villages the party halted +awhile for rest and refreshment, and then on again in the fierce heat +of a close Indian day. + +Thus many miles had been passed; and the evening shades were beginning +to cool the wearisome day, when the travellers drew near to a group of +trees not far from a small tank (artificial lake). The palki-bearers +sighted this ideal resting-place and asked the jhee to inform their +young mistress of it, and beseech that they might stop there and +refresh themselves with a draught of water, after which they would +be able to travel still faster, + +A gracious consent was readily given by the fair one within the +palanquin. She had found the heat almost beyond endurance, and pitied +the bearers who had the weight of her palki and herself added to +their sufferings. + +The palanquin was gently set down under a large and shady tree, and +the durwans respectfully withdrew a little distance to permit of the +jhee raising the covering, so that their kind mistress might also +enjoy the grateful shade and coolness of the grove. + +The spot was lonely and their responsibility great, so the men decided +among themselves that they should divide into two parties. Six should +remain with the guard to protect their fair charge in case of any +untoward happening while the other six refreshed themselves at +the lake. + +This plan was no sooner agreed upon than the first six trooped off +gleefully towards the tank. The others stretched themselves in the +shade and relaxed their limbs in the interval of waiting. + +Time passed unheeded till it dawned upon some of those who waited that +they still thirsted and that the first six seemed too long away. They +asked the jhee to obtain leave for them to go and hurry the others up +and refresh themselves at the same time, so that the journey might +soon be resumed as the evening sun was nearing the horizon, and if +they delayed further night would overtake them. The young lady gave +the desired permission and the second six soon disappeared towards +the tank. They too were long away! + +The jhee felt uneasy but kept her fears to herself. Suddenly she too +disappeared. Without a word to her mistress she had decided to see what +the bearers were doing at the tank. Climbing up a tree, she crept along +an overhanging branch and a dreadful sight met her horrified gaze. Some +of the bearers lay dead in the shallow water and the surviving ones +were fighting desperately for their lives with a small band of outlaws. + +Rushing back to the palki with the utmost speed and regardless +of onlookers, she flung wide the door, screaming frantically, +"Dacoits! dacoits! run, didi (elder sister), run. With these eyes of +mine I saw them. I climbed a tree and saw them. Some of our bearers +lie dead and they are killing the others. Fly! fly for your life!" With +these words she turned and led the way with swiftness impelled by fear. + +The lonely occupant of the palanquin received the awful tidings with +horror and dismay. Often had she heard tales of dacoits and their +ruthless deeds. For a fleeting instant the thought, that she must fall +a victim to such desperados, paralysed her with fear; but only for an +instant. Her woman's wit and ingenuity moved her to action. Quickly +she divested herself of her heavy jewelled anklets. How could she +run thus weighted? and might not their value satisfy the greed of the +highwaymen? Flinging them down in the palanquin, she hastily closed +the doors and dropped the covering over its sides. Let them think +she was within. The search of the palki would delay them awhile. + +Then tucking up her rich satee she too started to run for her life. She +had gone but a few steps when the voices of the two durwans arrested +her. They had heard the jhee's distracted cry, and their only thought +was for their young mistress. + +"Didi," they said, addressing her affectionately and respectfully by +the endearing name of sister, which is a custom permitted in Bengal to +the servants of every household. In the home of her girlhood a girl is +addressed as "didi" (sister) and in her father-in-law's house as "bow" +(son's wife). Sons of the family are addressed as "dada" (brother, +strictly elder brother) and sons-in-law as "jamai". + +"Didi, fear not! As long as there is breath in these bodies we will +defend you. If the dacoits overtake us, we will guard you. No harm +shall come to you." + +Encouraged by their presence and words, the girl made all possible +speed. But her delicate feet were unused to rough, hard roads, +and, despite her will and brave efforts, she tripped and stumbled +continually. In Bengal, in the hot dry weather, the country roads +are difficult to traverse. The deep ruts of the rainy season dry up +and the once muddy earth crumbles into thick heavy dust, into which +the feet of the wayfarers sink. Fast travelling is difficult even for +those who are used to journeying, so the poor young lady made little +headway and was soon overtaken by her pursuers. They had not been +long in discovering her flight and were soon racing after her from +under the tree. As she ran she heard their shouts, and then realised +that they had caught up with her guard who were resisting them. + +The poor girl ran on and on alone, and presently saw a tiny hamlet +hidden among some trees. She made for this as fast as her trembling +limbs could carry her and rushed breathlessly into a small red +brick-house, the door of which stood slightly ajar, crying: "Shut +the door! Dacoits are following me!" Then, overcome with fear and +exhaustion, she sank unconscious upon the floor. + +The ladies of the little household ran forward on hearing her cry and +shut the door promptly. Dacoits were known and feared everywhere. Then +they tenderly ministered to the stranger. As soon as she recovered +her senses, she related to them what had befallen her and implored +their protection. + +The master of the house immediately despatched a messenger to a distant +police outpost for aid. Soothed and comforted, the girl eagerly hoped +and prayed for the arrival of her attendants. + +After some time, word was brought in that a palki was approaching. Even +in the dark the approach of a palki is made known by the rhythmic cries +of the bearers. Soon it arrived in front of the red brick-house and +the bearers, halting, asked loudly if a strange lady, richly attired +and decked with jewels, was within. From an upper window the master +of the house answered them, while the girl and her kindly hostess +listened anxiously downstairs. The pseudo palki-bearers next informed +the listeners that they were the servants of a very wealthy man and +had been conveying his daughter to her parents-in-law's house. + +"But" they boldly declared, "our master's daughter is such a +troublesome girl. She causes us much anxiety whenever she is sent to +visit her mother-in-law. She is so unwilling to go that it is with +great difficulty that we get her safely there." + +The anxious listeners within felt sure these were the dacoits and +longed for the arrival of the police. The disguised thieves persisted +in their questioning for some time in spite of the house master's +repeated advice that they had better search elsewhere. At last they +departed carrying the palki with them. And the dwellers in the red +brick-house breathed more freely. But not for long. + +The village was a tiny one and the pretended bearers soon returned +from their search. Planting the palki in the doorway, they shouted: +"We know for certain that our mistress is hiding somewhere. We feel +sure she is in your house. Here we will sit till you send her forth." + +On hearing these words the poor pursued girl fell at the feet of her +host, calling herself his daughter and addressing him as "father", and +implored of him not to give her up to these awful dacoits. The good +man assured her of his protection while his wife raised her from the +floor, and, embracing her, said they would all sooner suffer death +than give her up. + +The trying hours dragged on till past midnight. Then the dacoits +announced that the lady must be produced or they would force an +entrance into the house. No reply was given to this ultimatum. The +highwaymen waited awhile and then assailed the door with heavy blows. + +The distraught girl besought her hostess to take her jewels and +hand them out to the burglars and thus ensure peace and safety for +all. The mistress of the house declared this would not satisfy the +ruffians and once more assured her guest that, whatever happened, +they would strive to protect her. + +Presently the door gave way and, with coarse oaths and triumphant +threats, the dacoits entered. But unknown to them,--so busy had they +been hammering and swearing,--the police had arrived and now followed +in on their heels. The dacoits were all captured and confessed their +guilt as to the murder of the palki-bearers and the probable death +of the two durwans, who, they averred, had fought like tigers. + +The bodies of these two devoted servants were found, all battered +and bruised, on the roadside and were given honourable cremation by +their master, whose daughter they had saved by their devotion. + +The jhee was found close to the spot, hiding among the branches of a +tree. She had witnessed the fight between the durwans and dacoits and +the flight and pursuit of her mistress. When both reached home again, +the jhee filled up dull hours with vivid accounts of their adventure. + +This little story is a true one and shows how difficult and dangerous +travel was in the old days in Bengal. Travelling by palki is now +in many parts a thing of the past, for the whole Province is being +linked together by a network of railways. Good roads and better police +arrangements also lessen the terrors of travelling in places where +railways are still wanting. + + + +Trapped by a Cobra + +Not many years ago a young married lady was journeying alone. + +It is not customary in India for young women, even if married, to go +out by themselves. The purdah system unfits them for independence. Even +when going for a short distance by palanquin or just for a carriage +drive, a chaperon is necessary. + +Yet occasions arise when it is imperative that they should journey, +but no suitable escort can be found or spared for the purpose. They +are then obliged to go with servants. It may seem strange that young +ladies should be permitted to travel alone with servants. But readers +who know India will not be surprised, for Indians treat their servants +after the patriarchal system, especially those who have served the +family for generations. Even hired attendants, like the driver in +this story, are thoroughly trusted when known to the family. + +The young lady was on her way to visit her father and mother. Indian +parents-in-law cannot visit at the parental home of their +daughter-in-law. Therefore bow-ma journeyed alone with her little son, +a child of about five years of age. + +The distance was not a long one, only from Calcutta to Durgapore, a +village a few miles away from the city. So a hackney-carriage was hired +with a driver who had often before been employed by her father-in-law, +and everyone felt assured bow-ma would reach her destination safely. + +Her mother-in-law saw her into the carriage. Her little boy was lifted +up beside her, and, with many injunctions to drive carefully and with +speed ringing in his ears, the driver whipped up his horses and they +were off. + +Bow-ma knew the road well. Often had she journeyed to and fro in +the early years of her married life, and even after the birth of her +little son her visits to her parents had been frequent. + +The carriage was close and her heavy silken saree hot to wear, so +she opened the venetians and lazily watched the familiar landmarks +as they passed. She had started early so that the journey should be +accomplished in day-light, and still they did not reach home. She +noted the various trees and hedges and was puzzled. Surely, the road +seemed different. The sun, a ball of golden fire, sank to rest in +a bed of many-tinted clouds, and still they had not arrived. Bow-ma +felt strangely anxious. + +The carriage suddenly swerved. To her dismay she saw they had turned +into a rough and untravelled road with paddy-fields on either side. The +place seemed lonely. It was now rapidly growing dark, for in India +after sun-set Night does not long delay her coming. A presentiment of +evil clutched bow-ma's heart. She whispered to her little boy to ask +the driver where they were and when they should arrive. In India it +is not permitted a woman to address any man save her husband, father, +and brothers. + +The child obeyed but the driver made no reply. "Ask again," whispered +the mother, "he has not heard you." + +The boy asked, "When shall we arrive?" again and again, but not a +word answered the driver. + +Bow-ma, now thoroughly alarmed, beat the shutters of the carriage +and commanded her son to shout loudly. The boy screamed at the top +of his voice, "Why don't you reply? What road is this?" + +The driver now answered disrespectfully: "You will soon know where +you are going," and laughed. + +His rude gruff tone and evasive answer confirmed bow-ma's worst +fears. The awful word dacoits stood out in her mind in letters of +fire. Horror and dread filled her soul. Drawing her child towards +her, she hushed his eager questioning and waited in silent anguish +for the coming danger. + +The carriage bumped and rattled over the uneven road. Presently it +stopped. It was now almost dark. The door was jerked open and a harsh +voice commanded: "Get out of the carriage." Bow-ma recognised the +driver's voice and, realising the futility of objecting, without a +word she stepped down and helped her little son to alight. + +"Follow me" was the next rough order. Again she silently obeyed. The +man left the road and led her a little distance away under the shadow +of some trees. "Take off your jewels. Give them to me." A faint sigh +of relief escaped her. Perhaps the jewels were all he wanted. Quickly +she unclasped her handsome necklet and gave it him. He grasped it +greedily with one hand and extended the other for more. One by one she +stripped her wrists and arms of their lovely bracelets and bangles and +handed them to him. "More" he growled. She pulled the rings from her +fingers and added to them her ear and nose rings. "Your waist chain" +he snapped. She unclasped and dropped its golden weight into those +greedy hands. "Take off your anklets, I want all" he sneered. She +knelt on the ground to unclasp them. Then, rising, handed them to him, +wondering what more would follow. + +Meanwhile the child wept bitterly, and angrily forbade the driver +to take his mother's jewels, calling him robber and thief. "Yes, +dacoit I am," the scoundrel replied to the boy's revilings, "and if +you will not be quiet, I will teach you how to." Bow-ma gently strove +to console and silence her son. "Fret not! Your father will give me +more and better jewels." + +"Take off your saree" was the next outrageous command. The boy's +indignation flamed afresh. His mother took an unguarded step forward +and asked: "Are not my jewels enough that you want the saree off +my back?" + +"Aye, your saree and all you have. Silence your child or I will kill +him." Terrible was the harsh voice in its determination. Bow-ma's +heart stood still. Entreaty would be of no avail. She unwound the +richly-embroidered silken folds from about her and cast the gold and +green saree at his feet: "Take it." + +"You have stripped my mother," screamed the boy. The ruffian caught +the saree with a fearful oath and turning on him said: "Now I can +deal with you. I will fetch a brick from yonder kiln and pound the +breath out of you," With these words he strode forward, tying the +jewels in the saree as he went. Now her sorely-tried nerves gave way, +and, distracted with grief, bow-ma caught her child in her arms, +and their mingled cries rent the air. But the thief did not return. + +About midnight a village policeman going his rounds heard their +cries. At first he paid no heed to them: jackals swarmed and disturbed +the night. Again the anguished voices quivered in the air. There was +something human in the sound. He stopped to listen. The cries rose +again. He walked forward in their direction. Clearer, as he advanced, +shrilled the distressed voices, and he recognised they were those +of a woman and a child. He quickened his steps and hastened to +the spot. The light from his lantern revealed bow-ma and her son, +clinging to each other and weeping piteously. + +"Who are you? What ails you?" he asked. The distraught mother, +unconscious of the flight of time, thinking him the heartless dacoit +returned to kill her boy, fell at his feet in an agony of supplication: +"Spare my son. Take my life instead." + +"I am a chowkidar (watchman). What is up?" But so dulled were her +ears with fear and grief that he was twice obliged to repeat his +words. When the joyful intelligence reached her brain she burst into +tears. "O! save my son." Then the consciousness that the danger +was past reminded her of her own plight, and she sobbed: "Give me +something to wear." + +The policeman had noticed her semi-nude state. Dropping, his pugree +at her feet he turned away. She shook out its many folds and draped +it about her body. Then she related what had befallen her and pointed +towards the direction the thief had taken. + +The policeman walked cautiously forward, his lantern raised in one +hand and his lathi tightly grasped in the other. A few yards ahead +he came to an old brick kiln. Here, prone among the broken bricks, +lay the robber in greater straits than his victims. A huge cobra was +tightly coiled round his right arm, while on the left hung the saree +and the jewels. The rays of the lantern disturbed the snake. With +an angry hiss it uncoiled itself and disappeared. The dacoit, more +dead than alive from simple fear of the snake's fatal sting, yielded +himself a prisoner, and it was subsequently discovered that the whole +gang, of whom he was a member, were licensed hackney drivers. + + + +Saved by a Bear + +The evening shadows and silence had settled on the river Hooghly as an +old Brahman wended his way to one of the many ghats (landing places). + +The dinghis--little boats which ply backwards and forwards all day +carrying passengers to and from Calcutta--had all been made fast +for the night. Some of the boatmen were cooking their evening meal, +while others sat about on the decks smoking and singing. Many of the +boats were wedged close together and drawn up on to the bank. + +But one lay well in the water and some distance from its +fellow-craft. Its manjhi (headman) stood on the stern deck, binding +together the mat roof of his boat. His seemingly careless gaze took +in the Brahman, about to descend the bank. He noted that the old man +carried a parcel, partially concealed in his chadar (scarf), and, +from the manner in which he hugged it, the observer concluded it +contained something valuable. As the Brahman came nearer, the manjhi +saw it was a bag of money. + +The old man picked his way down the bank and called upon boat after +boat to take him to a small village near Serampore, for in those days +there was no railway. None were willing to go so far. Meanwhile a +whispered consultation had taken place between the manjhi and dhars +(oarsmen) of the furthest dinghi. When the Brahman finally accosted +them, they first demurred and then, as though still reluctant, +consented to hire their boat. + +Just as they were pushing off, a man with a performing bear ran down +the bank. "Where goest thou?" he asked. + +"Serampore" answered the Brahman before the boatman could reply. + +"My home is near by," the man remarked gladly, and jumped into the +boat, pulling his bear after him. + +The boatmen scowled angrily: "Get out, we go not so far." But he +would not. The manjhi warned him that he and his bear would gain +nothing by forcing themselves into the boat. + +"These boatmen are queer customers," he laughingly remarked to the +Brahman, and to them: "Gain nothing! Why! I will reach my home." + +"So you say," they answered. + +The bear-man wondered within himself at their unwillingness to have +him as a passenger. He and the old Brahman made a few remarks to each +other. Then they fell silent. + +They were near the end of their journey when the bear-man asked +suddenly: "Manjhi, have we not passed Serampore?" + +"Are you the guru of boatmen that you question me?" replied the +manjhi, and then, in a more conciliatory tone, added: "We are going +higher up for a crossing. The tide is strong." The explanation was +reasonable. But the bear-man's suspicions had been awakened and he +was on the alert. The Brahman sat placidly nursing his bag which the +bear-man too had noticed contained money. He had also noticed that +the manjhis kept glancing furtively at it and its owner. + +The river crossed, the boat hugged the bank; after a time it came +to a standstill. One of the manjhis jumped ashore with the rope +and secured it to a tree. The Brahman and the bear-man both asked: +"What is wrong? Why stop the boat in this strange place?" + +"You will soon know, you will soon see," answered the boatmen and +chuckled over some secret joke as, one after another, each stepped +ashore and disappeared. + +The aged Brahman gazed after them apprehensively. Then, placing his +money between his knees, as he sat on the deck with crossed legs tucked +under him, he folded his hands together and bent forward in prayer. + +The bear-man thought within himself: "Prayer for him, action for +me." And saying softly to the old man; "Brahman Thakoor, something +is brewing. I follow to see," he too stepped ashore. + +Not far from the tree he found a small thatched house and several +men gathered behind it. Moving warily forward among the group he +recognised the manjhis. "Dacoits!" he whispered to himself. Then an +inspiration struck him. + +He ran back to the boat, and asked the Brahman to change his seat +to the stern and be ready to steer off when he gave him a signal. He +took up a position in the prow and fondled his bear. + +Within a few minutes a party of men appeared coming towards the +dinghi. Some were boatmen; all were dacoits. + +The actor loosed the bear's chain, saying: "Go! go! hug the life out +of all of them!" + +The sagacious animal responded to his master's order with a fierce +charge right among the approaching band of robbers. With startled +cries they fled in all directions. Quite sure they were effectively +scattered, the bear-man called his animal back, secured its chain +once more, and pushed from the shore. + +With some difficulty he and the old Brahman navigated themselves back +to Calcutta and informed the police authorities there. The police +took possession of the dinghi which on inspection proved to be a +dacoit's nest well-equipped with instruments fitted for murder and +robbery. But none of this gang of river dacoits were captured. + +The lives of the Brahman and the showman were certainly saved by the +wonderful intelligence of the latter's bear. + + + +Raghu Dacoit + +Madhub Babu, a Calcutta gentleman, owned much property in that city +and was known far and wide on account of his great wealth. To do him +honour, the City Fathers had named a tank after him. + +At that time there flourished a notorious dacoit, Raghu, for whose +capture Government had offered a handsome reward. But like Robin Hood +of old, Raghu Dacoit had caught popular fancy by his generosity to +the poor. Though he looted the rich, to the needy, the famine-stricken +and widows he was always kind. No one would inform against him. + +Madhub Babu had a fine country house in Chandernagore, where he +frequently entertained his friends. On one of these occasions, the +latest doings of Raghu Dacoit were being discussed. The Babu remarked +confidently: "He dare not visit me. He knows my house is well guarded." + +One of the guests quickly rejoined: "Oh, don't say that. Raghu Dacoit +is a dangerous and clever man." + +A few days after, Madhub Babu received a letter from the famous +outlaw saying that he would be pleased to visit the rich man's +country house. Madhub Babu was amazed at the audacity of the fellow, +and wondered how his remark had reached the robber's ears. + +He immediately sent information to Calcutta and asked for a strong +body of police to be sent at his expense. They arrived, and his +country residence was extra well guarded for some time. But nothing +happened! Madhub Babu concluded that the letter had been a hoax. So +the police guard was withdrawn. + +Madhub Babu's Chandernagore house stood on the bank of the river. One +dark night a boat came quietly to the ghat. Its occupants silently +landed and proceeded stealthily to the house. Every door and window +was securely fastened, but what mattered that to Raghu and his +band? Tall trees graced the grounds everywhere and many grew near the +house. Climbing the nearest, some of the dacoits reached up a long +and stout bamboo from it to the flat roof. A slim youth crawled over +and fixed the other end securely. Then one by one some of the gang +slid across. The door of the staircase leading down into the house +stood open. Creeping like cats downstairs they gained the entrance +hall. Here they found all the durwans fast asleep. The light of their +lanterns showed the durwans' swords hanging on the wall. In a trice +the dacoits had them down, unsheathed, and, oh, bitter blow! despatched +Madhub Babu's men with their own weapons. + +Then noiselessly opening the door they admitted the remainder of the +band. For a few hours there was uproar, confusion and dismay while +the burglars invaded room after room and collected all Madhub Babu's +treasures with which they disappeared. + +While still smarting under the loss of his valuables, the Babu received +another letter from Raghu Dacoit asking, "Had his visit given Madhub +Babu pleasure?" + + + +Girl as Kali-Ma + +A large and well-to-do family lived happily in a country place +in Bengal. + +One day their peace was disturbed by an anonymous letter. The writer +warned them to expect a "dacoity" (burglary). These Indian outlaws +always make it a point of honour to inform their intended victims, +and always come with drums, torch-light and a sort of war-cry. + +There was much valuable jewellery in the house and the family, thinking +discretion the better part of valour, gathered all together, packed +it securely and, taking it with them, left their home about sunset +for safe quarters. + +Somehow one of the younger ladies with a tiny infant was left +behind. Unaware of the warning letter or desertion of the family, +she slept peacefully through the early hours of the night. But later, +she was awakened by the sound of drums and loud cries, which she +recognised as the signal of the dacoits. Rushing out of her chamber +she discovered that the burglars were already in the house and that +none of the family were to be found. From room to room she fled, +finding none to protect her, and realised that she was alone and +helpless. Even her husband was gone! + +She was a high-spirited and resourceful girl. She knew her life +and the baby's as well were in danger and she determined to outwit +the burglars. She had a swarthy complexion like Kali, the dacoits' +divinity. Often had her mother bemoaned its darkness! Now it should +serve her. But was she black enough? To make assurance doubly sure, +she caught up a bottle of ink, which she knew where to find, and +hastily smeared her face and limbs with it. Then, hiding her baby +in a safe corner, she uncoiled her heavy hair and let its luxuriant +black tresses fall about her like a cloak. Her preparations complete, +she placed herself in a large niche at the head of the stairs. + +The dacoits found nothing below worth attention and trooped +upstairs. The flickering glare of their torches fell upon a life-like +image of Kali the Terrible. With protruding scarlet tongue and fixed +staring eyes, the girl stood immovable and breathless, silently +invoking all her family gods to come to her aid in her bold design. + +With an awe-struck cry of "Mercy! mercy! Kali-Ma!", the thieves +fell prostrate at her feet. The girl held her breath. Was it +possible that her plan had succeeded? The slow seconds passed. The +Chief arose. "Come, brothers, we touch nothing where Mother Kali is +worshipped." With hasty and reverent steps they descended the stairs +and left the house. + +Long after the dacoits had gone the girl stood there. Then the strain +snapped and she relapsed to her normal self. Fear swept over her and +she rushed out of the house. But her trembling limbs could not carry +her far. She fell in a dead faint on the pathway. The neighbours, +who had heard the dacoits enter the house and seen them go away silent +and empty-handed, came to learn the mystery and found her there. + +When the family returned next morning, the neighbours abused them +soundly for leaving the girl and her babe behind. The girl herself +was so hurt by the neglect that she had scarcely strength enough +to relate the strange happenings of the night. Her husband found it +difficult to make his peace; he said that he believed her to be with +the ladies of the family. In zenana families even the most devoted +husband has little voice in his wife's movements, as all arrangements +are left in the hands of the mother-in-law. There were several ladies +and children in the family and the mother-in-law had thought the girl +was with some of them. Friendship was however finally restored. All +generously admired her ingenuity and realised her bravery. From the +white-haired old father to the smallest child, everyone was grateful +then and always after for her presence of mind on that memorable night. + + + +The Deputy Magistrate + +In the Dacca district, a few years ago, there was a big dacoity. A +Deputy Magistrate was ordered to secretly investigate the matter and, +if possible, to capture the miscreants. + +Besides his cook and personal attendants he took with him some +policemen. All were disguised. They travelled in several small boats. + +It was late in the evening as they neared the place, where the burglary +had occurred. He decided to proceed no further that night. The boats +put to; the men cooked their evening meal and all retired. + +About midnight, the Magistrate awoke with a start to hear many voices +calling him by name. He listened: "So you have come to arrest us, +to put us in jail, to hang us. Ah! you will soon see who will be +punished. We shall know how clever you are!" + +The night was pitch-dark. He noiselessly opened the small window +of the boat and saw a number of men, with flaming torches in their +hands and armed with heavy sticks, coming down the bank. There was no +time to call his men. He seized his loaded revolver. But what was one +against so many! He decided to bolt. The land way was barred by the +dacoits. What of the river? He was a good swimmer. But the water looked +black as ink and swarmed with crocodiles. Yet to stay in the boat meant +certain death. If he gained the opposite bank, he could make for his +father-in-law's house, which was near the river and where his wife was +then staying. He might escape the crocodiles. He determined to risk it. + +Like a flash all this passed through his mind. Opening the other +window he clambered out stealthily and slipped into the water. A +few powerful strokes carried him across. He stumbled up the bank and +raced through the thorny jungle to his father-in-law's house. + +The sleeping family were disturbed by his violent knocking. As soon +as he was admitted, he went to his wife's room. She was horrified to +hear of his danger. After a hasty bath and change she insisted that he +should eat something, and while he was refreshing himself, she informed +her father of his son-in-law's escape and predicament. To her surprise, +her father said: "I am sorry, but he must leave my house." + +"O! father, how can he?" she pleaded. + +"He must" repeated her father. + +The daughter fell at her parent's feet and implored him not to drive +her husband forth. But no words of hers could move him. "Why should +all suffer for one?" he argued. She returned sadly to her husband. + +Presently the cries of the dacoits showed that they had scented their +quarry. Soon they shouted at the door: "Open! or drive out the Deputy +Magistrate. We know he is here. Give him to us or what happens be on +your own head." + +The wife wept piteously. Her father remained obdurate, muttering, +"I knew this would happen." + +The unfortunate Magistrate could not understand his father-in-law's +behaviour. He sat with his head bowed in despair. Suddenly his wife +ran to him. + +"You must try to escape. I have an idea." She pulled out a saree and +some jewels, and began to dress him as a woman. + +"It's no use," he said hopelessly, "they will catch me." + +"Be brave," she said encouragingly, "for my sake see if you cannot +elude them." + +With tender hands she arranged the saree, draping it well over his head +to conceal his face. Then giving him a ghurra (water vessel) told him +to pretend that he was going to fetch water from the river. Cheered +by her courage, he caught her to his heart in a mute farewell, and +her prayers went with him. + +He had not gone far from the house when cries arose of "There he +is!" But some one shouted: "It is a woman. Look elsewhere." And he +passed slowly to the river. Here he flung the brass ghurra far out +into the stream and ran for his life along the bank. No sounds of +pursuit followed him, and he now gained courage enough to form a +plan of escape. Not far from his father-in-law's village was a small +police station. Thither he bent his steps and asked protection of +its solitary occupant. + +The man recognised him and asked: "Deputy Saheb, why are you here? What +is wrong?" + +The Magistrate told him of the dacoits and of his escape. "Dacoits +after you!" said the policeman and looked grave. "Sir, I cannot help +you. What is one policewallah against so many? If I shelter you we +shall both die. You better push on." + +For a time the Magistrate pleaded to deaf ears. But at length his +promises of promotion and reward moved the man. "Come" he said "I +will do my best," and, rising, led the way to his own house. Here +in the inner room was a high machan--a huge bamboo shelf made like +a raft and suspended from the roof and reached by a moveable ladder, +used for storing all sorts of things. + +On this machan were some old blankets. "Here, conceal yourself in +these" said the policeman. The Deputy Magistrate needed no second +bidding. He climbed up and rolled himself in one of the blankets and +heaped the others in front of him. The policeman carried the ladder +away, right out of the house. Then he shut the door and returned to +the office. + +After a time there came the noise of the dacoits. They soon entered +the police station and shouted: "Give up that Deputy Saheb. We know +he is here." + +"Deputy, what Deputy? I cannot understand. Where is he?" answered +the policeman. + +"Don't be shamming," returned the dacoits contemptuously, "thou +knowest well whom we mean. Produce him if you value your own life." + +In vain the policeman pleaded ignorance. His trembling limbs and +shaking voice belied his words. The dacoits bound him, searched +the police office, and then proceeded to hunt the house. "He is not +here. Let us not waste further time," said one. "Let's look well," +said another, "and search every place." Some climbed the machan and +discovered their victim. It did not take them long to drag him down, +and beat him mercilessly with their long sticks, till he became +unconscious. The policeman too was severely chastised. Him they +left lying there; but rolled the offending Magistrate in an old mat, +bound him tightly with a rope and carried him away to the river. + +As he was borne on their shoulders through the night air, he gradually +came to his senses but kept silent and listened to his captors. By +this time it was dawn, and they were at the river. The majority were +for re-crossing and burning him, dead or alive. One dissentient voice +struck him with surprise. It was his father-in-law's! Clearly he +was one of the gang! But scruples had overtaken him and he pleaded +that he might not be a witness of the projected murder of his +son-in-law. "Spare me! spare me!" he cried. + +Some jeered: "Ho! Ho! you still have a soft corner in your heart for +your son-in-law." At last they agreed that he might absent himself +and he apparently turned back. + +The others now put their burden into a boat and crossed the river. They +were laughing at the father-in-law's weakness, and as they approached +the ghat failed to observe a Government budgerow anchored there. It +was the Divisional Commissioner's. He was out on tour. The paharawalla +on deck checked them: "Do not make such a noise. The Saheb sleeps." + +They answered rudely and the watchman retorted angrily. The dacoits +loudly abused the man. + +The noise woke up the Commissioner, and he got out on deck with a +loaded revolver in his hand. The dacoits jumped from their dinghy and +ran up the bank. It was evident who they were and the Commissioner +fired, aiming at their legs. One man fell with a scream of pain but +scrambled to his feet and ran on. + +Nothing was to be gained by chasing them through the still dark +jungle. The Commissioner turned his attention to the boat. "Search +it" he ordered his watchmen. His quick eyes detected legs protruding +from a mat, and he was not surprised when his chaprassi called: +"Saheb, a dead man lies in it." + +The Deputy murmured feebly: "I am not dead. I live." The chaprassi +amended the first statement: "Saheb, he speaks." The Commissioner +jumped into the dinghi, cut the ropes that bound the unfortunate man, +and discovered the Deputy Magistrate. It did not take him long to +recover and pour his tale of woe into his Chief's ears. + +By sunrise they were all after the dacoits. Blood-drops marked the +way and, near by, they found the wounded man who, only able to hobble, +had hidden himself in a thicket. The Deputy Magistrate's father-in-law +was arrested. He was one of the leaders of the band. It did not take +long to capture the others. And after this, for a time, this part of +the Dacca district enjoyed peace from dacoits. + + + +All for Nothing + +A young and very high-caste Bengali lady was married to the son of a +rich man who lived near Hooghly, a small town within a short distance +of Calcutta. + +Some years passed, but there was no sign of a son and heir. The +parents-in-law were fond of the girl. She had won her way into their +hearts and they sympathised with her. Yet they longed to see the old +name being carried down the years, and whisperings grew into talk +of a second marriage for their son. The girl's parents were anxious +and distressed. + +Then a kindly Providence intervened, and after months of expectation +a little son lay in her arms, and both families rejoiced with the +girl and shared her pride in the boy baby. + +When the child was about a year old, the young mother's brother became +engaged to be married. The date was fixed and invitations sent to +the girl and to the family of her parents-in-law. It was arranged +that she and her baby should attend the wedding. + +Not far off, also in Hooghly, lived a widowed sister (of the girl) +in her father-in-law's house. She too was going to the wedding, +and it was settled that both sisters should travel in the same +boat to Calcutta. No male member of either family could accompany +them. Therefore, their father sent an old servant from Calcutta to +fetch them. This man was trusted and treated like a member of the +family, with whom he had been for years. + +The girl put together her clothes. Her good mother-in-law unlocked the +great safe and took out the girl's best jewels. An Indian wedding +is the occasion for a great display of clothes and jewellery, +and a well-dressed and richly-adorned bow raises the credit of the +mother-in-law, especially if the wedding is in the girl's own family; +so a careful selection was made. Baby was not forgotten either. Tiny +gold bangles and chains had been showered upon him at his birth, +and this was his first public appearance. + +They started early, so as to arrive during the afternoon. There was +to be a ceremony the next day and many guests had arrived at the +bride-groom's house, and all watched eagerly for the two sisters. But +the hours waned and still they tarried. Late in the evening, the old +servant arrived, agitated and all mud-bespattered. + +Family, guests and servants plied him with questions concerning +the sisters. Not a word would he reply. Suspicions soon voiced +themselves. Dacoits were about. Everyone knew of the wedding and the +consequent family gathering. Everyone knew too that the daughter was +the cherished bow of a rich family. + +Urged by these arguments and his own anxiety, the father threatened +to skin the man alive unless he spoke. Intimidated by his master's +anger, the servant stated that the boat had capsized and the sisters +and baby were drowned. + +The house of mirth and laughter was changed to one of weeping. But +the father did not accept the information in its entirety. He called +in the police and a vigorous search was made. All the boatmen were +found. They stated they had swum ashore but could or would give no +word of the ladies. + +The only possible clue was given by an Englishman living in a mill +on the river bank at Chinsurah. About midnight, on the date of +the disappearance of the ladies, he heard the cries of women and +a child. At first he had thought of going to see what was up. But +the sounds were coming from a thick jungle, and he argued it was +impossible any one could be there in trouble, and finally thought no +more of the seeming cries. + +This ill-omened happening broke up the wedding party. The marriage +was cancelled. All the preparations had been for nothing. To this day +the fate of the sisters is unknown. The bride and bridegroom-elect +were married to other parties. + + + +A Punjabee Dacoit + +In a railway train several Punjabee ladies sat on the lower berths +of a second class compartment, laughing and talking gaily. They +were, with one exception, all richly dressed and each of them wore a +quantity of jewels. The exception was a capable, good-looking woman, +of about twenty-five. Her short hair, neck and arms bare of jewellery, +and plain white saree, proclaimed her a widow. But like the others +she chatted merrily, and a listener would have learned from their +conversation that they had been attending a wedding, and were now +on their way home. Witty remarks about the guests, criticism of the +looks of the bride, and comparisons of this wedding with others, +passed from one to another, and whiled away the hours of the journey +as the train sped onwards. + +Night fell, and the ladies became silent. They rested against each +other and dozed at intervals. The widow sat on a trunk at the end of +the carriage and silently told her beads. The train slowed down and +stopped at a little station. Then the bell clanged and once again +they were on their way. The little station had not been left far +behind when a dark figure appeared on the foot-board of the ladies' +carriage, and a man's head was thrust in at one of the windows. A +startled exclamation from one of the party drew the attention of all +to the intruder, who was pulling himself up into the carriage. He +was very fierce-looking, wore a huge turban, and had a bushy black +beard. In one hand he held a knife and with the other he assisted +himself into the compartment, in spite of the ladies' protestations. + +Some of them began to cry but one or two bolder spirits ventured to +argue with him. In answer to their questions and objections, he said +roughly: "It is a long while before you will reach another station. I +have come for your jewels. If you give them to me quietly, I will +not hurt any of you; but if not--" and he looked very expressively +at the knife in his hand. + +After some few minutes, the ladies, who were inclined to oppose him, +yielded to the tearful advice of their more timid sisters, and one by +one they began to unclasp necklaces and belts and hand them over to +the dacoit together with bracelets, bangles and rings. The ruffian, +finding them docile, did not hustle them in any way but stood leisurely +receiving the spoil. Then he carefully folded all in a rich saree +and was knotting the ends together when the train suddenly stopped, +and an Englishman pushed open the door of the ladies' compartment +and sprang at him with the exclamation, "You scoundrel!" + +The sudden surprise and assault threw the robber off his feet, and +he fell sprawling on the carriage floor, with the Englishman on top +of him. In the meantime, the guard and others arrived and the thief +was secured and his hands and feet were bound together with his own +pugree, and he was removed to the guard's van. + +The widow was the heroine of the adventure. As soon as she saw the +man entering the carriage, she realised his purpose. Slipping into +the lavatory she climbed through the window there on to the footboard, +and pulled herself along by the carriage rods to the next compartment +where the solitary occupant, an Englishman, sat reading. + +He was amazed to see a woman clinging to the window of his carriage, +but fortunately he understood the language; and when she said "Help, +thief in the next carriage", he opened the door and got her into his +carriage without any delay. In a few words, she acquainted him with +what was happening in the next compartment. He immediately pulled +the alarm cord to stop the train, and hurried along the footboard to +the assistance of the ladies. They were profuse in their expressions +of gratitude to him, but he insisted that they owed their lives and +their jewels to their courageous friend. + + + +A Child's Experience + +Some years ago in a country place, not far from Calcutta, there lived +a well-to-do Bengalee gentleman. He was an old man; and his large +family consisting of sons, grandsons, and his brothers with their +wives and children, and many dependent relatives--all lived happily +together in their ancestral home. + +It was an old-fashioned house with verandahs, courtyards and many +rooms. In a large dalan or verandah all the family poojas were +celebrated. Here the daughters of the house were married, and for +generations the old walls had looked on at family gatherings and +festivities. + +There were extensive grounds round the house. Quite close to the zenana +there was a large kitchen garden which supplied all the vegetables +consumed daily in the house; and so plentiful was the produce that +large trays filled with vegetables were sent out every day as presents +to friends, relatives and to the neighbouring temples. + +A little further away was an orchard, and in spring the numerous +mango trees delighted all eyes with their blossoms. And there were +jack fruit trees, peaches, plums and guava trees in numbers, besides +long lines of plantains and palms of several kinds. + +In the garden, orchard and stables there were tanks and wells so +that the supply of water was sufficient for the needs of such a large +establishment. In front of the mansion there was a large ornamental +tank or lake with white marble steps leading to its waters. Here every +evening the men and boys of the family gathered to recreate and enjoy +the cooling south breeze, and they were often joined by neighbours, +and many a pleasant hour was spent on those marble steps. + +An avenue of trees and a high hedge rendered the house quite private, +and the roof was a lovely recreation place and promenade for the +ladles and girls of the family, who were all purdah. + +The old man's wealth was much discussed and the expensive clothes +and rich jewels of the ladies were often spoken of. One day the +old gentleman received a warning letter from a band of dacoits that +the house would be visited by them that night. After some hurried +consultation, the family packed up all their jewels and valuables +and sought shelter in flight. It was decided to spend the night at +a place a few miles distant. + +In the excitement a young mother was separated from her little boy, +a child of about three or four years of age. She concluded that he +was with some other member of the family in another carriage and did +not trouble herself about it. But on their arrival at their place of +refuge he was not found with any of the others. + +The mother's distress of mind was pitiful. She wished to return +for her child; but it was growing dark and there was the danger of +meeting the dacoits. So her wish was overruled, and through the long +night she suffered terrible anxiety, picturing in her mind all that +was perhaps befalling her little son. + +In the meantime the child was sleeping sweetly and peacefully in his +bed in his mother's room. Tired out with play, he had slipped into +bed unknown to any one and there he lay. + +About twelve at night the dacoits arrived and broke into the +house. They searched the empty rooms and were furious at finding no +valuables worth carrying away. They came to the room where the little +boy slept, and their loud voices awakened him. He sat up and, seeing +their strange faces and glaring torches, screamed with fright. One +of them threatened to kill him if he did not stop his noise. Another +stepped to the bedside and taking the little boy in his arms said: +"Little one, do not cry. No one will hurt you." + +The child recognised his father's servant and twined his little arms +around the man's neck. The other dacoits laughed and walked out of +the room leaving their comrade with the child. + +When daylight broke, the family returned home, and the poor young +mother flew through the house in search of her child. To her surprise +and joy she found him sleeping peacefully in her own room. Her +hysterical caresses awakened him and the little fellow could not +understand what ailed his mother. + +"Did nothing happen during the night?" she asked. "Did you see anything +or anyone, my son?" + +Rubbing his chubby knuckles in his eyes the sleepy little boy answered: +"Oh, yes, where were you, mother? A lot of men came. Some wanted to +hit me, but--(naming the servant) was with them, and he sent them +away. Then he gave me sweets and put me to sleep." + +The servant was arrested, and he confessed that he was one of the +band of dacoits who had sent the warning letter and had broken into +the house. Nearly the whole band was captured. + + + +Two Chinese Dacoits + +In a large house in Calcutta there lived an Englishman, his wife and +her sister. Mrs. C. was of a highly-strung and nervous disposition, +and as her husband's business frequently occasioned his absence from +home, they had persuaded her sister Ethel to come out to India on a +long visit. + +Ethel was a bright, lively girl, very practical and quite the opposite +of her sister, whom she often rallied for her timidity. Once when +Alice was more trying than usual, Ethel exclaimed: "Perhaps if I were +a little like you, Alice, delicate, nervous and silly, I might get +a husband who would fuss over me like Charlie does over you." + +Alice laughed at her sister's earnestness and said: "If you were not +healthy and strong-minded you would understand me better, Ethel." + +Not long afterwards the two ladies were left alone for some days as +Mr. C. was obliged to go upcountry on business. While he was away, +Ethel slept with her sister. It was the cold weather when night closes +in early and the evenings are long. Mrs. C. liked an early dinner, +soon after which she always retired. Ethel liked to spend the long +quiet evenings, reading or writing, and often sat up till midnight. + +One afternoon, while they were at lunch, a telegram was brought in, +and on opening it, Alice exclaimed delightedly "Charlie will be back +in time for dinner." + +The evening passed away till dinner time but Mr. C. did not arrive +and the ladies waited till nine o'clock. Then they dined, and when +the clock struck ten and still there was no arrival, Alice said she +would go to bed, as Charlie must have missed his train and the next +was not due till near midnight. + +Ethel looked up from her book and said: "Well, I am sleeping in my +own room." + +"O! you know I hate to be alone," exclaimed Alice; "you might come +and sleep in mine until Charlie comes in." + +"Alice, you are selfish," retorted Ethel. "I shall barely be in bed +before he walks in. The only thing for me is to go to bed in your +room in my evening dress." + +"How silly you are," said Alice peevishly; "why cannot you undress as +usual? Charlie may not come at all to-night and I dread being alone." + +"Oh, very well," said Ethel, "I will come and read in your room till +Charlie does come. I shall never marry a man who is always away on +business," With these words she forsook her easy chair and accompanied +her sister into the large bed-room. She threw herself on the side of +the bed and went on with her book. + +Alice undressed, got into bed and was soon asleep. Ethel finished +her book and then lay waiting for her brother-in-law. The lights in +the hall and on the landing were not extinguished, but the house was +still and quiet. It was near twelve and Alice was just wondering if +Mr. C. would really arrive or if it would not be better for her to +undress and get into bed comfortably when she heard gentle footsteps +on the stairs. + +"There's Charlie," she said to herself, "and how softly he is coming +upstairs! he is a considerate husband." + +She looked at her sister, saw that she was sleeping very soundly. "I +will pretend to be asleep too," said Ethel to herself and she drew +up the bed-clothes to hide her evening dress and put a pillow over +her head. + +To her disappointment, Charlie delayed his coming and she was wondering +if he was dining when the door slowly opened, but instead of Mr. C. two +Chinamen entered the room. Ethel stared at them from under her pillow +with amazement. At first they stood motionless beside the door. Then, +closing it noiselessly, they advanced into the room. Their quaint +clothes, long pigtails and red eyes together with their stealthy +movements and the hour of midnight, created an uncanny atmosphere in +the room, and for the first time in her life Ethel began to understand +what nerves mean. Never in her life had her pulses jumped and throbbed +as they were doing now. She controlled her inclination to scream and +from under her pillow watched the men. + +They examined the room and one of them approached the toilette table +and began to transfer the jewels and silver ornaments which lay upon it +to a capacious bag. The other took a big cigar out of his pocket and +lit it. Then he stepped to Mrs. C.'s side and began to puff the smoke +into her face. She was sleeping upon her back and though she at first +stirred uneasily she soon seemed to sink into a deeper sleep. After +a few minutes by her side, the Chinaman moved round to Ethel's side +of the bed; but seeing that her head was covered by a pillow and that +she was apparently fast asleep, he turned to help his comrade. + +At this moment Mr. C.'s voice sounded in the hall and he came +running upstairs, whistling gaily. The robbers exchanged alarmed +looks and hastily hid themselves and their bag of booty behind a large +almirah. Charlie opened the door and came into the room, saying "Alice, +where are you?" Approaching the bed he said "What, asleep!" and bent +over his wife. But she was in a deep slumber and oblivious of her +husband's presence. He noticed Ethel's form on the opposite side of +the bed and, walking gently round, touched her arm and whispered: +"Are you asleep too?" + +She lifted the pillow, stretched her arms, and then sat up on the +bed. He noticed her evening dress and was explaining his late arrival +when she jumped up crossly from the bed and saying, "Look at your wife, +is she not looking ghastly?" went out of the room. Charlie returned to +his wife's side and looked closely at her. Her face seemed strangely +pallid and her hands were cold. He endeavoured to wake her and was +still trying to rouse her when Ethel returned to the room followed +by several of the servants, who looked excited. + +In answer to his question, "What is wrong with Alice?" Ethel said +"There are two thieves hidden behind the almirah. Let the servants help +you to secure them and then you will know what is wrong with Alice." + +The two Chinamen were soon routed out from behind the almirah, +captured and handed over to the police. A doctor was summoned and +Alice was brought out of the stupor, she had been thrown into by the +fumes of opium smoke. + + + +An Unfaithful Servant. + +A rich zemindar named Bose lived in Lucknow, He had emigrated there +from Bengal, acquired land there, and studied the language until +he could speak Urdu like a Hindustanee. He became so much a native +of Lucknow that, when business took him down to Calcutta, he felt +himself a foreigner and stranger in Bengal. + +His wife was an invalid and, as the years told on her, he +had frequently to take her to Calcutta for medical advice and +treatment. Their only child was a daughter who was the darling of their +household. The second favourite in the family was a boy called Ram, +who though really a servant was treated like a son of the house and +both Mr. and Mrs. Bose were very fond of him. + +When quite a small boy, Ram had been taken into service in the Bose +menagé; and as his parents were both dead and he was remarkably quick +and intelligent, the zemindar took a fatherly interest in the lad and +had him taught to read and write. The teacher thought so highly of +Ram's intellect that he was taught one subject after another by his +indulgent master, and when he grew older, was especially educated +and trained for estate work. When his education was finished he +was appointed to be confidential clerk and cashier, and gradually +grew to know as much of Bose's money affairs as the zemindar did +himself. Whenever the rich man went on his estate, Ram went with +him. At times of collection, Ram had the office of counting the silver +and locking it up in the cash box. Frequently thousands of rupees +passed through his hands in this way, and he alone always knew what +amount of money the cash box contained. + +One year, Bose and the faithful Ram had been round the zemindari, +collecting rents; and, as many who had been in arrears paid up, they +returned with a larger sum of money than usual. This was locked up +in the cash box and Bose told his wife in Ram's hearing that next +day he should deposit it in the bank. The cash box was always kept +at night on a table by the zemindar's bed-side. + +The Boses had a large house in Lucknow and it was nearly always full, +as Mrs. Bose was fond of company and they invariably had a number +of relatives and friends staying with them. Mr. and Mrs. Bose slept +upstairs in a large south room, which opened into another large room +alongside of it. The only furniture in their room was their two beds +and a table which stood between the beds to hold the cash box and +a lantern. + +The night of the zemindar's return, his wife could not sleep. She +had been ill and she counted the hours as the night wore on. The +light of the lantern showed her husband's sleeping form, the naked +sword which always hung at his bedpost, and the bare white-washed +walls of the room. As she lay awake, Mrs. Bose thought she heard a +noise at the door leading into the other room. The noise came again +and she listened intently. Some one opened the door and then shut +it. Mrs. Bose kept still, listened and watched. Some one again opened +and shut the door gently, then again and again. It struck Mrs. Bose +that this was being done to ascertain whether the inmates of the room +were asleep or awake. She continued to keep perfectly still. + +Now the door was pushed wide open and Ram entered, and closed the door +softly behind him. When Mrs. Bose saw him enter, her first thought +was that he was the bearer of some bad news, and she very nearly +asked him what was the matter. But his stealthy movements made her +feign sleep and see what he was about; and as he approached her bed +on tiptoe, she closed her eyes and lay as if peacefully sleeping. He +stood beside the bed apparently watching her. Mrs. Bose's nerves were +tingling with fear, and it took all her powers of self-control to keep +her eyes closed and her breath steady. Just as the effort seemed more +than she could keep up, Ram moved away from her bed. + +Through her eye-lashes she watched him creep noiselessly to the table +and examine the cash box. Then he returned to the side of her bed +and coughed. Mrs. Bose again succeeded in keeping perfectly still +and he moved round to his master's bedside. Here he stood motionless +for some seconds and then unfastened the sword. The zemindar was +sleeping heavily and as he detached the sword Ram smiled to himself +as if everything was very satisfactory. He grasped the sword in his +right hand and made a trial stroke. Then, smiling again, he lifted +the curtain of the zemindar's bed with his left hand. + +Mrs. Bose felt sure that his motive was murder as well as robbery, and +she now shrieked loudly for aid. At the first sound of her voice Ram +dropped the sword and fled from the room. His wife's piercing screams +of "Murder! Help!" woke the zemindar, but by the time he understood +what had taken place Ram had let himself out of the house and was gone. + +When morning came the police were informed and the zemindar offered a +handsome reward for the arrest of Ram; but though the police hunted +in Lucknow and elsewhere and also searched the village where Ram's +relatives lived, no one knew anything of him and he was never again +heard of in Lucknow. + +Some years after, the old zemindar died and one of the last remarks he +made was: "I should like to know what has happened to poor Ram." He +had never forgotten his affection for his old protege, and had quite +forgiven him for his ungratefulness. + + + +PART II + +Tiger Stories + + +The Bearer's Fate + +Mr. Gupta, a Bengali gentleman, was a skilled engineer. The Government +thought highly of him and whenever any work of special difficulty +had to be undertaken, always chose him. + +At one time he was stationed at Hazaribagh. This district is even +now infested with tigers, and in those far-off days these lords of +the jungle roamed far and wide. + +There was then no railway. Travelling was done by palki or by +"push-push"---a box-like carriage on four wheels, in which the +traveller was forced to recline, and which relays of coolies pushed +before them. The roads were often mere tracks through dense forest. + +It happened that Mr. Gupta was ordered to report on some important work +a few miles away. His devoted wife carefully packed his luggage. They +were a happy couple and each short parting was a pain in their lives. A +trustworthy old servant always accompanied his master to camp. But +to-day to his mistress' surprise he begged not to go. + +When Gupta came in, his wife told him of the man's unwillingness to +accompany him. + +"Nonsense!" said Gupta, "he will have to go. What has happened to him?" + +"I think he is ill" the wife excusingly replied, her tender heart +full of the man's wistful face and strange manner. Still she agreed +with her husband and told the bearer, he must go with his master. + +"Forgive me, I have high fever, Ma-ji," he shivered, addressing her +by the honoured name of mother, as is the custom of Indian servants +in an Indian household. + +She turned again to her husband who said: "I know what is in the +poor old fellow's mind. He has an idea he will be killed by a +tiger. However, tell him there is no danger. I am taking a large +number of bearers and he can keep near the palki." + +Mrs. Gupta tried to cheer the servant with this information but he +wailed: "Ma-ji, I am afraid. Surely a tiger will kill me to-night." + +"Do not fear," consoled the kind lady. "Your master will take good +care of you." "Go you must," she continued in a firm tone. "There is +no one except you who knows his ways and can see to his comfort. Now +get ready quickly." + +"Oh, Ma-ji," he sobbed like a child, "I obey, but my heart is heavy." + +Mr. Gupta had to travel through the night. After an early dinner he +started, attended by many palki-bearers and the old servant. The moon +rose bright and glorious and bathed the picturesque country in soft +radiance. The silence of the forest was broken only by the rhythmic +cries of the bearers and the pat-pat of their feet. The first stream +was reached and the bearers asked for a halt. Consent granted, they +went into the stream to drink of the deeper water. The old servant +crouched by the palki. + +"Thirstest not?" kindly asked his master. + +"Babu-ji, I feel nervous. I will stay near you." + +Gupta wondered what might have unstrung the man, and felt sorry for +him. "Come and sit close to me," he said. + +The night was cold and the old bearer, huddled in his blanket, sat +on the edge of the palki door. + +Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a rapid crash +through the dry grass near the palki, and with a thrilling roar a +tiger leapt at the man and dragged him away. The palki shook, and +the bearer's piteous cry "Babu-ji, Babu-ji, I told you" filled the +forest, and echoed and echoed again as the tiger bore him away. Then +all became still. + +Gupta realised what had happened. He lay back sick with horror, and +felt as if he were the guilty one. For many a day the old man's dying +wail rang in his ears. + + + +Through the Roof + +They were laying the railway through the Hazaribagh district, and +in a low-roofed bungalow at Giridih lived the Engineer in charge of +the work. He was a young Englishman and his only recreation in this +dreary place was riding and shooting. + +The coolies lived in frail little mat houses in the same enclosure +as his bungalow. One morning they came to him in a body to tell him +that during the night a tiger had carried off one of their cows. The +next morning another cow was missing, and on the third his servants +awakened him with the news that his Arab pony was gone. + +He loved the little animal. Many a mile had he scoured on its +back. "Stripes" must be punished for this. He would sit up the coming +night and watch. + +Babus, servants and coolies loudly approved. What was life worth with +such nightly happenings? and the lord of the jungle would surely come +again. Had he not discovered a well-filled larder? + +Work over, the young man loaded his gun, and after dinner took up +his position and awaited the enemy. A reliable servant sat up with him. + +The bungalow was raised on piles a few feet from the ground. It had +brick walls but a thatched roof which sloped very low down on all +sides. The wooden windows were closed. Our friend sat at one of them +with the Venetians slightly stretched. The bungalow was dark and still. + +At last a strange odour filled the air and then the heavy breathing of +the tiger was audible. It came and stood just outside the window. The +young fellow noiselessly pointed his gun through the Venetians and +fired. An angry growl told that the tiger was wounded. Then it charged +forward with a furious roar. The Englishman fired again and this +time thought he had finished it. But the animal charged again with +increased rage. After several attempts at the window it leapt for +the roof and succeeded in clutching the eaves and scrambled up. The +terrified servant cried: "Saheb, come into another room". + +"Don't be a fool!" shouted his master, "the tiger can't come through +the roof." + +In their huts the poor coolies heard the shots and the terrible roars +and growls and dared not come to their master's assistance. The tiger +tore and scratched the thatch with all his might and soon made a +hole. "Look! Saheb!" screamed the servant, "he comes through". + +"I have a loaded gun in my hand", the Saheb replied. + +The hole speedily grew larger as the great cat clawed and growled. The +servant could stand it no longer. He bolted into the next room, +shutting the door between. There he shivered and shook till morning, +when he fled to the railway station a couple of miles away and told the +Sahibs there his tale. They got guns and horses and rode over. They +peered through the shutters and saw the tiger in the room. It +soon scented them and charged with a mighty roar. They retreated +without dignity to a safe distance where all stopped. One said, +"I say! we must see what has happened to the poor chap". Another: +"So many of us and loaded guns! We must do something". A third: +"let's get back and kill the beast". + +They went back and fired shot after shot through the shutters +till the animal was killed. Then they broke into the room and found +their luckless comrade dead on the floor, his loaded gun still in his +hand. The tiger must have killed him with a slap of its mighty paw, and +sat on his body all night, but clearly the animal was not a man-eater. + + + +Earning the Reward + +A man-eating tiger was roaming through Hazaribagh station. It had +killed many villagers and had become so daring that it entered the +market-place in broad day-light. + +A poor old tailor on his way home one evening was seized by the +blood-thirsty animal, and his screams for help filled the little +town. The morning light showed traces of the struggle between man +and beast, and where the latter had been dragged from the main road. + +The villagers did puja that night that all might be saved from a like +fate. A few days after, a ploughman and a little boy stood talking +about the tiger. "How do you know that he won't catch you?" asked +the boy. + +The ploughman answered confidently: "I have done puja". Barely had +the words passed his lips than the tiger leapt upon him. The boy was +startled, but not realising his own danger not only did he not run +but also caught up a stick and tried to save his friend. In spite +of his hitting it the animal began to devour the unfortunate man, +snarling threateningly the while. Then the boy threw away the stick +and fled to the village. The news roused the villagers and they +determined to try to rid themselves of their foe. Armed with spears, +sticks and heavy bamboos they followed the boy to the scene of the +tragedy. But the tiger was gone. + +The Government had offered a handsome reward to any one who would +succeed in killing this tiger and now a poor shop-keeper determined +to win it. He knew nothing of shooting but worked up the ambition +of a friend who could shoot and had a couple of guns. Together they +essayed the difficult job. Difficult it was. The tiger seldom returned +to his kill, nor stopped at a kill any length of time, and was known +to have killed three or four victims in one day. + +However they hoped for success. The villagers had been very careful +of late and the tiger had consequently been obliged to go hungry. It +was just possible he might return to the kill. So they got permission +for a mangled body to be left there, and built a machan near it. At +sunset they took up their places and watched. + +At first the pair felt cheerful. A brilliant moon illuminated +the whole country making everything as clear as day. But no tiger +came. And later, as the hours dragged on, their cramped position, +the nearness of a dead body, the silence and mystery of the night, +all got on their nerves, and they wished they had not attempted such +a task. But to leave now would be dangerous. So they did their best +to encourage each other and waited on. + +In the small hours of the night they distinctly heard the tiger coming +and saw a huge black shadow moving stealthily towards their tree. The +animal looked enormous in the uncertain light and each thought the +machan too low and wished himself in his house in the village. Neither +dared to speak or move. + +Not far from the machan was a hillock. The tiger, after stalking +round the tree, went to the corpse, smelled it, and then crossing to +the hillock climbed up and sat himself there. The men felt sure he +could now see them. + +The tiger began to sniff as if he scented them. Then it yawned +and snarled. The men sat fascinated. Presently the great head +turned towards them. The shopman pulled the trigger of the gun he +held. There was a deafening roar and the tiger disappeared from the +hillock. Then all became still. They knew by the roar of pain that he +was hit. Tigers are clever and often feign death when wounded. They +dared not descend. They were not sure that he was killed. At any +moment he might attack their tree. Comrades in enterprise and fear, +they sat gripping each other in the darkness, for the moon had now set. + +The villagers had heard the shot and at day-break came to the +spot. They found the tiger lying dead at the foot of the hillock. The +heroes could barely descend from the machan, so stiff and aching were +their bones. Together they received the plaudits of the village and +shared the Government reward which to them was quite a small fortune. + + + +A Burmese Monster + +Some years ago Government sent an engineer and party to explore and +prospect in the forests of Burma. None returned. Their disappearance +was a mystery. + +The authorities decided to send another party to ascertain the fate +of the first and continue the work. To induce volunteers, a handsome +salary was offered; and at length an Englishman came forward. He +asked for twice the number of native attendants that the first man +had had. Government granted him his request and provided him with +every facility procurable and he started. + +He followed the course taken by his predecessor up a large river. He +travelled in a big boat and his men in smaller ones. Here and there +they came upon traces of the former party. They pushed on. Suddenly +all indications of the missing ones ceased. He felt he had better stop +and investigate. Tents were landed and pitched and the men began to +prepare their evening meal. + +As he sat in his tent reading, he heard loud shouts and some of +his coolies rushed to him. They said that as they were cooking they +saw a great black thing hanging from a tree above them. When they +made a noise it disappeared. It was long and thick and black. The +coolies were frightened out of their wits and refused to remain in +that place. Argument was of no use; so the tents were taken down and +the party moved on. + +Another spot was selected and here they stayed peacefully for some +days. Suddenly a man was missing. Then another and another! Each +disappeared when alone. The coolies were frightened and uneasy. But +this time the Sahib managed to control them. He himself was anxious +and puzzled. + +Next a coolie who had gone to the river to scour vessels after a meal +disappeared. The plates and lotas were scattered about just as if +he had been suddenly seized. The Englishman thought that a crocodile +must have taken him off. + +Soon after this incident the engineer was fishing in the river opposite +to the camp, and he noticed two coolies coming to the river. They +sat down at the ghat and began to scour their vessels. The murmur of +their voices reached him. + +Presently the boatman clutched his arm and pointed to the bank. He +looked. One of the coolies was chasing a huge hairy monster. The +other could not be seen. + +The engineer soon crossed the river and joined the coolie, still in the +chase after the strange creature. As usual, the Saheb carried a loaded +revolver and as he ran he fired several shots at the animal. They +had no effect on it. The beast ran on with heavy lumbering strides, +covering the ground with great rapidity and only once glancing back +over its shoulders with a horrible grin. He could not overtake it and +it disappeared into the thick jungle. Its hair was so long that it +completely covered the man it carried in its powerful arms. It was +some kind of an orang-outang. + +The mystery was now cleared up. The engineer returned. His task +was accomplished. Later he wrote an account of this adventure and +concluded with these words:--"Now when I see a great hairy spider I +tremble! and the remembrance of that monstrous black form returns to +me, and the hideous grin that thrilled me. Never can I forget it." + + + +The Palki and the Tiger + +In a lonely village in the Hazaribagh district the peaceful dwellers +were one evening disturbed by shrill cries of distress. When they +gathered round the house from whence the cries came, they discovered +that a ghastly murder had been committed. The headman of the village +immediately despatched two messengers for the police. These men +started in the dawn and reached the Police outpost just before sunset. + +The Inspector-in-charge was a Bengalee, named Bose, who was a very +intelligent officer and keen on his work. As soon as he received +information of the murder, he ordered one of his staff to arrange for +a push-push (carriage which is partly drawn and partly pushed by men) +and a set of bearers. He quickly put together a few requisites for +the journey, and was soon ready. The night was not far advanced when +the orderly returned with a push-push and eight bearers, and Bose +started off, attended by his cook and body-servant. + +The road lay through a forest. At times the path was so narrow and +rocky that the men could make little progress, and at last they +declared that the road was impassable for a wheeled conveyance, and +that it was necessary for the Inspector to change into a palki. One +of them said that about two miles off the road there was a village, +and that in the village there lived a rich Hindustani merchant who +might lend a palki. Bose was pleased at the suggestion and told the +push-push bearers to take him to the village. They needed no second +bidding, and the Inspector was soon being trundled across the paddy +fields that lay between the village and the road. Arrived there, +he hastened to the merchant's house and asked to see him. + +A handsome up-countryman came out and when, he saw that his visitor +was a gentleman he courteously asked him to enter and be seated. The +Inspector soon explained his necessity for a palki, and the rich man +placed his at the disposal of the police officer. "But Jenab (Sir)," +he said, "tigers are bad in this forest and you have to pass through a +part known to be a favourite haunt of theirs. Have you any fire-arms?" + +"Only my revolver," said Bose "but I must push on and take my +chance." And as the palki now stood ready and the bearers declared +themselves refreshed, he thanked his host for his ready assistance, +bade him farewell and started once again. + +The bearers were full of spirits after their rest at the merchant's +house and for a mile or two travelled at a rapid pace; but the narrow +winding road impeded their progress, and as the night advanced the +eerie sounds of the forest must have got on their nerves. At the +commencement of the journey they had beguiled the march with stories +of tigers and bears met in the forest, but after some hours of travel +they became silent; and beyond the usual directions of the forward +men concerning the road and occasionally a shrill cry to scare away +wild animals, they made no remarks to each other. + +Within the palki, Bose lay fitfully dozing. The night was oppressive +and his thoughts were on the murder and his chances of a successful +capture of the wrong-doer. The road had become wider and level and +the men were going along at a good pace, when suddenly they dropped +the palki to the ground and fled in all directions. Bose shouted: +"What is up? Why have you run away?" No answer greeted his ears but +a strange odour penetrated his nostrils and he knew there was a tiger +in the jungle. He quickly pulled the doors of the palki jamming them +as securely as he could with the ends of his razai (quilt). Then he +tore the strong border off his dhoti (loin cloth) and commenced to +bind the handles of the doors together. He had just finished firmly +lashing together the handles on one side when he heard an ominous +growling. With frantic haste he bound the handles of the opposite doors +together, praying fervently that he might escape the jaws of the tiger. + +The animal continued growling. Evidently the dark bulk of the palki +frightened him. Bose sat inside, huddled in a heap and breathless. The +tiger, re-assured by the stillness of the object before him, ceased +growling; and presently, the soft thud of his feet and his sniffing +round the palki told the trembling man within that 'Stripes' was +making an investigation. + +Now a mighty roar shook the jungles and Bose realised that the tiger +had leapt upon the roof of the palki and was scratching furiously at +it. Bose clutched the handles of the doors and held on to them with the +grip of despair. The tiger scratched and growled and finally bounded +off the top and began a vigorous assault upon the side. The palki +toppled over on to its other side. Poor Bose congratulated himself +that now one of the doors rested upon Mother Earth and he could give +his whole energy to defending the other. He gripped the handles with +renewed determination and waited. + +The tiger had sustained a shock at seeing the unknown monster he +was tackling roll over, and for a time satisfied himself by growling +savagely. But as the monster lay still "Stripes" tried the experiment +of a sharp blow with his paw. The palki rested on uneven ground and +the blow made it rock. The tiger waited awhile; and when the rocking +had subsided administered another stroke. The palki rocked again. The +situation now developed into a game between the huge cat and the +palki. When he slapped the palki rocked; and when the palki ceased +vibrating the tiger slapped again. Inside the palki, the Inspector +held on to the handles of the door and prayed for deliverance. + +At last the tiger, wearied of the game and purring loudly, walked +away. Bose breathed more freely but knew not if the danger was +past. There he lay gripping the handles of the door and wishing for +daylight. At last the dawn broke and with the first rays of light +courage returned to the bearers and servants, who were hiding in +the branches of the surrounding trees. They called to each other, +expressing anxiety as to their master's fate. Finally, as the daylight +grew stronger they encouraged each other to descend and approach +the palki. + +As they examined it with wonder some very cutting remarks from within +assured them of their master's existence, and with many apologies +for the abrupt way in which they had abandoned him they righted the +palki and assisted him out. + +The journey was soon resumed and Bose had the satisfaction of arresting +the murderer in spite of his ill-timed adventure and forced delay. + + + +An Assam Adventure + +Some years ago, an English baron came out to India to enjoy some +tiger shooting. He received invitations to many Native States, and was +having a right royal time. In the course of his wanderings he came to +Assam. In those days, the jungles of Assam swarmed with tigers but a +"man-eater" was very rarely known there. + +Sir M. was in a small camp with just two or three other guns, and all +were hopeful of "bagging" a tiger, for the roaring of the lords of the +jungle could be heard almost every night. The tents had been pitched +on the bank of a river and all round the camp and on the opposite +bank was heavy jungle. Wild animals abounded in these jungles and the +camp servants did not appreciate the site. No sooner had the Sahebs +finished their dinner than the servants disappeared into their tents, +and securing themselves within, as strongly as they could, devoutly +hoped that the morning light would find them still alive and unharmed. + +One evening Sir M. retired to his own tent immediately after dinner. He +was very tired but as he was not sleepy, he made himself comfortable +and settled down on a long-sleeved chair with a book. His tent was +a small one, with a camp cot, a couple of chairs and a table. On the +table stood a reading lamp. M. was soon absorbed in his book and did +not notice how the hours fled. The camp became quiet and still. It +was a dark close night and the door of his tent stood open, for he +was a lover of air. He had read on for some time when his attention +was drawn to a movement of his tent wall. It seemed to him as if +some one or something was rubbing along the side. He put down his +book and got on to his feet to see what it could be. As he was about +to step forward the head of a tiger loomed in the doorway, the eyes +gleaming brightly. Sir M. stood motionless with surprise and "Stripes" +stepped into the tent. He was a fine specimen of a Royal Bengal tiger, +and M. forgot everything in his admiration of the noble animal. + +The table with the lamp upon it stood between Sir M. and the tiger, +and each stood on either side of it gazing at each other. As the silent +seconds passed, Sir M. realized that he was in danger and bethought +him of his rifle which was almost within reach of his hand; but he +dared not move and so continued gazing steadfastly at his visitor. The +tiger too stood, surveying his vis-a-vis and then began to move round +the table. The lamp either attracted or annoyed him and he raised +his paw to the table. The weight of the huge paw tilted the table, +the lamp toppled and fell with a crash. The terrified tiger gave a +mighty roar, turned tail and fled. + +The camp was aroused. Everyone shouted and rushed out into the night, +armed with some weapon or other. Sir M. related to his brother guns +what had happened and they all enjoyed a good laugh and rather envied +him for the fine sight he had of such a superb specimen of the kings +of the jungle. + + + +A Thrilling Story + +One evening, in Assam, a young Englishman was driving along a lonely +jungle road. He wished to visit a neighbouring Saheb; and though his +servants had warned him that tigers had been frequently seen on that +particular road, he had laughed at their fears and told them that +the only tiger to be feared was a "man-eater", and that there were no +"man-eating" tigers about that district. As usual in the mofussil of +India, he was going out to dine and sleep, and his bearer had put up +his clothes and his suit case was stowed into the dog-cart. + +The road was a good one and considerably wide, for it was the main +thoroughfare in the district and along it tea, jute and all other +agricultural products were transported to the river for export to other +districts of India and also to Europe. Nevertheless it was bordered +on either side by dense jungle, and there were few villages in its +vicinity. After sunset it was a road little frequented by villagers +and it had the reputation of being tiger-haunted. + +There was no moon and, as B. had not started much before sunset, +darkness soon overtook him on the road. As he had no syce with him +he got down to light the trap-lamps and jumped in and drove on again +very cheerily. He was not far from where he must turn off the main +road to the narrow one leading to his friend's estate, when the pony +suddenly took fright at something and bolted. At first B. tried to +pull the animal up; but its erect ears and wild snorting showed him +that there was cause for alarm. He looked over his shoulder and in +the dim starlight discerned the bulk of some animal in pursuit of +them. An eerie feeling came over him and he wondered what was going +to happen. He sat tight in his seat and let the pony race on. The +chase continued and the pony began to show signs of collapse. It was +evidently being overcome by fear and, in spite of all B.'s urging, +could not keep up the pace, and the pursuing animal gained upon +them. B. had just determined to leap from the cart when the pony +tripped and fell and B. was shot out of the cart. He fell into the +long grass on the side of the road, and had barely collected himself +when a dark form sprang upon the pony. + +The poor animal neighed with fear but kicked and fought its +foe. B. rolled down the side of the road and began to crawl away +through the jungle as fast as he could. Long grass and thorny brambles +grew on either side of the road and as it was the dry season every +movement of his made a crackling and rustling; and often he fancied +he heard an animal in pursuit of him, or he would imagine he was +about to meet one coming through the jungle towards him. He pressed +on as fast as he could, sometimes crawling and sometimes walking, +and at last he saw the glimmer of lights and came to some huts. He +shouted to the inmates who came to his assistance. + +When they discovered a Saheb in such a plight they were full of +concern, helped him to their huts, gave him hot milk to drink and +washed his wounds. His clothes were torn and his hands and knees +bleeding from his flight through the thorny jungle. The sympathising +villagers emptied a hut for him to rest in, and when morning came +escorted him to the scene of his mishap. + +The mangled remains of his poor pony told him that the wild animal +had been a very famished tiger. B. returned to his own bungalow a +wiser man, and told his servants that, had he taken their advice, he +would not have suffered such an adventure or the loss of his pony. He +rewarded the villagers for their kindness and hospitality and for a +long time his escape was the talk of the district. + + + +A Cachar Tiger + +In the province of Assam lies a fertile and picturesque valley called +Cachar. Shut in on north, south and east by lofty hills, this valley +remained hidden for centuries and was never conquered by any of the +Mahommedan rulers of India. + +Here a race of aboriginal kings held sway, and it was the East India +Company who first became masters of this hilly corner of Bengal. In +1830, the last of the old Cachari kings died without heir, and +"Company Bahadoor" took possession of the little kingdom. + +In 1855, the discovery of the tea-plant, growing wild in the jungles, +opened out a new industry, and soon the low-lying hills, knolls and +undulating plains of the little valley became gradually clear of +jungle, and covered instead with row after row of carefully-kept and +trim tea bushes. To-day acres upon acres of tea are grown in Cachar; +and the inland steamers, which ply all through the rainy season up +and down the wide-rolling stream of the river Barak, bring down for +export millions of pounds of tea for the "cheering cup". + +Cachar is rich in forests, and tigers and other wild animals are there +in plenty. During the monsoon the jungle animals retreat to the higher +levels of the forest-clad hills. But when the rains abate they begin +to gradually descend; and when the great "hoars" or fenlands dry up +at the approach of the cold season, numerous tigers take up their +winter haunts in the patches of jungle, which grow here and there in +the marsh lands, and in the forests which often surround or separate +the tea gardens. + +It was cold-weather time about forty years ago, and four planters +sat talking after dinner in the Manager's bungalow on a tea garden +in Cachar. We will call them M., B., C. and H. + +The bungalow, like many bungalows in tea districts, stood on a +high hill, the steep sides of which had been terraced and planted +with tea. On adjacent but lower hills stood the factory and coolie +lines. Everything was quiet and lay wrapped in a heavy fog. + +In the verandah near the steps sat the bungalow chowkidar +(watchman). The charity of the Tea Company had provided him and his +fellow-coolies with blankets. And he wore his in the usual pachim +(North-West Provinces) style: one end of the blanket is pleated and +tied closely with a piece of string, the short part above the cord +forming a tuft. The wearer pulls the pleated end of the blanket over +his head, the tuft resting on his crown. The sides of the blanket are +drawn round the body, and thus the blanket is made to form both a hood +and a cloak, in which the wearer hugs himself against the inclemency +of the weather. + +The chowkidar sat on his mat huddled up in his blanket, droning one +of the time-honoured bhajans (hymns) of India. + +Presently he disappeared and, next, piercing yells rent the mist-laden +atmosphere. The four Sahebs were in the verandah in a trice, and soon +discovered the chowkidar returning to the verandah, visibly shaken +and without his blanket. + +"What is the matter, and who shouted?" asked the Manager. + +"Saheb," the chowkidar replied in a quavering voice "a tiger sprang +on me and caught the knot of my blanket." + +"Here!" interrupted the four Englishmen incredulously. + +"Yes, Huzoor (Your Honour), as I sat here against this post the tiger +came, seized the knot of my blanket and began to pull. Like lightning +I made my plan. I grasped with a strong tight hold the sides of the +blanket and holding myself together like a ball I let Lord Tiger +pull. He dragged me to the edge of the tila (hill). There I suddenly +let go the blanket and shouted with all my might. The tiger fell over, +down the hill, and is gone." + +Sure enough, there were the foot-marks of the tiger, the mark of +the drag, and the signs of where "Stripes" had slipped over and down +the terrace. + +The tiger had been harrying the coolies for some time and a rumour +had got about that he was a man-eater. It was pretty certain that he +would come again the next night; so the planters determined to sit +up and shoot him. + +On the following night after dinner M. B. C. and H. took their +positions on the verandah. Each had his loaded gun and all waited +patiently for the tiger. Time passed. It was weary work and they dozed. + +M.'s dog had wandered off to the kitchen as usual after dinner. After +some time it returned hurriedly and ran up the steps of the verandah, +barking in a frightened manner. The dog's barking woke the four +men. B. sat first near the steps and H. not far from him in a +dining-room chair. + +The dog ran into the dining-room and hid himself under the table and +everything again became quiet, and the men waited. Suddenly a hoarse +cry paralysed three of them. "He's on me. Shoot." + +The tiger had come up on to the verandah and springing at B. caught him +by the arm. Then, releasing the arm, he made a spring at his victim's +throat. B. was instantly on his feet and, as the tiger essayed his +throat, he rammed his clenched fist into the animal's mouth. The +tiger shook the man's fist out of its mouth and made another attempt +to reach his throat. B. repeated his manoeuvre. This happened three +or four times. + +In the meantime the other three men dared not shoot for fear of missing +the ferocious cat and killing their comrade. H. had the presence of +mind to swiftly fix his bayonet, and, rushing towards the tiger, he +thrust it in the animal's side, firing as he did so. The tiger fell +backwards off the verandah mortally wounded, but to the amazement +of the Sahebs struggled tip and made another attempt to get at B. He +was however too badly wounded and fell back dead. + +B.'s hand and arm were terribly mauled, and after medical treatment +he had to go home on long leave. + + + +A Maharajah's Adventures + +A Maharajah of Bengal who became a noted sportsman shot his first +tiger when he was quite a small boy. When about twelve years of +age he went out on a shoot one cold weather on his estate. He was +accompanied by some of his relatives, and they encamped in one of +the forest bungalows. This bungalow was just an ordinary Assam house +built on a chang or raised platform. It consisted of a large centre +room with a bedroom on either side and a deep verandah in the front, +where the servants slept at night. Under large trees, some little +distance away, the elephants were chained, and not far off were +stables for the horses. + +The Maharajah shared his room with a friend, a lad about two years +older than himself. One night between ten and eleven o'clock, when +all were in bed and asleep after a tiring day and an early dinner, +the near roaring of a tiger awakened the camp. In a twinkling the +servants had transferred themselves and their bedding from the verandah +into the centre room and securely bolted the door. Roar after roar +sounded through the night, but the young Maharajah slept the healthful +and deep sleep of tired childhood and the mighty voice of the lord +of the jungle did not disturb him. His friend was awakened by the +majestic sound and lay trembling with fear; envying his blissfully +unconscious companion, until the nearness of the tiger broke down +his self-control and, vigorously shaking his bed-fellow, he shouted +in his ear: "Tiger, tiger!" + +The young Maharajah awoke, yawned, stretched and listened. The roaring +had ceased but under the bungalow they could hear the purring of a +tiger as it rubbed itself against a post. The younger and fearless +boy laughed with glee and assured his friend that there was no danger +of the tiger getting into the bungalow, and that on the morrow they +would be easily able to track and shoot it. Soon the sounds of purring +and rubbing gave place to others, and the occupants of the bungalow +realised that more than one tiger played beneath them. Next day in +the jungle near the forest bungalow the party shot a couple of tigers, +a tigress and her cubs. + +In later years the Maharajah became famous for his shoots and many and +varied were his adventures and experiences. One year he was in camp +with a large party and they were out one afternoon after buffaloes. A +fine bull was driven out of a patch of thick jungle and faced the guns +with defiance in his eyes. He was a grand target and the Maharajah's +finger ached to pull his trigger, but courtesy forbade him and he +generously, as always, left the fine prize for his guests. But, one +after another, each missed his shot and the noble bull charged past +into thicker jungle. As the line of guns attempted to follow, one +of them spied a leopard up on a tree looking thoroughly scared. This +animal had evidently been disturbed by the commotion in the forest and +had been so terrified that it had climbed into a tree for shelter; and +there, on a branch, poor "Spots" fell an easy prey to the sportsmen. + +One of the strangest adventures that the Maharajah had was when, +returning to camp one evening, he was informed that one of his largest +and best elephants, "Kennedy", had got stuck in quicksand. In many +parts of Assam there are quicksands and quagmires. This particular one +chanced to be in a nala (stream). The elephant had refused to cross +the partially dried-up stream. Instinct had warned him through the +tip of his trunk that danger lurked there, but his mahout (driver), +anxious to get into camp after a hard day and knowing that across +this stream was a short cut, had forced him. They had advanced but +a yard or two when the huge animal began to sink, and the more he +struggled and strove to extricate himself the deeper he sank. The +Maharajah hastened to the spot as soon as he heard of the catastrophe, +for "Kennedy" was a fine and valuable elephant and a steady one for +shikar (shooting). At the sound of his master's voice poor "Kennedy" +looked towards the bank, and the Maharajah saw that great tears of +anguish were rolling down the poor beast's face as he bellowed in +an agony of fear. The Maharajah directed the men who had gathered +around the scene to fell some saplings, which were conveyed to the +nala by some smaller elephant and pushed into the quagmire towards +"Kennedy". The poor entrapped animal seemed to understand that efforts +were being made to rescue him, and he obeyed his driver's now soothing +voice and held himself still. At last, the combined labours of men +and brother-elephants provided a safe footing of submerged saplings +and branches; and "Kennedy" pulled himself out of the treacherous +sand and was escorted back to the camp with great rejoicings. + +Not long after this "Kennedy" distinguished himself in another way, +but this time evoked the displeasure and not the pity of his good +master. An engineer, named Ashton, had charge of the feilkhana +(elephant stables) and had once severely punished "Kennedy". After +the manner of his kind, the elephant bore the memory of the outrage +in his heart and waited the opportunity to be revenged. One morning +the camp was astir for a shoot. The guests stood ready outside +their tents and the elephants were waiting to carry them into the +forest. Suddenly "Kennedy" charged at Ashton, who stood a little +apart from the group, and flinging him to the ground began to roll +him under his feet. The Maharajah, with wonderful presence of mind, +immediately ordered "Debraj", a larger and more powerful elephant than +"Kennedy" and his rival in the feilkhana, to the rescue. "Debraj's" +mahout ordered him to charge at "Kennedy", and, urged forward with +voice and prong; "Debraj" did so with a good will. When "Kennedy" +saw his ancient enemy charging at him, he forgot his grudge against +Ashton, and, considering that "he who fights and runs away lives to +fight another day", he bolted, with his trunk in the air. Ashton was +picked up from the dust very much shaken by his rolling and fright but, +to the astonishment of every one, in no way injured. + +During one of his shooting expeditions, the Maharajah and his +companions decided one night that they would go out on foot at +the very break of dawn and see the animal world in the jungle; and +they were well rewarded for their adventurous spirit. In a glade +of the forest they had a magnificent sight of a large herd of bison +peacefully grazing in the dewy grass. They could hear tigers and bears +passing back through the jungles to their dens in the deeper forest, +and as the men stood there admiring the grand heads of the bison a +monstrous tiger passed along quite close to one of the party, the +Maharajah's brother-in-law. On the bank of a river they came upon +a nest of young pythons. The guests thought it was a curious mound; +but the Maharajah recognised the reared heads of the young snakes and +told his friends what the heap was. When they came closer, they could +see that the long slimy bodies were all twisted together; and with an +uncanny feeling, the sportsmen watched these serpents uncoil themselves +from each other and glide away and disappear through the grass. + +Once, after a long and fruitless day in the jungles, the Maharajah +decided he would try his luck stalking some deer that he spied on the +opposite side of a narrow strip of jungle. He accordingly left his +elephant and began to creep through the long dry bramble-choked grass +with his rifle in his hand. As he pushed his way through the thick +jungle he fancied he heard an animal breathing and then something +crackled. Intent on the deer before him, he concluded that he had +broken a twig or a branch with the end of his rifle and pushed on. As +he emerged from the thicket on the opposite side from where he had +entered, he came face to face with a group of shepherds. They stared +at him in amazement and then, recognising him as their Maharajah, fell +at his feet in rapturous joy. Accustomed as he was to demonstrations +from his people, their abandon struck him as something unusual, and he +was about to question them when they exclamed: "Hoozoor, Dharmabatar, +(Your Honor, Royal Master,) how did you come in safety through that +jungle?" He smiled at their wonderment and was about to chide them +gently when they continued: "An immense tiger has just slain one of +our cows and dragged it into that very jungle from which Your Honor has +emerged." The Maharajah now understood that the sound he had heard as +he pushed his way through the jungle was the tiger enjoying a feed of +his kill, and he felt thankful that he had not stumbled directly upon +it. Like the keen sportsman he was, he signalled his elephant and, +mounting it, secured the feasting tiger with an easy shot. + +One cold season, the Viceroy was enjoying a shoot on the Maharajah's +estates. One evening, as they were dressing for dinner, there came +through the stillness of the restful air the "twitter" of a tiger. Do +many of my readers know what the "twitter" of a tiger is? It is a sound +the Monarch of the Jungle makes and it is just like the twitter of a +bird;--in fact, some declare it is only the twitter of a bird. Well, +on this particular evening, the tiger must have been passing quite +close to the camp, for his "twitter" was clear and unmistakeable. The +Maharajah, with his usual courtesy, immediately bethought himself of +his guests, and invited Their Excellencies to come out into the open +and listen to the novel sound. They did, and very pleased and proud +they were when they heard the tiger's "twitter" clearly and distinctly +through the gathering shade and stillness of the darkening night. + +The shooting camps were invariably pitched on the bank of a river or +stream. One evening, two of the servants crossed the shallow stream in +front of the camp to enjoy some fishing. They found a suitable place +behind a mound and here they sat quietly watching their lines. The +afternoon hours passed swiftly and the sun was nearing the horizon +when their attention was simultaneously drawn to a sound above their +heads. Looking up, to their horror, they saw an immense tiger just +above them. One of them shivered with terror and, clutching his +companion, said in a hoarse whisper: "Our hour has come." The other +whispered back: "Keep perfectly still and quiet." Breathless, the two +watched the huge tiger descend the bank and pass majestically to the +edge of the water where he stopped to quench his thirst. It seemed to +the two trembling men that it took the Lord of the Jungle fully half +an hour to drink his fill. Then, as slowly and impressively, the tiger +turned from the stream and ascended the bank. When he reached the top +he stood there, gazing before him either as if admiring the scenery +or contemplating a meal off one of the men. The pair scarcely dared to +breathe and wild schemes of taking to their heels to gain the centre of +the stream and swim down the river shot through their brains. At last +the tiger slowly turned away from the river and disappeared into the +forest. Then, after some time, the frightened servants hurried across +the stream back to camp, and told the Maharajah of their terrible +experience. The footprints of the animal corroborated their story +and their asseveration that they had seen a very very big tiger. + +During one of the shoots, the shikaris (native sportsmen) brought news +that a rhino had been seen in a certain jungle. The guests were much +excited and a beat was organised for the next day. The morning dawned +and all set out and were soon posted to their various positions. The +front "stop" guns were on the bank of a river. The Maharajah was in +the beating line. When about half way through the piece of jungle +he noticed that one of his brother guns looked disappointed. He +accordingly asked "What's up?" The guest answered that he thought that +a large animal had broken back. However nothing was discovered and as +it was mid-day a halt for lunch was considered desirable. A spot was +soon selected and the signal given and the lines broke up. Just as +the foremost elephants were about to kneel to permit their riders to +dismount, there arose from the "stop" elephants a cry of "Tiger". In +the jungle, quite close to one of the "stop" guns, a tiger was enjoying +a feed of a wild pig; and as the elephant turned to join the others, +he almost trod on the tiger. In a moment the line was re-organised, +but the surprised tiger, finding itself surrounded by foes, turned +tail and ran down the bank of the river. The stream was nearly dry +and the bed was very shingly, and as the startled tiger picked its +way gingerly across the pebbles and pools of water it looked like a +stranded cat. It had not progressed very far when a well-directed shot +laid it low; and with this unexpected prize the party sat down to lunch +in excellent spirits. As rhino generally fight shy of elephants, they +did not think there was much use continuing the beat after lunch. So +they decided that they should make tracks for home and have general +shooting. General shooting means that there is no beating line. A +long straight line of march is formed, and each gun elephant is in +between the pad or beating elephants. The Maharajah was almost the +last gun in the line. Nearly all were out of the jungle when his keen +and practised eye noticed a small pad elephant jib at something as +they passed through a piece of jungle. "Did your elephant refuse to +come through?" he questioned the mahout of the small elephant. "Yes, +Maharajah, he smelt something in the jungle," the man replied. "Beat +this piece of jungle", the Maharajah quickly ordered the pad elephants +with him. They beat it and drove forth a rhino which fell dead to the +Maharajah's gun. Before His Highness had time to take up his other +rifle, a second galloped out of the jungle and charged straight at +the Maharajah's elephant. The elephant spun round to avoid the furious +onslaught and in the meantime the Maharajah managed to raise his gun +and, getting in his shot in spite of the gyrations of the elephant, +laid out rhino No. 2 in grand style to the applause of his companions. + +Coming back to camp in the dusk one evening, the Maharajah, who had +wonderful eyesight, thought he saw a tiger lying still in an open +field. He raised his gun and whispered to his mahout. As they came +nearer, the tiger--for tiger it was--raised itself to its feet and +prepared to spring at the elephant. Too late! Snap went the Maharajah's +trigger and the royal beast lay dead. + +These are but a few of the shooting adventures of a sportsman-Maharajah +who has gone on the long journey from life to the greater life beyond, +but whose memory lives in the annals of Bengal as a keen and successful +shot. + + + + + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by +Maharanee Sunity Devee + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS *** + +***** This file should be named 10928-8.txt or 10928-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/2/10928/ + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Million Book Project) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/old/10928-8.zip b/old/old/10928-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1411300 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/10928-8.zip diff --git a/old/old/10928.txt b/old/old/10928.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..06a0510 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/10928.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2598 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by Maharanee Sunity Devee + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Bengal Dacoits and Tigers + +Author: Maharanee Sunity Devee + +Release Date: January 18, 2010 [EBook #10928] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS *** + + + + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Million Book Project) + + + + + + + + + + + BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS + + by + + Maharanee Sunity Devee, C.I. + of Cooch Behar + + + + +Contents + + Dacoit Stories + + The Jhee's Discovery + Trapped by a Cobra + Saved by a Bear + Raghu Dacoit + Girl as Kali-Ma + The Deputy Magistrate + All for Nothing + A Punjabee Dacoit + A Child's Experience + Two Chinese Dacoits + An Unfaithful Servant + + Tiger Stories + + The Bearer's Fate + Through the Roof + Earning the Reward + A Burmese Monster + The Palki and the Tiger + An Assam Adventure + A Thrilling Story + A Cachar Tiger + A Maharajah's Adventures + + + + + + +PART I + +Dacoit Stories + + + +The Jhee's Discovery + +It was the month of Jaishta (May-June) in Bengal, and the earth +languished under the scorching rays of the sun and sent up a voiceless +prayer to the Rain God to come soon and refresh the fields and jungles +with the welcome "barsat" (rainy season). + +Yet, in spite of the intense heat, a young and delicately nurtured +Bengali lady was travelling. She was on her way to pay a visit to +her parents-in-law, for after marriage the bride returns to her +childhood's home and remains there, paying visits from time to time +to her husband's home until the day comes when she goes to live there. + +It is a Bengali custom that ladies, especially young ladies, must +always wear their jewellery, even when travelling. Arms, wrists, +neck and ankles, bare of jewels, are a sign of widowhood or dire +poverty. Out young heroine was accordingly adorned with jewels and she +was also richly attired. Was she not the daughter of a wealthy man and +going to visit her mother-in-law? So her mother had lovingly dressed +her in an exquisite gold-embroidered Benares silk saree of finest +texture and superb workmanship, and the jewellery, which adorned her +graceful arms, neck and ankles, was in keeping with the richness of +her costume. + +Twelve bearers took turns in carrying the covered palanquin or palki +in which she travelled. They had been in her father's service for +many years and were known, to be trustworthy. A faithful jhee (maid) +accompanied her, sometimes walking beside the palki and at other +times sitting within, to fan her young mistress and help to enliven +the weary journey with tales of former travels. Two men-servants, +whom in Bengal we call durwans and who are permitted to bear arms +in defence of their masters' goods, completed the party. One of +them walked on either side of the palanquin and each carried a naked +sword in his hand. These two men were tried and trusted retainers of +the young lady's father, and were prepared to defend their master's +daughter even at the cost of their lives. + +The route lay through a lonely country district with stretches of +rice-fields scattered between, and villages nestling here and there +among groves of trees. At. one of these villages the party halted +awhile for rest and refreshment, and then on again in the fierce heat +of a close Indian day. + +Thus many miles had been passed; and the evening shades were beginning +to cool the wearisome day, when the travellers drew near to a group of +trees not far from a small tank (artificial lake). The palki-bearers +sighted this ideal resting-place and asked the jhee to inform their +young mistress of it, and beseech that they might stop there and +refresh themselves with a draught of water, after which they would +be able to travel still faster, + +A gracious consent was readily given by the fair one within the +palanquin. She had found the heat almost beyond endurance, and pitied +the bearers who had the weight of her palki and herself added to +their sufferings. + +The palanquin was gently set down under a large and shady tree, and +the durwans respectfully withdrew a little distance to permit of the +jhee raising the covering, so that their kind mistress might also +enjoy the grateful shade and coolness of the grove. + +The spot was lonely and their responsibility great, so the men decided +among themselves that they should divide into two parties. Six should +remain with the guard to protect their fair charge in case of any +untoward happening while the other six refreshed themselves at +the lake. + +This plan was no sooner agreed upon than the first six trooped off +gleefully towards the tank. The others stretched themselves in the +shade and relaxed their limbs in the interval of waiting. + +Time passed unheeded till it dawned upon some of those who waited that +they still thirsted and that the first six seemed too long away. They +asked the jhee to obtain leave for them to go and hurry the others up +and refresh themselves at the same time, so that the journey might +soon be resumed as the evening sun was nearing the horizon, and if +they delayed further night would overtake them. The young lady gave +the desired permission and the second six soon disappeared towards +the tank. They too were long away! + +The jhee felt uneasy but kept her fears to herself. Suddenly she too +disappeared. Without a word to her mistress she had decided to see what +the bearers were doing at the tank. Climbing up a tree, she crept along +an overhanging branch and a dreadful sight met her horrified gaze. Some +of the bearers lay dead in the shallow water and the surviving ones +were fighting desperately for their lives with a small band of outlaws. + +Rushing back to the palki with the utmost speed and regardless +of onlookers, she flung wide the door, screaming frantically, +"Dacoits! dacoits! run, didi (elder sister), run. With these eyes of +mine I saw them. I climbed a tree and saw them. Some of our bearers +lie dead and they are killing the others. Fly! fly for your life!" With +these words she turned and led the way with swiftness impelled by fear. + +The lonely occupant of the palanquin received the awful tidings with +horror and dismay. Often had she heard tales of dacoits and their +ruthless deeds. For a fleeting instant the thought, that she must fall +a victim to such desperados, paralysed her with fear; but only for an +instant. Her woman's wit and ingenuity moved her to action. Quickly +she divested herself of her heavy jewelled anklets. How could she +run thus weighted? and might not their value satisfy the greed of the +highwaymen? Flinging them down in the palanquin, she hastily closed +the doors and dropped the covering over its sides. Let them think +she was within. The search of the palki would delay them awhile. + +Then tucking up her rich satee she too started to run for her life. She +had gone but a few steps when the voices of the two durwans arrested +her. They had heard the jhee's distracted cry, and their only thought +was for their young mistress. + +"Didi," they said, addressing her affectionately and respectfully by +the endearing name of sister, which is a custom permitted in Bengal to +the servants of every household. In the home of her girlhood a girl is +addressed as "didi" (sister) and in her father-in-law's house as "bow" +(son's wife). Sons of the family are addressed as "dada" (brother, +strictly elder brother) and sons-in-law as "jamai". + +"Didi, fear not! As long as there is breath in these bodies we will +defend you. If the dacoits overtake us, we will guard you. No harm +shall come to you." + +Encouraged by their presence and words, the girl made all possible +speed. But her delicate feet were unused to rough, hard roads, +and, despite her will and brave efforts, she tripped and stumbled +continually. In Bengal, in the hot dry weather, the country roads +are difficult to traverse. The deep ruts of the rainy season dry up +and the once muddy earth crumbles into thick heavy dust, into which +the feet of the wayfarers sink. Fast travelling is difficult even for +those who are used to journeying, so the poor young lady made little +headway and was soon overtaken by her pursuers. They had not been +long in discovering her flight and were soon racing after her from +under the tree. As she ran she heard their shouts, and then realised +that they had caught up with her guard who were resisting them. + +The poor girl ran on and on alone, and presently saw a tiny hamlet +hidden among some trees. She made for this as fast as her trembling +limbs could carry her and rushed breathlessly into a small red +brick-house, the door of which stood slightly ajar, crying: "Shut +the door! Dacoits are following me!" Then, overcome with fear and +exhaustion, she sank unconscious upon the floor. + +The ladies of the little household ran forward on hearing her cry and +shut the door promptly. Dacoits were known and feared everywhere. Then +they tenderly ministered to the stranger. As soon as she recovered +her senses, she related to them what had befallen her and implored +their protection. + +The master of the house immediately despatched a messenger to a distant +police outpost for aid. Soothed and comforted, the girl eagerly hoped +and prayed for the arrival of her attendants. + +After some time, word was brought in that a palki was approaching. Even +in the dark the approach of a palki is made known by the rhythmic cries +of the bearers. Soon it arrived in front of the red brick-house and +the bearers, halting, asked loudly if a strange lady, richly attired +and decked with jewels, was within. From an upper window the master +of the house answered them, while the girl and her kindly hostess +listened anxiously downstairs. The pseudo palki-bearers next informed +the listeners that they were the servants of a very wealthy man and +had been conveying his daughter to her parents-in-law's house. + +"But" they boldly declared, "our master's daughter is such a +troublesome girl. She causes us much anxiety whenever she is sent to +visit her mother-in-law. She is so unwilling to go that it is with +great difficulty that we get her safely there." + +The anxious listeners within felt sure these were the dacoits and +longed for the arrival of the police. The disguised thieves persisted +in their questioning for some time in spite of the house master's +repeated advice that they had better search elsewhere. At last they +departed carrying the palki with them. And the dwellers in the red +brick-house breathed more freely. But not for long. + +The village was a tiny one and the pretended bearers soon returned +from their search. Planting the palki in the doorway, they shouted: +"We know for certain that our mistress is hiding somewhere. We feel +sure she is in your house. Here we will sit till you send her forth." + +On hearing these words the poor pursued girl fell at the feet of her +host, calling herself his daughter and addressing him as "father", and +implored of him not to give her up to these awful dacoits. The good +man assured her of his protection while his wife raised her from the +floor, and, embracing her, said they would all sooner suffer death +than give her up. + +The trying hours dragged on till past midnight. Then the dacoits +announced that the lady must be produced or they would force an +entrance into the house. No reply was given to this ultimatum. The +highwaymen waited awhile and then assailed the door with heavy blows. + +The distraught girl besought her hostess to take her jewels and +hand them out to the burglars and thus ensure peace and safety for +all. The mistress of the house declared this would not satisfy the +ruffians and once more assured her guest that, whatever happened, +they would strive to protect her. + +Presently the door gave way and, with coarse oaths and triumphant +threats, the dacoits entered. But unknown to them,--so busy had they +been hammering and swearing,--the police had arrived and now followed +in on their heels. The dacoits were all captured and confessed their +guilt as to the murder of the palki-bearers and the probable death +of the two durwans, who, they averred, had fought like tigers. + +The bodies of these two devoted servants were found, all battered +and bruised, on the roadside and were given honourable cremation by +their master, whose daughter they had saved by their devotion. + +The jhee was found close to the spot, hiding among the branches of a +tree. She had witnessed the fight between the durwans and dacoits and +the flight and pursuit of her mistress. When both reached home again, +the jhee filled up dull hours with vivid accounts of their adventure. + +This little story is a true one and shows how difficult and dangerous +travel was in the old days in Bengal. Travelling by palki is now +in many parts a thing of the past, for the whole Province is being +linked together by a network of railways. Good roads and better police +arrangements also lessen the terrors of travelling in places where +railways are still wanting. + + + +Trapped by a Cobra + +Not many years ago a young married lady was journeying alone. + +It is not customary in India for young women, even if married, to go +out by themselves. The purdah system unfits them for independence. Even +when going for a short distance by palanquin or just for a carriage +drive, a chaperon is necessary. + +Yet occasions arise when it is imperative that they should journey, +but no suitable escort can be found or spared for the purpose. They +are then obliged to go with servants. It may seem strange that young +ladies should be permitted to travel alone with servants. But readers +who know India will not be surprised, for Indians treat their servants +after the patriarchal system, especially those who have served the +family for generations. Even hired attendants, like the driver in +this story, are thoroughly trusted when known to the family. + +The young lady was on her way to visit her father and mother. Indian +parents-in-law cannot visit at the parental home of their +daughter-in-law. Therefore bow-ma journeyed alone with her little son, +a child of about five years of age. + +The distance was not a long one, only from Calcutta to Durgapore, a +village a few miles away from the city. So a hackney-carriage was hired +with a driver who had often before been employed by her father-in-law, +and everyone felt assured bow-ma would reach her destination safely. + +Her mother-in-law saw her into the carriage. Her little boy was lifted +up beside her, and, with many injunctions to drive carefully and with +speed ringing in his ears, the driver whipped up his horses and they +were off. + +Bow-ma knew the road well. Often had she journeyed to and fro in +the early years of her married life, and even after the birth of her +little son her visits to her parents had been frequent. + +The carriage was close and her heavy silken saree hot to wear, so +she opened the venetians and lazily watched the familiar landmarks +as they passed. She had started early so that the journey should be +accomplished in day-light, and still they did not reach home. She +noted the various trees and hedges and was puzzled. Surely, the road +seemed different. The sun, a ball of golden fire, sank to rest in +a bed of many-tinted clouds, and still they had not arrived. Bow-ma +felt strangely anxious. + +The carriage suddenly swerved. To her dismay she saw they had turned +into a rough and untravelled road with paddy-fields on either side. The +place seemed lonely. It was now rapidly growing dark, for in India +after sun-set Night does not long delay her coming. A presentiment of +evil clutched bow-ma's heart. She whispered to her little boy to ask +the driver where they were and when they should arrive. In India it +is not permitted a woman to address any man save her husband, father, +and brothers. + +The child obeyed but the driver made no reply. "Ask again," whispered +the mother, "he has not heard you." + +The boy asked, "When shall we arrive?" again and again, but not a +word answered the driver. + +Bow-ma, now thoroughly alarmed, beat the shutters of the carriage +and commanded her son to shout loudly. The boy screamed at the top +of his voice, "Why don't you reply? What road is this?" + +The driver now answered disrespectfully: "You will soon know where +you are going," and laughed. + +His rude gruff tone and evasive answer confirmed bow-ma's worst +fears. The awful word dacoits stood out in her mind in letters of +fire. Horror and dread filled her soul. Drawing her child towards +her, she hushed his eager questioning and waited in silent anguish +for the coming danger. + +The carriage bumped and rattled over the uneven road. Presently it +stopped. It was now almost dark. The door was jerked open and a harsh +voice commanded: "Get out of the carriage." Bow-ma recognised the +driver's voice and, realising the futility of objecting, without a +word she stepped down and helped her little son to alight. + +"Follow me" was the next rough order. Again she silently obeyed. The +man left the road and led her a little distance away under the shadow +of some trees. "Take off your jewels. Give them to me." A faint sigh +of relief escaped her. Perhaps the jewels were all he wanted. Quickly +she unclasped her handsome necklet and gave it him. He grasped it +greedily with one hand and extended the other for more. One by one she +stripped her wrists and arms of their lovely bracelets and bangles and +handed them to him. "More" he growled. She pulled the rings from her +fingers and added to them her ear and nose rings. "Your waist chain" +he snapped. She unclasped and dropped its golden weight into those +greedy hands. "Take off your anklets, I want all" he sneered. She +knelt on the ground to unclasp them. Then, rising, handed them to him, +wondering what more would follow. + +Meanwhile the child wept bitterly, and angrily forbade the driver +to take his mother's jewels, calling him robber and thief. "Yes, +dacoit I am," the scoundrel replied to the boy's revilings, "and if +you will not be quiet, I will teach you how to." Bow-ma gently strove +to console and silence her son. "Fret not! Your father will give me +more and better jewels." + +"Take off your saree" was the next outrageous command. The boy's +indignation flamed afresh. His mother took an unguarded step forward +and asked: "Are not my jewels enough that you want the saree off +my back?" + +"Aye, your saree and all you have. Silence your child or I will kill +him." Terrible was the harsh voice in its determination. Bow-ma's +heart stood still. Entreaty would be of no avail. She unwound the +richly-embroidered silken folds from about her and cast the gold and +green saree at his feet: "Take it." + +"You have stripped my mother," screamed the boy. The ruffian caught +the saree with a fearful oath and turning on him said: "Now I can +deal with you. I will fetch a brick from yonder kiln and pound the +breath out of you," With these words he strode forward, tying the +jewels in the saree as he went. Now her sorely-tried nerves gave way, +and, distracted with grief, bow-ma caught her child in her arms, +and their mingled cries rent the air. But the thief did not return. + +About midnight a village policeman going his rounds heard their +cries. At first he paid no heed to them: jackals swarmed and disturbed +the night. Again the anguished voices quivered in the air. There was +something human in the sound. He stopped to listen. The cries rose +again. He walked forward in their direction. Clearer, as he advanced, +shrilled the distressed voices, and he recognised they were those +of a woman and a child. He quickened his steps and hastened to +the spot. The light from his lantern revealed bow-ma and her son, +clinging to each other and weeping piteously. + +"Who are you? What ails you?" he asked. The distraught mother, +unconscious of the flight of time, thinking him the heartless dacoit +returned to kill her boy, fell at his feet in an agony of supplication: +"Spare my son. Take my life instead." + +"I am a chowkidar (watchman). What is up?" But so dulled were her +ears with fear and grief that he was twice obliged to repeat his +words. When the joyful intelligence reached her brain she burst into +tears. "O! save my son." Then the consciousness that the danger +was past reminded her of her own plight, and she sobbed: "Give me +something to wear." + +The policeman had noticed her semi-nude state. Dropping, his pugree +at her feet he turned away. She shook out its many folds and draped +it about her body. Then she related what had befallen her and pointed +towards the direction the thief had taken. + +The policeman walked cautiously forward, his lantern raised in one +hand and his lathi tightly grasped in the other. A few yards ahead +he came to an old brick kiln. Here, prone among the broken bricks, +lay the robber in greater straits than his victims. A huge cobra was +tightly coiled round his right arm, while on the left hung the saree +and the jewels. The rays of the lantern disturbed the snake. With +an angry hiss it uncoiled itself and disappeared. The dacoit, more +dead than alive from simple fear of the snake's fatal sting, yielded +himself a prisoner, and it was subsequently discovered that the whole +gang, of whom he was a member, were licensed hackney drivers. + + + +Saved by a Bear + +The evening shadows and silence had settled on the river Hooghly as an +old Brahman wended his way to one of the many ghats (landing places). + +The dinghis--little boats which ply backwards and forwards all day +carrying passengers to and from Calcutta--had all been made fast +for the night. Some of the boatmen were cooking their evening meal, +while others sat about on the decks smoking and singing. Many of the +boats were wedged close together and drawn up on to the bank. + +But one lay well in the water and some distance from its +fellow-craft. Its manjhi (headman) stood on the stern deck, binding +together the mat roof of his boat. His seemingly careless gaze took +in the Brahman, about to descend the bank. He noted that the old man +carried a parcel, partially concealed in his chadar (scarf), and, +from the manner in which he hugged it, the observer concluded it +contained something valuable. As the Brahman came nearer, the manjhi +saw it was a bag of money. + +The old man picked his way down the bank and called upon boat after +boat to take him to a small village near Serampore, for in those days +there was no railway. None were willing to go so far. Meanwhile a +whispered consultation had taken place between the manjhi and dhars +(oarsmen) of the furthest dinghi. When the Brahman finally accosted +them, they first demurred and then, as though still reluctant, +consented to hire their boat. + +Just as they were pushing off, a man with a performing bear ran down +the bank. "Where goest thou?" he asked. + +"Serampore" answered the Brahman before the boatman could reply. + +"My home is near by," the man remarked gladly, and jumped into the +boat, pulling his bear after him. + +The boatmen scowled angrily: "Get out, we go not so far." But he +would not. The manjhi warned him that he and his bear would gain +nothing by forcing themselves into the boat. + +"These boatmen are queer customers," he laughingly remarked to the +Brahman, and to them: "Gain nothing! Why! I will reach my home." + +"So you say," they answered. + +The bear-man wondered within himself at their unwillingness to have +him as a passenger. He and the old Brahman made a few remarks to each +other. Then they fell silent. + +They were near the end of their journey when the bear-man asked +suddenly: "Manjhi, have we not passed Serampore?" + +"Are you the guru of boatmen that you question me?" replied the +manjhi, and then, in a more conciliatory tone, added: "We are going +higher up for a crossing. The tide is strong." The explanation was +reasonable. But the bear-man's suspicions had been awakened and he +was on the alert. The Brahman sat placidly nursing his bag which the +bear-man too had noticed contained money. He had also noticed that +the manjhis kept glancing furtively at it and its owner. + +The river crossed, the boat hugged the bank; after a time it came +to a standstill. One of the manjhis jumped ashore with the rope +and secured it to a tree. The Brahman and the bear-man both asked: +"What is wrong? Why stop the boat in this strange place?" + +"You will soon know, you will soon see," answered the boatmen and +chuckled over some secret joke as, one after another, each stepped +ashore and disappeared. + +The aged Brahman gazed after them apprehensively. Then, placing his +money between his knees, as he sat on the deck with crossed legs tucked +under him, he folded his hands together and bent forward in prayer. + +The bear-man thought within himself: "Prayer for him, action for +me." And saying softly to the old man; "Brahman Thakoor, something +is brewing. I follow to see," he too stepped ashore. + +Not far from the tree he found a small thatched house and several +men gathered behind it. Moving warily forward among the group he +recognised the manjhis. "Dacoits!" he whispered to himself. Then an +inspiration struck him. + +He ran back to the boat, and asked the Brahman to change his seat +to the stern and be ready to steer off when he gave him a signal. He +took up a position in the prow and fondled his bear. + +Within a few minutes a party of men appeared coming towards the +dinghi. Some were boatmen; all were dacoits. + +The actor loosed the bear's chain, saying: "Go! go! hug the life out +of all of them!" + +The sagacious animal responded to his master's order with a fierce +charge right among the approaching band of robbers. With startled +cries they fled in all directions. Quite sure they were effectively +scattered, the bear-man called his animal back, secured its chain +once more, and pushed from the shore. + +With some difficulty he and the old Brahman navigated themselves back +to Calcutta and informed the police authorities there. The police +took possession of the dinghi which on inspection proved to be a +dacoit's nest well-equipped with instruments fitted for murder and +robbery. But none of this gang of river dacoits were captured. + +The lives of the Brahman and the showman were certainly saved by the +wonderful intelligence of the latter's bear. + + + +Raghu Dacoit + +Madhub Babu, a Calcutta gentleman, owned much property in that city +and was known far and wide on account of his great wealth. To do him +honour, the City Fathers had named a tank after him. + +At that time there flourished a notorious dacoit, Raghu, for whose +capture Government had offered a handsome reward. But like Robin Hood +of old, Raghu Dacoit had caught popular fancy by his generosity to +the poor. Though he looted the rich, to the needy, the famine-stricken +and widows he was always kind. No one would inform against him. + +Madhub Babu had a fine country house in Chandernagore, where he +frequently entertained his friends. On one of these occasions, the +latest doings of Raghu Dacoit were being discussed. The Babu remarked +confidently: "He dare not visit me. He knows my house is well guarded." + +One of the guests quickly rejoined: "Oh, don't say that. Raghu Dacoit +is a dangerous and clever man." + +A few days after, Madhub Babu received a letter from the famous +outlaw saying that he would be pleased to visit the rich man's +country house. Madhub Babu was amazed at the audacity of the fellow, +and wondered how his remark had reached the robber's ears. + +He immediately sent information to Calcutta and asked for a strong +body of police to be sent at his expense. They arrived, and his +country residence was extra well guarded for some time. But nothing +happened! Madhub Babu concluded that the letter had been a hoax. So +the police guard was withdrawn. + +Madhub Babu's Chandernagore house stood on the bank of the river. One +dark night a boat came quietly to the ghat. Its occupants silently +landed and proceeded stealthily to the house. Every door and window +was securely fastened, but what mattered that to Raghu and his +band? Tall trees graced the grounds everywhere and many grew near the +house. Climbing the nearest, some of the dacoits reached up a long +and stout bamboo from it to the flat roof. A slim youth crawled over +and fixed the other end securely. Then one by one some of the gang +slid across. The door of the staircase leading down into the house +stood open. Creeping like cats downstairs they gained the entrance +hall. Here they found all the durwans fast asleep. The light of their +lanterns showed the durwans' swords hanging on the wall. In a trice +the dacoits had them down, unsheathed, and, oh, bitter blow! despatched +Madhub Babu's men with their own weapons. + +Then noiselessly opening the door they admitted the remainder of the +band. For a few hours there was uproar, confusion and dismay while +the burglars invaded room after room and collected all Madhub Babu's +treasures with which they disappeared. + +While still smarting under the loss of his valuables, the Babu received +another letter from Raghu Dacoit asking, "Had his visit given Madhub +Babu pleasure?" + + + +Girl as Kali-Ma + +A large and well-to-do family lived happily in a country place +in Bengal. + +One day their peace was disturbed by an anonymous letter. The writer +warned them to expect a "dacoity" (burglary). These Indian outlaws +always make it a point of honour to inform their intended victims, +and always come with drums, torch-light and a sort of war-cry. + +There was much valuable jewellery in the house and the family, thinking +discretion the better part of valour, gathered all together, packed +it securely and, taking it with them, left their home about sunset +for safe quarters. + +Somehow one of the younger ladies with a tiny infant was left +behind. Unaware of the warning letter or desertion of the family, +she slept peacefully through the early hours of the night. But later, +she was awakened by the sound of drums and loud cries, which she +recognised as the signal of the dacoits. Rushing out of her chamber +she discovered that the burglars were already in the house and that +none of the family were to be found. From room to room she fled, +finding none to protect her, and realised that she was alone and +helpless. Even her husband was gone! + +She was a high-spirited and resourceful girl. She knew her life +and the baby's as well were in danger and she determined to outwit +the burglars. She had a swarthy complexion like Kali, the dacoits' +divinity. Often had her mother bemoaned its darkness! Now it should +serve her. But was she black enough? To make assurance doubly sure, +she caught up a bottle of ink, which she knew where to find, and +hastily smeared her face and limbs with it. Then, hiding her baby +in a safe corner, she uncoiled her heavy hair and let its luxuriant +black tresses fall about her like a cloak. Her preparations complete, +she placed herself in a large niche at the head of the stairs. + +The dacoits found nothing below worth attention and trooped +upstairs. The flickering glare of their torches fell upon a life-like +image of Kali the Terrible. With protruding scarlet tongue and fixed +staring eyes, the girl stood immovable and breathless, silently +invoking all her family gods to come to her aid in her bold design. + +With an awe-struck cry of "Mercy! mercy! Kali-Ma!", the thieves +fell prostrate at her feet. The girl held her breath. Was it +possible that her plan had succeeded? The slow seconds passed. The +Chief arose. "Come, brothers, we touch nothing where Mother Kali is +worshipped." With hasty and reverent steps they descended the stairs +and left the house. + +Long after the dacoits had gone the girl stood there. Then the strain +snapped and she relapsed to her normal self. Fear swept over her and +she rushed out of the house. But her trembling limbs could not carry +her far. She fell in a dead faint on the pathway. The neighbours, +who had heard the dacoits enter the house and seen them go away silent +and empty-handed, came to learn the mystery and found her there. + +When the family returned next morning, the neighbours abused them +soundly for leaving the girl and her babe behind. The girl herself +was so hurt by the neglect that she had scarcely strength enough +to relate the strange happenings of the night. Her husband found it +difficult to make his peace; he said that he believed her to be with +the ladies of the family. In zenana families even the most devoted +husband has little voice in his wife's movements, as all arrangements +are left in the hands of the mother-in-law. There were several ladies +and children in the family and the mother-in-law had thought the girl +was with some of them. Friendship was however finally restored. All +generously admired her ingenuity and realised her bravery. From the +white-haired old father to the smallest child, everyone was grateful +then and always after for her presence of mind on that memorable night. + + + +The Deputy Magistrate + +In the Dacca district, a few years ago, there was a big dacoity. A +Deputy Magistrate was ordered to secretly investigate the matter and, +if possible, to capture the miscreants. + +Besides his cook and personal attendants he took with him some +policemen. All were disguised. They travelled in several small boats. + +It was late in the evening as they neared the place, where the burglary +had occurred. He decided to proceed no further that night. The boats +put to; the men cooked their evening meal and all retired. + +About midnight, the Magistrate awoke with a start to hear many voices +calling him by name. He listened: "So you have come to arrest us, +to put us in jail, to hang us. Ah! you will soon see who will be +punished. We shall know how clever you are!" + +The night was pitch-dark. He noiselessly opened the small window +of the boat and saw a number of men, with flaming torches in their +hands and armed with heavy sticks, coming down the bank. There was no +time to call his men. He seized his loaded revolver. But what was one +against so many! He decided to bolt. The land way was barred by the +dacoits. What of the river? He was a good swimmer. But the water looked +black as ink and swarmed with crocodiles. Yet to stay in the boat meant +certain death. If he gained the opposite bank, he could make for his +father-in-law's house, which was near the river and where his wife was +then staying. He might escape the crocodiles. He determined to risk it. + +Like a flash all this passed through his mind. Opening the other +window he clambered out stealthily and slipped into the water. A +few powerful strokes carried him across. He stumbled up the bank and +raced through the thorny jungle to his father-in-law's house. + +The sleeping family were disturbed by his violent knocking. As soon +as he was admitted, he went to his wife's room. She was horrified to +hear of his danger. After a hasty bath and change she insisted that he +should eat something, and while he was refreshing himself, she informed +her father of his son-in-law's escape and predicament. To her surprise, +her father said: "I am sorry, but he must leave my house." + +"O! father, how can he?" she pleaded. + +"He must" repeated her father. + +The daughter fell at her parent's feet and implored him not to drive +her husband forth. But no words of hers could move him. "Why should +all suffer for one?" he argued. She returned sadly to her husband. + +Presently the cries of the dacoits showed that they had scented their +quarry. Soon they shouted at the door: "Open! or drive out the Deputy +Magistrate. We know he is here. Give him to us or what happens be on +your own head." + +The wife wept piteously. Her father remained obdurate, muttering, +"I knew this would happen." + +The unfortunate Magistrate could not understand his father-in-law's +behaviour. He sat with his head bowed in despair. Suddenly his wife +ran to him. + +"You must try to escape. I have an idea." She pulled out a saree and +some jewels, and began to dress him as a woman. + +"It's no use," he said hopelessly, "they will catch me." + +"Be brave," she said encouragingly, "for my sake see if you cannot +elude them." + +With tender hands she arranged the saree, draping it well over his head +to conceal his face. Then giving him a ghurra (water vessel) told him +to pretend that he was going to fetch water from the river. Cheered +by her courage, he caught her to his heart in a mute farewell, and +her prayers went with him. + +He had not gone far from the house when cries arose of "There he +is!" But some one shouted: "It is a woman. Look elsewhere." And he +passed slowly to the river. Here he flung the brass ghurra far out +into the stream and ran for his life along the bank. No sounds of +pursuit followed him, and he now gained courage enough to form a +plan of escape. Not far from his father-in-law's village was a small +police station. Thither he bent his steps and asked protection of +its solitary occupant. + +The man recognised him and asked: "Deputy Saheb, why are you here? What +is wrong?" + +The Magistrate told him of the dacoits and of his escape. "Dacoits +after you!" said the policeman and looked grave. "Sir, I cannot help +you. What is one policewallah against so many? If I shelter you we +shall both die. You better push on." + +For a time the Magistrate pleaded to deaf ears. But at length his +promises of promotion and reward moved the man. "Come" he said "I +will do my best," and, rising, led the way to his own house. Here +in the inner room was a high machan--a huge bamboo shelf made like +a raft and suspended from the roof and reached by a moveable ladder, +used for storing all sorts of things. + +On this machan were some old blankets. "Here, conceal yourself in +these" said the policeman. The Deputy Magistrate needed no second +bidding. He climbed up and rolled himself in one of the blankets and +heaped the others in front of him. The policeman carried the ladder +away, right out of the house. Then he shut the door and returned to +the office. + +After a time there came the noise of the dacoits. They soon entered +the police station and shouted: "Give up that Deputy Saheb. We know +he is here." + +"Deputy, what Deputy? I cannot understand. Where is he?" answered +the policeman. + +"Don't be shamming," returned the dacoits contemptuously, "thou +knowest well whom we mean. Produce him if you value your own life." + +In vain the policeman pleaded ignorance. His trembling limbs and +shaking voice belied his words. The dacoits bound him, searched +the police office, and then proceeded to hunt the house. "He is not +here. Let us not waste further time," said one. "Let's look well," +said another, "and search every place." Some climbed the machan and +discovered their victim. It did not take them long to drag him down, +and beat him mercilessly with their long sticks, till he became +unconscious. The policeman too was severely chastised. Him they +left lying there; but rolled the offending Magistrate in an old mat, +bound him tightly with a rope and carried him away to the river. + +As he was borne on their shoulders through the night air, he gradually +came to his senses but kept silent and listened to his captors. By +this time it was dawn, and they were at the river. The majority were +for re-crossing and burning him, dead or alive. One dissentient voice +struck him with surprise. It was his father-in-law's! Clearly he +was one of the gang! But scruples had overtaken him and he pleaded +that he might not be a witness of the projected murder of his +son-in-law. "Spare me! spare me!" he cried. + +Some jeered: "Ho! Ho! you still have a soft corner in your heart for +your son-in-law." At last they agreed that he might absent himself +and he apparently turned back. + +The others now put their burden into a boat and crossed the river. They +were laughing at the father-in-law's weakness, and as they approached +the ghat failed to observe a Government budgerow anchored there. It +was the Divisional Commissioner's. He was out on tour. The paharawalla +on deck checked them: "Do not make such a noise. The Saheb sleeps." + +They answered rudely and the watchman retorted angrily. The dacoits +loudly abused the man. + +The noise woke up the Commissioner, and he got out on deck with a +loaded revolver in his hand. The dacoits jumped from their dinghy and +ran up the bank. It was evident who they were and the Commissioner +fired, aiming at their legs. One man fell with a scream of pain but +scrambled to his feet and ran on. + +Nothing was to be gained by chasing them through the still dark +jungle. The Commissioner turned his attention to the boat. "Search +it" he ordered his watchmen. His quick eyes detected legs protruding +from a mat, and he was not surprised when his chaprassi called: +"Saheb, a dead man lies in it." + +The Deputy murmured feebly: "I am not dead. I live." The chaprassi +amended the first statement: "Saheb, he speaks." The Commissioner +jumped into the dinghi, cut the ropes that bound the unfortunate man, +and discovered the Deputy Magistrate. It did not take him long to +recover and pour his tale of woe into his Chief's ears. + +By sunrise they were all after the dacoits. Blood-drops marked the +way and, near by, they found the wounded man who, only able to hobble, +had hidden himself in a thicket. The Deputy Magistrate's father-in-law +was arrested. He was one of the leaders of the band. It did not take +long to capture the others. And after this, for a time, this part of +the Dacca district enjoyed peace from dacoits. + + + +All for Nothing + +A young and very high-caste Bengali lady was married to the son of a +rich man who lived near Hooghly, a small town within a short distance +of Calcutta. + +Some years passed, but there was no sign of a son and heir. The +parents-in-law were fond of the girl. She had won her way into their +hearts and they sympathised with her. Yet they longed to see the old +name being carried down the years, and whisperings grew into talk +of a second marriage for their son. The girl's parents were anxious +and distressed. + +Then a kindly Providence intervened, and after months of expectation +a little son lay in her arms, and both families rejoiced with the +girl and shared her pride in the boy baby. + +When the child was about a year old, the young mother's brother became +engaged to be married. The date was fixed and invitations sent to +the girl and to the family of her parents-in-law. It was arranged +that she and her baby should attend the wedding. + +Not far off, also in Hooghly, lived a widowed sister (of the girl) +in her father-in-law's house. She too was going to the wedding, +and it was settled that both sisters should travel in the same +boat to Calcutta. No male member of either family could accompany +them. Therefore, their father sent an old servant from Calcutta to +fetch them. This man was trusted and treated like a member of the +family, with whom he had been for years. + +The girl put together her clothes. Her good mother-in-law unlocked the +great safe and took out the girl's best jewels. An Indian wedding +is the occasion for a great display of clothes and jewellery, +and a well-dressed and richly-adorned bow raises the credit of the +mother-in-law, especially if the wedding is in the girl's own family; +so a careful selection was made. Baby was not forgotten either. Tiny +gold bangles and chains had been showered upon him at his birth, +and this was his first public appearance. + +They started early, so as to arrive during the afternoon. There was +to be a ceremony the next day and many guests had arrived at the +bride-groom's house, and all watched eagerly for the two sisters. But +the hours waned and still they tarried. Late in the evening, the old +servant arrived, agitated and all mud-bespattered. + +Family, guests and servants plied him with questions concerning +the sisters. Not a word would he reply. Suspicions soon voiced +themselves. Dacoits were about. Everyone knew of the wedding and the +consequent family gathering. Everyone knew too that the daughter was +the cherished bow of a rich family. + +Urged by these arguments and his own anxiety, the father threatened +to skin the man alive unless he spoke. Intimidated by his master's +anger, the servant stated that the boat had capsized and the sisters +and baby were drowned. + +The house of mirth and laughter was changed to one of weeping. But +the father did not accept the information in its entirety. He called +in the police and a vigorous search was made. All the boatmen were +found. They stated they had swum ashore but could or would give no +word of the ladies. + +The only possible clue was given by an Englishman living in a mill +on the river bank at Chinsurah. About midnight, on the date of +the disappearance of the ladies, he heard the cries of women and +a child. At first he had thought of going to see what was up. But +the sounds were coming from a thick jungle, and he argued it was +impossible any one could be there in trouble, and finally thought no +more of the seeming cries. + +This ill-omened happening broke up the wedding party. The marriage +was cancelled. All the preparations had been for nothing. To this day +the fate of the sisters is unknown. The bride and bridegroom-elect +were married to other parties. + + + +A Punjabee Dacoit + +In a railway train several Punjabee ladies sat on the lower berths +of a second class compartment, laughing and talking gaily. They +were, with one exception, all richly dressed and each of them wore a +quantity of jewels. The exception was a capable, good-looking woman, +of about twenty-five. Her short hair, neck and arms bare of jewellery, +and plain white saree, proclaimed her a widow. But like the others +she chatted merrily, and a listener would have learned from their +conversation that they had been attending a wedding, and were now +on their way home. Witty remarks about the guests, criticism of the +looks of the bride, and comparisons of this wedding with others, +passed from one to another, and whiled away the hours of the journey +as the train sped onwards. + +Night fell, and the ladies became silent. They rested against each +other and dozed at intervals. The widow sat on a trunk at the end of +the carriage and silently told her beads. The train slowed down and +stopped at a little station. Then the bell clanged and once again +they were on their way. The little station had not been left far +behind when a dark figure appeared on the foot-board of the ladies' +carriage, and a man's head was thrust in at one of the windows. A +startled exclamation from one of the party drew the attention of all +to the intruder, who was pulling himself up into the carriage. He +was very fierce-looking, wore a huge turban, and had a bushy black +beard. In one hand he held a knife and with the other he assisted +himself into the compartment, in spite of the ladies' protestations. + +Some of them began to cry but one or two bolder spirits ventured to +argue with him. In answer to their questions and objections, he said +roughly: "It is a long while before you will reach another station. I +have come for your jewels. If you give them to me quietly, I will +not hurt any of you; but if not--" and he looked very expressively +at the knife in his hand. + +After some few minutes, the ladies, who were inclined to oppose him, +yielded to the tearful advice of their more timid sisters, and one by +one they began to unclasp necklaces and belts and hand them over to +the dacoit together with bracelets, bangles and rings. The ruffian, +finding them docile, did not hustle them in any way but stood leisurely +receiving the spoil. Then he carefully folded all in a rich saree +and was knotting the ends together when the train suddenly stopped, +and an Englishman pushed open the door of the ladies' compartment +and sprang at him with the exclamation, "You scoundrel!" + +The sudden surprise and assault threw the robber off his feet, and +he fell sprawling on the carriage floor, with the Englishman on top +of him. In the meantime, the guard and others arrived and the thief +was secured and his hands and feet were bound together with his own +pugree, and he was removed to the guard's van. + +The widow was the heroine of the adventure. As soon as she saw the +man entering the carriage, she realised his purpose. Slipping into +the lavatory she climbed through the window there on to the footboard, +and pulled herself along by the carriage rods to the next compartment +where the solitary occupant, an Englishman, sat reading. + +He was amazed to see a woman clinging to the window of his carriage, +but fortunately he understood the language; and when she said "Help, +thief in the next carriage", he opened the door and got her into his +carriage without any delay. In a few words, she acquainted him with +what was happening in the next compartment. He immediately pulled +the alarm cord to stop the train, and hurried along the footboard to +the assistance of the ladies. They were profuse in their expressions +of gratitude to him, but he insisted that they owed their lives and +their jewels to their courageous friend. + + + +A Child's Experience + +Some years ago in a country place, not far from Calcutta, there lived +a well-to-do Bengalee gentleman. He was an old man; and his large +family consisting of sons, grandsons, and his brothers with their +wives and children, and many dependent relatives--all lived happily +together in their ancestral home. + +It was an old-fashioned house with verandahs, courtyards and many +rooms. In a large dalan or verandah all the family poojas were +celebrated. Here the daughters of the house were married, and for +generations the old walls had looked on at family gatherings and +festivities. + +There were extensive grounds round the house. Quite close to the zenana +there was a large kitchen garden which supplied all the vegetables +consumed daily in the house; and so plentiful was the produce that +large trays filled with vegetables were sent out every day as presents +to friends, relatives and to the neighbouring temples. + +A little further away was an orchard, and in spring the numerous +mango trees delighted all eyes with their blossoms. And there were +jack fruit trees, peaches, plums and guava trees in numbers, besides +long lines of plantains and palms of several kinds. + +In the garden, orchard and stables there were tanks and wells so +that the supply of water was sufficient for the needs of such a large +establishment. In front of the mansion there was a large ornamental +tank or lake with white marble steps leading to its waters. Here every +evening the men and boys of the family gathered to recreate and enjoy +the cooling south breeze, and they were often joined by neighbours, +and many a pleasant hour was spent on those marble steps. + +An avenue of trees and a high hedge rendered the house quite private, +and the roof was a lovely recreation place and promenade for the +ladles and girls of the family, who were all purdah. + +The old man's wealth was much discussed and the expensive clothes +and rich jewels of the ladies were often spoken of. One day the +old gentleman received a warning letter from a band of dacoits that +the house would be visited by them that night. After some hurried +consultation, the family packed up all their jewels and valuables +and sought shelter in flight. It was decided to spend the night at +a place a few miles distant. + +In the excitement a young mother was separated from her little boy, +a child of about three or four years of age. She concluded that he +was with some other member of the family in another carriage and did +not trouble herself about it. But on their arrival at their place of +refuge he was not found with any of the others. + +The mother's distress of mind was pitiful. She wished to return +for her child; but it was growing dark and there was the danger of +meeting the dacoits. So her wish was overruled, and through the long +night she suffered terrible anxiety, picturing in her mind all that +was perhaps befalling her little son. + +In the meantime the child was sleeping sweetly and peacefully in his +bed in his mother's room. Tired out with play, he had slipped into +bed unknown to any one and there he lay. + +About twelve at night the dacoits arrived and broke into the +house. They searched the empty rooms and were furious at finding no +valuables worth carrying away. They came to the room where the little +boy slept, and their loud voices awakened him. He sat up and, seeing +their strange faces and glaring torches, screamed with fright. One +of them threatened to kill him if he did not stop his noise. Another +stepped to the bedside and taking the little boy in his arms said: +"Little one, do not cry. No one will hurt you." + +The child recognised his father's servant and twined his little arms +around the man's neck. The other dacoits laughed and walked out of +the room leaving their comrade with the child. + +When daylight broke, the family returned home, and the poor young +mother flew through the house in search of her child. To her surprise +and joy she found him sleeping peacefully in her own room. Her +hysterical caresses awakened him and the little fellow could not +understand what ailed his mother. + +"Did nothing happen during the night?" she asked. "Did you see anything +or anyone, my son?" + +Rubbing his chubby knuckles in his eyes the sleepy little boy answered: +"Oh, yes, where were you, mother? A lot of men came. Some wanted to +hit me, but--(naming the servant) was with them, and he sent them +away. Then he gave me sweets and put me to sleep." + +The servant was arrested, and he confessed that he was one of the +band of dacoits who had sent the warning letter and had broken into +the house. Nearly the whole band was captured. + + + +Two Chinese Dacoits + +In a large house in Calcutta there lived an Englishman, his wife and +her sister. Mrs. C. was of a highly-strung and nervous disposition, +and as her husband's business frequently occasioned his absence from +home, they had persuaded her sister Ethel to come out to India on a +long visit. + +Ethel was a bright, lively girl, very practical and quite the opposite +of her sister, whom she often rallied for her timidity. Once when +Alice was more trying than usual, Ethel exclaimed: "Perhaps if I were +a little like you, Alice, delicate, nervous and silly, I might get +a husband who would fuss over me like Charlie does over you." + +Alice laughed at her sister's earnestness and said: "If you were not +healthy and strong-minded you would understand me better, Ethel." + +Not long afterwards the two ladies were left alone for some days as +Mr. C. was obliged to go upcountry on business. While he was away, +Ethel slept with her sister. It was the cold weather when night closes +in early and the evenings are long. Mrs. C. liked an early dinner, +soon after which she always retired. Ethel liked to spend the long +quiet evenings, reading or writing, and often sat up till midnight. + +One afternoon, while they were at lunch, a telegram was brought in, +and on opening it, Alice exclaimed delightedly "Charlie will be back +in time for dinner." + +The evening passed away till dinner time but Mr. C. did not arrive +and the ladies waited till nine o'clock. Then they dined, and when +the clock struck ten and still there was no arrival, Alice said she +would go to bed, as Charlie must have missed his train and the next +was not due till near midnight. + +Ethel looked up from her book and said: "Well, I am sleeping in my +own room." + +"O! you know I hate to be alone," exclaimed Alice; "you might come +and sleep in mine until Charlie comes in." + +"Alice, you are selfish," retorted Ethel. "I shall barely be in bed +before he walks in. The only thing for me is to go to bed in your +room in my evening dress." + +"How silly you are," said Alice peevishly; "why cannot you undress as +usual? Charlie may not come at all to-night and I dread being alone." + +"Oh, very well," said Ethel, "I will come and read in your room till +Charlie does come. I shall never marry a man who is always away on +business," With these words she forsook her easy chair and accompanied +her sister into the large bed-room. She threw herself on the side of +the bed and went on with her book. + +Alice undressed, got into bed and was soon asleep. Ethel finished +her book and then lay waiting for her brother-in-law. The lights in +the hall and on the landing were not extinguished, but the house was +still and quiet. It was near twelve and Alice was just wondering if +Mr. C. would really arrive or if it would not be better for her to +undress and get into bed comfortably when she heard gentle footsteps +on the stairs. + +"There's Charlie," she said to herself, "and how softly he is coming +upstairs! he is a considerate husband." + +She looked at her sister, saw that she was sleeping very soundly. "I +will pretend to be asleep too," said Ethel to herself and she drew +up the bed-clothes to hide her evening dress and put a pillow over +her head. + +To her disappointment, Charlie delayed his coming and she was wondering +if he was dining when the door slowly opened, but instead of Mr. C. two +Chinamen entered the room. Ethel stared at them from under her pillow +with amazement. At first they stood motionless beside the door. Then, +closing it noiselessly, they advanced into the room. Their quaint +clothes, long pigtails and red eyes together with their stealthy +movements and the hour of midnight, created an uncanny atmosphere in +the room, and for the first time in her life Ethel began to understand +what nerves mean. Never in her life had her pulses jumped and throbbed +as they were doing now. She controlled her inclination to scream and +from under her pillow watched the men. + +They examined the room and one of them approached the toilette table +and began to transfer the jewels and silver ornaments which lay upon it +to a capacious bag. The other took a big cigar out of his pocket and +lit it. Then he stepped to Mrs. C.'s side and began to puff the smoke +into her face. She was sleeping upon her back and though she at first +stirred uneasily she soon seemed to sink into a deeper sleep. After +a few minutes by her side, the Chinaman moved round to Ethel's side +of the bed; but seeing that her head was covered by a pillow and that +she was apparently fast asleep, he turned to help his comrade. + +At this moment Mr. C.'s voice sounded in the hall and he came +running upstairs, whistling gaily. The robbers exchanged alarmed +looks and hastily hid themselves and their bag of booty behind a large +almirah. Charlie opened the door and came into the room, saying "Alice, +where are you?" Approaching the bed he said "What, asleep!" and bent +over his wife. But she was in a deep slumber and oblivious of her +husband's presence. He noticed Ethel's form on the opposite side of +the bed and, walking gently round, touched her arm and whispered: +"Are you asleep too?" + +She lifted the pillow, stretched her arms, and then sat up on the +bed. He noticed her evening dress and was explaining his late arrival +when she jumped up crossly from the bed and saying, "Look at your wife, +is she not looking ghastly?" went out of the room. Charlie returned to +his wife's side and looked closely at her. Her face seemed strangely +pallid and her hands were cold. He endeavoured to wake her and was +still trying to rouse her when Ethel returned to the room followed +by several of the servants, who looked excited. + +In answer to his question, "What is wrong with Alice?" Ethel said +"There are two thieves hidden behind the almirah. Let the servants help +you to secure them and then you will know what is wrong with Alice." + +The two Chinamen were soon routed out from behind the almirah, +captured and handed over to the police. A doctor was summoned and +Alice was brought out of the stupor, she had been thrown into by the +fumes of opium smoke. + + + +An Unfaithful Servant. + +A rich zemindar named Bose lived in Lucknow, He had emigrated there +from Bengal, acquired land there, and studied the language until +he could speak Urdu like a Hindustanee. He became so much a native +of Lucknow that, when business took him down to Calcutta, he felt +himself a foreigner and stranger in Bengal. + +His wife was an invalid and, as the years told on her, he +had frequently to take her to Calcutta for medical advice and +treatment. Their only child was a daughter who was the darling of their +household. The second favourite in the family was a boy called Ram, +who though really a servant was treated like a son of the house and +both Mr. and Mrs. Bose were very fond of him. + +When quite a small boy, Ram had been taken into service in the Bose +menage; and as his parents were both dead and he was remarkably quick +and intelligent, the zemindar took a fatherly interest in the lad and +had him taught to read and write. The teacher thought so highly of +Ram's intellect that he was taught one subject after another by his +indulgent master, and when he grew older, was especially educated +and trained for estate work. When his education was finished he +was appointed to be confidential clerk and cashier, and gradually +grew to know as much of Bose's money affairs as the zemindar did +himself. Whenever the rich man went on his estate, Ram went with +him. At times of collection, Ram had the office of counting the silver +and locking it up in the cash box. Frequently thousands of rupees +passed through his hands in this way, and he alone always knew what +amount of money the cash box contained. + +One year, Bose and the faithful Ram had been round the zemindari, +collecting rents; and, as many who had been in arrears paid up, they +returned with a larger sum of money than usual. This was locked up +in the cash box and Bose told his wife in Ram's hearing that next +day he should deposit it in the bank. The cash box was always kept +at night on a table by the zemindar's bed-side. + +The Boses had a large house in Lucknow and it was nearly always full, +as Mrs. Bose was fond of company and they invariably had a number +of relatives and friends staying with them. Mr. and Mrs. Bose slept +upstairs in a large south room, which opened into another large room +alongside of it. The only furniture in their room was their two beds +and a table which stood between the beds to hold the cash box and +a lantern. + +The night of the zemindar's return, his wife could not sleep. She +had been ill and she counted the hours as the night wore on. The +light of the lantern showed her husband's sleeping form, the naked +sword which always hung at his bedpost, and the bare white-washed +walls of the room. As she lay awake, Mrs. Bose thought she heard a +noise at the door leading into the other room. The noise came again +and she listened intently. Some one opened the door and then shut +it. Mrs. Bose kept still, listened and watched. Some one again opened +and shut the door gently, then again and again. It struck Mrs. Bose +that this was being done to ascertain whether the inmates of the room +were asleep or awake. She continued to keep perfectly still. + +Now the door was pushed wide open and Ram entered, and closed the door +softly behind him. When Mrs. Bose saw him enter, her first thought +was that he was the bearer of some bad news, and she very nearly +asked him what was the matter. But his stealthy movements made her +feign sleep and see what he was about; and as he approached her bed +on tiptoe, she closed her eyes and lay as if peacefully sleeping. He +stood beside the bed apparently watching her. Mrs. Bose's nerves were +tingling with fear, and it took all her powers of self-control to keep +her eyes closed and her breath steady. Just as the effort seemed more +than she could keep up, Ram moved away from her bed. + +Through her eye-lashes she watched him creep noiselessly to the table +and examine the cash box. Then he returned to the side of her bed +and coughed. Mrs. Bose again succeeded in keeping perfectly still +and he moved round to his master's bedside. Here he stood motionless +for some seconds and then unfastened the sword. The zemindar was +sleeping heavily and as he detached the sword Ram smiled to himself +as if everything was very satisfactory. He grasped the sword in his +right hand and made a trial stroke. Then, smiling again, he lifted +the curtain of the zemindar's bed with his left hand. + +Mrs. Bose felt sure that his motive was murder as well as robbery, and +she now shrieked loudly for aid. At the first sound of her voice Ram +dropped the sword and fled from the room. His wife's piercing screams +of "Murder! Help!" woke the zemindar, but by the time he understood +what had taken place Ram had let himself out of the house and was gone. + +When morning came the police were informed and the zemindar offered a +handsome reward for the arrest of Ram; but though the police hunted +in Lucknow and elsewhere and also searched the village where Ram's +relatives lived, no one knew anything of him and he was never again +heard of in Lucknow. + +Some years after, the old zemindar died and one of the last remarks he +made was: "I should like to know what has happened to poor Ram." He +had never forgotten his affection for his old protege, and had quite +forgiven him for his ungratefulness. + + + +PART II + +Tiger Stories + + +The Bearer's Fate + +Mr. Gupta, a Bengali gentleman, was a skilled engineer. The Government +thought highly of him and whenever any work of special difficulty +had to be undertaken, always chose him. + +At one time he was stationed at Hazaribagh. This district is even +now infested with tigers, and in those far-off days these lords of +the jungle roamed far and wide. + +There was then no railway. Travelling was done by palki or by +"push-push"---a box-like carriage on four wheels, in which the +traveller was forced to recline, and which relays of coolies pushed +before them. The roads were often mere tracks through dense forest. + +It happened that Mr. Gupta was ordered to report on some important work +a few miles away. His devoted wife carefully packed his luggage. They +were a happy couple and each short parting was a pain in their lives. A +trustworthy old servant always accompanied his master to camp. But +to-day to his mistress' surprise he begged not to go. + +When Gupta came in, his wife told him of the man's unwillingness to +accompany him. + +"Nonsense!" said Gupta, "he will have to go. What has happened to him?" + +"I think he is ill" the wife excusingly replied, her tender heart +full of the man's wistful face and strange manner. Still she agreed +with her husband and told the bearer, he must go with his master. + +"Forgive me, I have high fever, Ma-ji," he shivered, addressing her +by the honoured name of mother, as is the custom of Indian servants +in an Indian household. + +She turned again to her husband who said: "I know what is in the +poor old fellow's mind. He has an idea he will be killed by a +tiger. However, tell him there is no danger. I am taking a large +number of bearers and he can keep near the palki." + +Mrs. Gupta tried to cheer the servant with this information but he +wailed: "Ma-ji, I am afraid. Surely a tiger will kill me to-night." + +"Do not fear," consoled the kind lady. "Your master will take good +care of you." "Go you must," she continued in a firm tone. "There is +no one except you who knows his ways and can see to his comfort. Now +get ready quickly." + +"Oh, Ma-ji," he sobbed like a child, "I obey, but my heart is heavy." + +Mr. Gupta had to travel through the night. After an early dinner he +started, attended by many palki-bearers and the old servant. The moon +rose bright and glorious and bathed the picturesque country in soft +radiance. The silence of the forest was broken only by the rhythmic +cries of the bearers and the pat-pat of their feet. The first stream +was reached and the bearers asked for a halt. Consent granted, they +went into the stream to drink of the deeper water. The old servant +crouched by the palki. + +"Thirstest not?" kindly asked his master. + +"Babu-ji, I feel nervous. I will stay near you." + +Gupta wondered what might have unstrung the man, and felt sorry for +him. "Come and sit close to me," he said. + +The night was cold and the old bearer, huddled in his blanket, sat +on the edge of the palki door. + +Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a rapid crash +through the dry grass near the palki, and with a thrilling roar a +tiger leapt at the man and dragged him away. The palki shook, and +the bearer's piteous cry "Babu-ji, Babu-ji, I told you" filled the +forest, and echoed and echoed again as the tiger bore him away. Then +all became still. + +Gupta realised what had happened. He lay back sick with horror, and +felt as if he were the guilty one. For many a day the old man's dying +wail rang in his ears. + + + +Through the Roof + +They were laying the railway through the Hazaribagh district, and +in a low-roofed bungalow at Giridih lived the Engineer in charge of +the work. He was a young Englishman and his only recreation in this +dreary place was riding and shooting. + +The coolies lived in frail little mat houses in the same enclosure +as his bungalow. One morning they came to him in a body to tell him +that during the night a tiger had carried off one of their cows. The +next morning another cow was missing, and on the third his servants +awakened him with the news that his Arab pony was gone. + +He loved the little animal. Many a mile had he scoured on its +back. "Stripes" must be punished for this. He would sit up the coming +night and watch. + +Babus, servants and coolies loudly approved. What was life worth with +such nightly happenings? and the lord of the jungle would surely come +again. Had he not discovered a well-filled larder? + +Work over, the young man loaded his gun, and after dinner took up +his position and awaited the enemy. A reliable servant sat up with him. + +The bungalow was raised on piles a few feet from the ground. It had +brick walls but a thatched roof which sloped very low down on all +sides. The wooden windows were closed. Our friend sat at one of them +with the Venetians slightly stretched. The bungalow was dark and still. + +At last a strange odour filled the air and then the heavy breathing of +the tiger was audible. It came and stood just outside the window. The +young fellow noiselessly pointed his gun through the Venetians and +fired. An angry growl told that the tiger was wounded. Then it charged +forward with a furious roar. The Englishman fired again and this +time thought he had finished it. But the animal charged again with +increased rage. After several attempts at the window it leapt for +the roof and succeeded in clutching the eaves and scrambled up. The +terrified servant cried: "Saheb, come into another room". + +"Don't be a fool!" shouted his master, "the tiger can't come through +the roof." + +In their huts the poor coolies heard the shots and the terrible roars +and growls and dared not come to their master's assistance. The tiger +tore and scratched the thatch with all his might and soon made a +hole. "Look! Saheb!" screamed the servant, "he comes through". + +"I have a loaded gun in my hand", the Saheb replied. + +The hole speedily grew larger as the great cat clawed and growled. The +servant could stand it no longer. He bolted into the next room, +shutting the door between. There he shivered and shook till morning, +when he fled to the railway station a couple of miles away and told the +Sahibs there his tale. They got guns and horses and rode over. They +peered through the shutters and saw the tiger in the room. It +soon scented them and charged with a mighty roar. They retreated +without dignity to a safe distance where all stopped. One said, +"I say! we must see what has happened to the poor chap". Another: +"So many of us and loaded guns! We must do something". A third: +"let's get back and kill the beast". + +They went back and fired shot after shot through the shutters +till the animal was killed. Then they broke into the room and found +their luckless comrade dead on the floor, his loaded gun still in his +hand. The tiger must have killed him with a slap of its mighty paw, and +sat on his body all night, but clearly the animal was not a man-eater. + + + +Earning the Reward + +A man-eating tiger was roaming through Hazaribagh station. It had +killed many villagers and had become so daring that it entered the +market-place in broad day-light. + +A poor old tailor on his way home one evening was seized by the +blood-thirsty animal, and his screams for help filled the little +town. The morning light showed traces of the struggle between man +and beast, and where the latter had been dragged from the main road. + +The villagers did puja that night that all might be saved from a like +fate. A few days after, a ploughman and a little boy stood talking +about the tiger. "How do you know that he won't catch you?" asked +the boy. + +The ploughman answered confidently: "I have done puja". Barely had +the words passed his lips than the tiger leapt upon him. The boy was +startled, but not realising his own danger not only did he not run +but also caught up a stick and tried to save his friend. In spite +of his hitting it the animal began to devour the unfortunate man, +snarling threateningly the while. Then the boy threw away the stick +and fled to the village. The news roused the villagers and they +determined to try to rid themselves of their foe. Armed with spears, +sticks and heavy bamboos they followed the boy to the scene of the +tragedy. But the tiger was gone. + +The Government had offered a handsome reward to any one who would +succeed in killing this tiger and now a poor shop-keeper determined +to win it. He knew nothing of shooting but worked up the ambition +of a friend who could shoot and had a couple of guns. Together they +essayed the difficult job. Difficult it was. The tiger seldom returned +to his kill, nor stopped at a kill any length of time, and was known +to have killed three or four victims in one day. + +However they hoped for success. The villagers had been very careful +of late and the tiger had consequently been obliged to go hungry. It +was just possible he might return to the kill. So they got permission +for a mangled body to be left there, and built a machan near it. At +sunset they took up their places and watched. + +At first the pair felt cheerful. A brilliant moon illuminated +the whole country making everything as clear as day. But no tiger +came. And later, as the hours dragged on, their cramped position, +the nearness of a dead body, the silence and mystery of the night, +all got on their nerves, and they wished they had not attempted such +a task. But to leave now would be dangerous. So they did their best +to encourage each other and waited on. + +In the small hours of the night they distinctly heard the tiger coming +and saw a huge black shadow moving stealthily towards their tree. The +animal looked enormous in the uncertain light and each thought the +machan too low and wished himself in his house in the village. Neither +dared to speak or move. + +Not far from the machan was a hillock. The tiger, after stalking +round the tree, went to the corpse, smelled it, and then crossing to +the hillock climbed up and sat himself there. The men felt sure he +could now see them. + +The tiger began to sniff as if he scented them. Then it yawned +and snarled. The men sat fascinated. Presently the great head +turned towards them. The shopman pulled the trigger of the gun he +held. There was a deafening roar and the tiger disappeared from the +hillock. Then all became still. They knew by the roar of pain that he +was hit. Tigers are clever and often feign death when wounded. They +dared not descend. They were not sure that he was killed. At any +moment he might attack their tree. Comrades in enterprise and fear, +they sat gripping each other in the darkness, for the moon had now set. + +The villagers had heard the shot and at day-break came to the +spot. They found the tiger lying dead at the foot of the hillock. The +heroes could barely descend from the machan, so stiff and aching were +their bones. Together they received the plaudits of the village and +shared the Government reward which to them was quite a small fortune. + + + +A Burmese Monster + +Some years ago Government sent an engineer and party to explore and +prospect in the forests of Burma. None returned. Their disappearance +was a mystery. + +The authorities decided to send another party to ascertain the fate +of the first and continue the work. To induce volunteers, a handsome +salary was offered; and at length an Englishman came forward. He +asked for twice the number of native attendants that the first man +had had. Government granted him his request and provided him with +every facility procurable and he started. + +He followed the course taken by his predecessor up a large river. He +travelled in a big boat and his men in smaller ones. Here and there +they came upon traces of the former party. They pushed on. Suddenly +all indications of the missing ones ceased. He felt he had better stop +and investigate. Tents were landed and pitched and the men began to +prepare their evening meal. + +As he sat in his tent reading, he heard loud shouts and some of +his coolies rushed to him. They said that as they were cooking they +saw a great black thing hanging from a tree above them. When they +made a noise it disappeared. It was long and thick and black. The +coolies were frightened out of their wits and refused to remain in +that place. Argument was of no use; so the tents were taken down and +the party moved on. + +Another spot was selected and here they stayed peacefully for some +days. Suddenly a man was missing. Then another and another! Each +disappeared when alone. The coolies were frightened and uneasy. But +this time the Sahib managed to control them. He himself was anxious +and puzzled. + +Next a coolie who had gone to the river to scour vessels after a meal +disappeared. The plates and lotas were scattered about just as if +he had been suddenly seized. The Englishman thought that a crocodile +must have taken him off. + +Soon after this incident the engineer was fishing in the river opposite +to the camp, and he noticed two coolies coming to the river. They +sat down at the ghat and began to scour their vessels. The murmur of +their voices reached him. + +Presently the boatman clutched his arm and pointed to the bank. He +looked. One of the coolies was chasing a huge hairy monster. The +other could not be seen. + +The engineer soon crossed the river and joined the coolie, still in the +chase after the strange creature. As usual, the Saheb carried a loaded +revolver and as he ran he fired several shots at the animal. They +had no effect on it. The beast ran on with heavy lumbering strides, +covering the ground with great rapidity and only once glancing back +over its shoulders with a horrible grin. He could not overtake it and +it disappeared into the thick jungle. Its hair was so long that it +completely covered the man it carried in its powerful arms. It was +some kind of an orang-outang. + +The mystery was now cleared up. The engineer returned. His task +was accomplished. Later he wrote an account of this adventure and +concluded with these words:--"Now when I see a great hairy spider I +tremble! and the remembrance of that monstrous black form returns to +me, and the hideous grin that thrilled me. Never can I forget it." + + + +The Palki and the Tiger + +In a lonely village in the Hazaribagh district the peaceful dwellers +were one evening disturbed by shrill cries of distress. When they +gathered round the house from whence the cries came, they discovered +that a ghastly murder had been committed. The headman of the village +immediately despatched two messengers for the police. These men +started in the dawn and reached the Police outpost just before sunset. + +The Inspector-in-charge was a Bengalee, named Bose, who was a very +intelligent officer and keen on his work. As soon as he received +information of the murder, he ordered one of his staff to arrange for +a push-push (carriage which is partly drawn and partly pushed by men) +and a set of bearers. He quickly put together a few requisites for +the journey, and was soon ready. The night was not far advanced when +the orderly returned with a push-push and eight bearers, and Bose +started off, attended by his cook and body-servant. + +The road lay through a forest. At times the path was so narrow and +rocky that the men could make little progress, and at last they +declared that the road was impassable for a wheeled conveyance, and +that it was necessary for the Inspector to change into a palki. One +of them said that about two miles off the road there was a village, +and that in the village there lived a rich Hindustani merchant who +might lend a palki. Bose was pleased at the suggestion and told the +push-push bearers to take him to the village. They needed no second +bidding, and the Inspector was soon being trundled across the paddy +fields that lay between the village and the road. Arrived there, +he hastened to the merchant's house and asked to see him. + +A handsome up-countryman came out and when, he saw that his visitor +was a gentleman he courteously asked him to enter and be seated. The +Inspector soon explained his necessity for a palki, and the rich man +placed his at the disposal of the police officer. "But Jenab (Sir)," +he said, "tigers are bad in this forest and you have to pass through a +part known to be a favourite haunt of theirs. Have you any fire-arms?" + +"Only my revolver," said Bose "but I must push on and take my +chance." And as the palki now stood ready and the bearers declared +themselves refreshed, he thanked his host for his ready assistance, +bade him farewell and started once again. + +The bearers were full of spirits after their rest at the merchant's +house and for a mile or two travelled at a rapid pace; but the narrow +winding road impeded their progress, and as the night advanced the +eerie sounds of the forest must have got on their nerves. At the +commencement of the journey they had beguiled the march with stories +of tigers and bears met in the forest, but after some hours of travel +they became silent; and beyond the usual directions of the forward +men concerning the road and occasionally a shrill cry to scare away +wild animals, they made no remarks to each other. + +Within the palki, Bose lay fitfully dozing. The night was oppressive +and his thoughts were on the murder and his chances of a successful +capture of the wrong-doer. The road had become wider and level and +the men were going along at a good pace, when suddenly they dropped +the palki to the ground and fled in all directions. Bose shouted: +"What is up? Why have you run away?" No answer greeted his ears but +a strange odour penetrated his nostrils and he knew there was a tiger +in the jungle. He quickly pulled the doors of the palki jamming them +as securely as he could with the ends of his razai (quilt). Then he +tore the strong border off his dhoti (loin cloth) and commenced to +bind the handles of the doors together. He had just finished firmly +lashing together the handles on one side when he heard an ominous +growling. With frantic haste he bound the handles of the opposite doors +together, praying fervently that he might escape the jaws of the tiger. + +The animal continued growling. Evidently the dark bulk of the palki +frightened him. Bose sat inside, huddled in a heap and breathless. The +tiger, re-assured by the stillness of the object before him, ceased +growling; and presently, the soft thud of his feet and his sniffing +round the palki told the trembling man within that 'Stripes' was +making an investigation. + +Now a mighty roar shook the jungles and Bose realised that the tiger +had leapt upon the roof of the palki and was scratching furiously at +it. Bose clutched the handles of the doors and held on to them with the +grip of despair. The tiger scratched and growled and finally bounded +off the top and began a vigorous assault upon the side. The palki +toppled over on to its other side. Poor Bose congratulated himself +that now one of the doors rested upon Mother Earth and he could give +his whole energy to defending the other. He gripped the handles with +renewed determination and waited. + +The tiger had sustained a shock at seeing the unknown monster he +was tackling roll over, and for a time satisfied himself by growling +savagely. But as the monster lay still "Stripes" tried the experiment +of a sharp blow with his paw. The palki rested on uneven ground and +the blow made it rock. The tiger waited awhile; and when the rocking +had subsided administered another stroke. The palki rocked again. The +situation now developed into a game between the huge cat and the +palki. When he slapped the palki rocked; and when the palki ceased +vibrating the tiger slapped again. Inside the palki, the Inspector +held on to the handles of the door and prayed for deliverance. + +At last the tiger, wearied of the game and purring loudly, walked +away. Bose breathed more freely but knew not if the danger was +past. There he lay gripping the handles of the door and wishing for +daylight. At last the dawn broke and with the first rays of light +courage returned to the bearers and servants, who were hiding in +the branches of the surrounding trees. They called to each other, +expressing anxiety as to their master's fate. Finally, as the daylight +grew stronger they encouraged each other to descend and approach +the palki. + +As they examined it with wonder some very cutting remarks from within +assured them of their master's existence, and with many apologies +for the abrupt way in which they had abandoned him they righted the +palki and assisted him out. + +The journey was soon resumed and Bose had the satisfaction of arresting +the murderer in spite of his ill-timed adventure and forced delay. + + + +An Assam Adventure + +Some years ago, an English baron came out to India to enjoy some +tiger shooting. He received invitations to many Native States, and was +having a right royal time. In the course of his wanderings he came to +Assam. In those days, the jungles of Assam swarmed with tigers but a +"man-eater" was very rarely known there. + +Sir M. was in a small camp with just two or three other guns, and all +were hopeful of "bagging" a tiger, for the roaring of the lords of the +jungle could be heard almost every night. The tents had been pitched +on the bank of a river and all round the camp and on the opposite +bank was heavy jungle. Wild animals abounded in these jungles and the +camp servants did not appreciate the site. No sooner had the Sahebs +finished their dinner than the servants disappeared into their tents, +and securing themselves within, as strongly as they could, devoutly +hoped that the morning light would find them still alive and unharmed. + +One evening Sir M. retired to his own tent immediately after dinner. He +was very tired but as he was not sleepy, he made himself comfortable +and settled down on a long-sleeved chair with a book. His tent was +a small one, with a camp cot, a couple of chairs and a table. On the +table stood a reading lamp. M. was soon absorbed in his book and did +not notice how the hours fled. The camp became quiet and still. It +was a dark close night and the door of his tent stood open, for he +was a lover of air. He had read on for some time when his attention +was drawn to a movement of his tent wall. It seemed to him as if +some one or something was rubbing along the side. He put down his +book and got on to his feet to see what it could be. As he was about +to step forward the head of a tiger loomed in the doorway, the eyes +gleaming brightly. Sir M. stood motionless with surprise and "Stripes" +stepped into the tent. He was a fine specimen of a Royal Bengal tiger, +and M. forgot everything in his admiration of the noble animal. + +The table with the lamp upon it stood between Sir M. and the tiger, +and each stood on either side of it gazing at each other. As the silent +seconds passed, Sir M. realized that he was in danger and bethought +him of his rifle which was almost within reach of his hand; but he +dared not move and so continued gazing steadfastly at his visitor. The +tiger too stood, surveying his vis-a-vis and then began to move round +the table. The lamp either attracted or annoyed him and he raised +his paw to the table. The weight of the huge paw tilted the table, +the lamp toppled and fell with a crash. The terrified tiger gave a +mighty roar, turned tail and fled. + +The camp was aroused. Everyone shouted and rushed out into the night, +armed with some weapon or other. Sir M. related to his brother guns +what had happened and they all enjoyed a good laugh and rather envied +him for the fine sight he had of such a superb specimen of the kings +of the jungle. + + + +A Thrilling Story + +One evening, in Assam, a young Englishman was driving along a lonely +jungle road. He wished to visit a neighbouring Saheb; and though his +servants had warned him that tigers had been frequently seen on that +particular road, he had laughed at their fears and told them that +the only tiger to be feared was a "man-eater", and that there were no +"man-eating" tigers about that district. As usual in the mofussil of +India, he was going out to dine and sleep, and his bearer had put up +his clothes and his suit case was stowed into the dog-cart. + +The road was a good one and considerably wide, for it was the main +thoroughfare in the district and along it tea, jute and all other +agricultural products were transported to the river for export to other +districts of India and also to Europe. Nevertheless it was bordered +on either side by dense jungle, and there were few villages in its +vicinity. After sunset it was a road little frequented by villagers +and it had the reputation of being tiger-haunted. + +There was no moon and, as B. had not started much before sunset, +darkness soon overtook him on the road. As he had no syce with him +he got down to light the trap-lamps and jumped in and drove on again +very cheerily. He was not far from where he must turn off the main +road to the narrow one leading to his friend's estate, when the pony +suddenly took fright at something and bolted. At first B. tried to +pull the animal up; but its erect ears and wild snorting showed him +that there was cause for alarm. He looked over his shoulder and in +the dim starlight discerned the bulk of some animal in pursuit of +them. An eerie feeling came over him and he wondered what was going +to happen. He sat tight in his seat and let the pony race on. The +chase continued and the pony began to show signs of collapse. It was +evidently being overcome by fear and, in spite of all B.'s urging, +could not keep up the pace, and the pursuing animal gained upon +them. B. had just determined to leap from the cart when the pony +tripped and fell and B. was shot out of the cart. He fell into the +long grass on the side of the road, and had barely collected himself +when a dark form sprang upon the pony. + +The poor animal neighed with fear but kicked and fought its +foe. B. rolled down the side of the road and began to crawl away +through the jungle as fast as he could. Long grass and thorny brambles +grew on either side of the road and as it was the dry season every +movement of his made a crackling and rustling; and often he fancied +he heard an animal in pursuit of him, or he would imagine he was +about to meet one coming through the jungle towards him. He pressed +on as fast as he could, sometimes crawling and sometimes walking, +and at last he saw the glimmer of lights and came to some huts. He +shouted to the inmates who came to his assistance. + +When they discovered a Saheb in such a plight they were full of +concern, helped him to their huts, gave him hot milk to drink and +washed his wounds. His clothes were torn and his hands and knees +bleeding from his flight through the thorny jungle. The sympathising +villagers emptied a hut for him to rest in, and when morning came +escorted him to the scene of his mishap. + +The mangled remains of his poor pony told him that the wild animal +had been a very famished tiger. B. returned to his own bungalow a +wiser man, and told his servants that, had he taken their advice, he +would not have suffered such an adventure or the loss of his pony. He +rewarded the villagers for their kindness and hospitality and for a +long time his escape was the talk of the district. + + + +A Cachar Tiger + +In the province of Assam lies a fertile and picturesque valley called +Cachar. Shut in on north, south and east by lofty hills, this valley +remained hidden for centuries and was never conquered by any of the +Mahommedan rulers of India. + +Here a race of aboriginal kings held sway, and it was the East India +Company who first became masters of this hilly corner of Bengal. In +1830, the last of the old Cachari kings died without heir, and +"Company Bahadoor" took possession of the little kingdom. + +In 1855, the discovery of the tea-plant, growing wild in the jungles, +opened out a new industry, and soon the low-lying hills, knolls and +undulating plains of the little valley became gradually clear of +jungle, and covered instead with row after row of carefully-kept and +trim tea bushes. To-day acres upon acres of tea are grown in Cachar; +and the inland steamers, which ply all through the rainy season up +and down the wide-rolling stream of the river Barak, bring down for +export millions of pounds of tea for the "cheering cup". + +Cachar is rich in forests, and tigers and other wild animals are there +in plenty. During the monsoon the jungle animals retreat to the higher +levels of the forest-clad hills. But when the rains abate they begin +to gradually descend; and when the great "hoars" or fenlands dry up +at the approach of the cold season, numerous tigers take up their +winter haunts in the patches of jungle, which grow here and there in +the marsh lands, and in the forests which often surround or separate +the tea gardens. + +It was cold-weather time about forty years ago, and four planters +sat talking after dinner in the Manager's bungalow on a tea garden +in Cachar. We will call them M., B., C. and H. + +The bungalow, like many bungalows in tea districts, stood on a +high hill, the steep sides of which had been terraced and planted +with tea. On adjacent but lower hills stood the factory and coolie +lines. Everything was quiet and lay wrapped in a heavy fog. + +In the verandah near the steps sat the bungalow chowkidar +(watchman). The charity of the Tea Company had provided him and his +fellow-coolies with blankets. And he wore his in the usual pachim +(North-West Provinces) style: one end of the blanket is pleated and +tied closely with a piece of string, the short part above the cord +forming a tuft. The wearer pulls the pleated end of the blanket over +his head, the tuft resting on his crown. The sides of the blanket are +drawn round the body, and thus the blanket is made to form both a hood +and a cloak, in which the wearer hugs himself against the inclemency +of the weather. + +The chowkidar sat on his mat huddled up in his blanket, droning one +of the time-honoured bhajans (hymns) of India. + +Presently he disappeared and, next, piercing yells rent the mist-laden +atmosphere. The four Sahebs were in the verandah in a trice, and soon +discovered the chowkidar returning to the verandah, visibly shaken +and without his blanket. + +"What is the matter, and who shouted?" asked the Manager. + +"Saheb," the chowkidar replied in a quavering voice "a tiger sprang +on me and caught the knot of my blanket." + +"Here!" interrupted the four Englishmen incredulously. + +"Yes, Huzoor (Your Honour), as I sat here against this post the tiger +came, seized the knot of my blanket and began to pull. Like lightning +I made my plan. I grasped with a strong tight hold the sides of the +blanket and holding myself together like a ball I let Lord Tiger +pull. He dragged me to the edge of the tila (hill). There I suddenly +let go the blanket and shouted with all my might. The tiger fell over, +down the hill, and is gone." + +Sure enough, there were the foot-marks of the tiger, the mark of +the drag, and the signs of where "Stripes" had slipped over and down +the terrace. + +The tiger had been harrying the coolies for some time and a rumour +had got about that he was a man-eater. It was pretty certain that he +would come again the next night; so the planters determined to sit +up and shoot him. + +On the following night after dinner M. B. C. and H. took their +positions on the verandah. Each had his loaded gun and all waited +patiently for the tiger. Time passed. It was weary work and they dozed. + +M.'s dog had wandered off to the kitchen as usual after dinner. After +some time it returned hurriedly and ran up the steps of the verandah, +barking in a frightened manner. The dog's barking woke the four +men. B. sat first near the steps and H. not far from him in a +dining-room chair. + +The dog ran into the dining-room and hid himself under the table and +everything again became quiet, and the men waited. Suddenly a hoarse +cry paralysed three of them. "He's on me. Shoot." + +The tiger had come up on to the verandah and springing at B. caught him +by the arm. Then, releasing the arm, he made a spring at his victim's +throat. B. was instantly on his feet and, as the tiger essayed his +throat, he rammed his clenched fist into the animal's mouth. The +tiger shook the man's fist out of its mouth and made another attempt +to reach his throat. B. repeated his manoeuvre. This happened three +or four times. + +In the meantime the other three men dared not shoot for fear of missing +the ferocious cat and killing their comrade. H. had the presence of +mind to swiftly fix his bayonet, and, rushing towards the tiger, he +thrust it in the animal's side, firing as he did so. The tiger fell +backwards off the verandah mortally wounded, but to the amazement +of the Sahebs struggled tip and made another attempt to get at B. He +was however too badly wounded and fell back dead. + +B.'s hand and arm were terribly mauled, and after medical treatment +he had to go home on long leave. + + + +A Maharajah's Adventures + +A Maharajah of Bengal who became a noted sportsman shot his first +tiger when he was quite a small boy. When about twelve years of +age he went out on a shoot one cold weather on his estate. He was +accompanied by some of his relatives, and they encamped in one of +the forest bungalows. This bungalow was just an ordinary Assam house +built on a chang or raised platform. It consisted of a large centre +room with a bedroom on either side and a deep verandah in the front, +where the servants slept at night. Under large trees, some little +distance away, the elephants were chained, and not far off were +stables for the horses. + +The Maharajah shared his room with a friend, a lad about two years +older than himself. One night between ten and eleven o'clock, when +all were in bed and asleep after a tiring day and an early dinner, +the near roaring of a tiger awakened the camp. In a twinkling the +servants had transferred themselves and their bedding from the verandah +into the centre room and securely bolted the door. Roar after roar +sounded through the night, but the young Maharajah slept the healthful +and deep sleep of tired childhood and the mighty voice of the lord +of the jungle did not disturb him. His friend was awakened by the +majestic sound and lay trembling with fear; envying his blissfully +unconscious companion, until the nearness of the tiger broke down +his self-control and, vigorously shaking his bed-fellow, he shouted +in his ear: "Tiger, tiger!" + +The young Maharajah awoke, yawned, stretched and listened. The roaring +had ceased but under the bungalow they could hear the purring of a +tiger as it rubbed itself against a post. The younger and fearless +boy laughed with glee and assured his friend that there was no danger +of the tiger getting into the bungalow, and that on the morrow they +would be easily able to track and shoot it. Soon the sounds of purring +and rubbing gave place to others, and the occupants of the bungalow +realised that more than one tiger played beneath them. Next day in +the jungle near the forest bungalow the party shot a couple of tigers, +a tigress and her cubs. + +In later years the Maharajah became famous for his shoots and many and +varied were his adventures and experiences. One year he was in camp +with a large party and they were out one afternoon after buffaloes. A +fine bull was driven out of a patch of thick jungle and faced the guns +with defiance in his eyes. He was a grand target and the Maharajah's +finger ached to pull his trigger, but courtesy forbade him and he +generously, as always, left the fine prize for his guests. But, one +after another, each missed his shot and the noble bull charged past +into thicker jungle. As the line of guns attempted to follow, one +of them spied a leopard up on a tree looking thoroughly scared. This +animal had evidently been disturbed by the commotion in the forest and +had been so terrified that it had climbed into a tree for shelter; and +there, on a branch, poor "Spots" fell an easy prey to the sportsmen. + +One of the strangest adventures that the Maharajah had was when, +returning to camp one evening, he was informed that one of his largest +and best elephants, "Kennedy", had got stuck in quicksand. In many +parts of Assam there are quicksands and quagmires. This particular one +chanced to be in a nala (stream). The elephant had refused to cross +the partially dried-up stream. Instinct had warned him through the +tip of his trunk that danger lurked there, but his mahout (driver), +anxious to get into camp after a hard day and knowing that across +this stream was a short cut, had forced him. They had advanced but +a yard or two when the huge animal began to sink, and the more he +struggled and strove to extricate himself the deeper he sank. The +Maharajah hastened to the spot as soon as he heard of the catastrophe, +for "Kennedy" was a fine and valuable elephant and a steady one for +shikar (shooting). At the sound of his master's voice poor "Kennedy" +looked towards the bank, and the Maharajah saw that great tears of +anguish were rolling down the poor beast's face as he bellowed in +an agony of fear. The Maharajah directed the men who had gathered +around the scene to fell some saplings, which were conveyed to the +nala by some smaller elephant and pushed into the quagmire towards +"Kennedy". The poor entrapped animal seemed to understand that efforts +were being made to rescue him, and he obeyed his driver's now soothing +voice and held himself still. At last, the combined labours of men +and brother-elephants provided a safe footing of submerged saplings +and branches; and "Kennedy" pulled himself out of the treacherous +sand and was escorted back to the camp with great rejoicings. + +Not long after this "Kennedy" distinguished himself in another way, +but this time evoked the displeasure and not the pity of his good +master. An engineer, named Ashton, had charge of the feilkhana +(elephant stables) and had once severely punished "Kennedy". After +the manner of his kind, the elephant bore the memory of the outrage +in his heart and waited the opportunity to be revenged. One morning +the camp was astir for a shoot. The guests stood ready outside +their tents and the elephants were waiting to carry them into the +forest. Suddenly "Kennedy" charged at Ashton, who stood a little +apart from the group, and flinging him to the ground began to roll +him under his feet. The Maharajah, with wonderful presence of mind, +immediately ordered "Debraj", a larger and more powerful elephant than +"Kennedy" and his rival in the feilkhana, to the rescue. "Debraj's" +mahout ordered him to charge at "Kennedy", and, urged forward with +voice and prong; "Debraj" did so with a good will. When "Kennedy" +saw his ancient enemy charging at him, he forgot his grudge against +Ashton, and, considering that "he who fights and runs away lives to +fight another day", he bolted, with his trunk in the air. Ashton was +picked up from the dust very much shaken by his rolling and fright but, +to the astonishment of every one, in no way injured. + +During one of his shooting expeditions, the Maharajah and his +companions decided one night that they would go out on foot at +the very break of dawn and see the animal world in the jungle; and +they were well rewarded for their adventurous spirit. In a glade +of the forest they had a magnificent sight of a large herd of bison +peacefully grazing in the dewy grass. They could hear tigers and bears +passing back through the jungles to their dens in the deeper forest, +and as the men stood there admiring the grand heads of the bison a +monstrous tiger passed along quite close to one of the party, the +Maharajah's brother-in-law. On the bank of a river they came upon +a nest of young pythons. The guests thought it was a curious mound; +but the Maharajah recognised the reared heads of the young snakes and +told his friends what the heap was. When they came closer, they could +see that the long slimy bodies were all twisted together; and with an +uncanny feeling, the sportsmen watched these serpents uncoil themselves +from each other and glide away and disappear through the grass. + +Once, after a long and fruitless day in the jungles, the Maharajah +decided he would try his luck stalking some deer that he spied on the +opposite side of a narrow strip of jungle. He accordingly left his +elephant and began to creep through the long dry bramble-choked grass +with his rifle in his hand. As he pushed his way through the thick +jungle he fancied he heard an animal breathing and then something +crackled. Intent on the deer before him, he concluded that he had +broken a twig or a branch with the end of his rifle and pushed on. As +he emerged from the thicket on the opposite side from where he had +entered, he came face to face with a group of shepherds. They stared +at him in amazement and then, recognising him as their Maharajah, fell +at his feet in rapturous joy. Accustomed as he was to demonstrations +from his people, their abandon struck him as something unusual, and he +was about to question them when they exclamed: "Hoozoor, Dharmabatar, +(Your Honor, Royal Master,) how did you come in safety through that +jungle?" He smiled at their wonderment and was about to chide them +gently when they continued: "An immense tiger has just slain one of +our cows and dragged it into that very jungle from which Your Honor has +emerged." The Maharajah now understood that the sound he had heard as +he pushed his way through the jungle was the tiger enjoying a feed of +his kill, and he felt thankful that he had not stumbled directly upon +it. Like the keen sportsman he was, he signalled his elephant and, +mounting it, secured the feasting tiger with an easy shot. + +One cold season, the Viceroy was enjoying a shoot on the Maharajah's +estates. One evening, as they were dressing for dinner, there came +through the stillness of the restful air the "twitter" of a tiger. Do +many of my readers know what the "twitter" of a tiger is? It is a sound +the Monarch of the Jungle makes and it is just like the twitter of a +bird;--in fact, some declare it is only the twitter of a bird. Well, +on this particular evening, the tiger must have been passing quite +close to the camp, for his "twitter" was clear and unmistakeable. The +Maharajah, with his usual courtesy, immediately bethought himself of +his guests, and invited Their Excellencies to come out into the open +and listen to the novel sound. They did, and very pleased and proud +they were when they heard the tiger's "twitter" clearly and distinctly +through the gathering shade and stillness of the darkening night. + +The shooting camps were invariably pitched on the bank of a river or +stream. One evening, two of the servants crossed the shallow stream in +front of the camp to enjoy some fishing. They found a suitable place +behind a mound and here they sat quietly watching their lines. The +afternoon hours passed swiftly and the sun was nearing the horizon +when their attention was simultaneously drawn to a sound above their +heads. Looking up, to their horror, they saw an immense tiger just +above them. One of them shivered with terror and, clutching his +companion, said in a hoarse whisper: "Our hour has come." The other +whispered back: "Keep perfectly still and quiet." Breathless, the two +watched the huge tiger descend the bank and pass majestically to the +edge of the water where he stopped to quench his thirst. It seemed to +the two trembling men that it took the Lord of the Jungle fully half +an hour to drink his fill. Then, as slowly and impressively, the tiger +turned from the stream and ascended the bank. When he reached the top +he stood there, gazing before him either as if admiring the scenery +or contemplating a meal off one of the men. The pair scarcely dared to +breathe and wild schemes of taking to their heels to gain the centre of +the stream and swim down the river shot through their brains. At last +the tiger slowly turned away from the river and disappeared into the +forest. Then, after some time, the frightened servants hurried across +the stream back to camp, and told the Maharajah of their terrible +experience. The footprints of the animal corroborated their story +and their asseveration that they had seen a very very big tiger. + +During one of the shoots, the shikaris (native sportsmen) brought news +that a rhino had been seen in a certain jungle. The guests were much +excited and a beat was organised for the next day. The morning dawned +and all set out and were soon posted to their various positions. The +front "stop" guns were on the bank of a river. The Maharajah was in +the beating line. When about half way through the piece of jungle +he noticed that one of his brother guns looked disappointed. He +accordingly asked "What's up?" The guest answered that he thought that +a large animal had broken back. However nothing was discovered and as +it was mid-day a halt for lunch was considered desirable. A spot was +soon selected and the signal given and the lines broke up. Just as +the foremost elephants were about to kneel to permit their riders to +dismount, there arose from the "stop" elephants a cry of "Tiger". In +the jungle, quite close to one of the "stop" guns, a tiger was enjoying +a feed of a wild pig; and as the elephant turned to join the others, +he almost trod on the tiger. In a moment the line was re-organised, +but the surprised tiger, finding itself surrounded by foes, turned +tail and ran down the bank of the river. The stream was nearly dry +and the bed was very shingly, and as the startled tiger picked its +way gingerly across the pebbles and pools of water it looked like a +stranded cat. It had not progressed very far when a well-directed shot +laid it low; and with this unexpected prize the party sat down to lunch +in excellent spirits. As rhino generally fight shy of elephants, they +did not think there was much use continuing the beat after lunch. So +they decided that they should make tracks for home and have general +shooting. General shooting means that there is no beating line. A +long straight line of march is formed, and each gun elephant is in +between the pad or beating elephants. The Maharajah was almost the +last gun in the line. Nearly all were out of the jungle when his keen +and practised eye noticed a small pad elephant jib at something as +they passed through a piece of jungle. "Did your elephant refuse to +come through?" he questioned the mahout of the small elephant. "Yes, +Maharajah, he smelt something in the jungle," the man replied. "Beat +this piece of jungle", the Maharajah quickly ordered the pad elephants +with him. They beat it and drove forth a rhino which fell dead to the +Maharajah's gun. Before His Highness had time to take up his other +rifle, a second galloped out of the jungle and charged straight at +the Maharajah's elephant. The elephant spun round to avoid the furious +onslaught and in the meantime the Maharajah managed to raise his gun +and, getting in his shot in spite of the gyrations of the elephant, +laid out rhino No. 2 in grand style to the applause of his companions. + +Coming back to camp in the dusk one evening, the Maharajah, who had +wonderful eyesight, thought he saw a tiger lying still in an open +field. He raised his gun and whispered to his mahout. As they came +nearer, the tiger--for tiger it was--raised itself to its feet and +prepared to spring at the elephant. Too late! Snap went the Maharajah's +trigger and the royal beast lay dead. + +These are but a few of the shooting adventures of a sportsman-Maharajah +who has gone on the long journey from life to the greater life beyond, +but whose memory lives in the annals of Bengal as a keen and successful +shot. + + + + + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bengal Dacoits and Tigers, by +Maharanee Sunity Devee + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENGAL DACOITS AND TIGERS *** + +***** This file should be named 10928.txt or 10928.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/2/10928/ + +Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Million Book Project) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/old/10928.zip b/old/old/10928.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..92ecab3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/10928.zip |
