laid: if made of tarred rope, it would prove too heavy, and oppose great
resistance, by its want of elasticity, to the exertions of the
_dandies_, each of whom, fixing the end of his cord to it, and resting
the bamboo club over his shoulder, so that it may act, in some measure,
as a lever, proceeds at an easy pace, his body leaning well forward,
each following at about four feet behind the other. The foremost at the
track-rope has a great advantage over his followers; he not being
subject to the numerous checks and vibrations occasioned by the frequent
impediments, whether bushes, banks, masts of other vessels, &c., which
operate very forcibly on those whose cords are attached to that part of
the rope in his rear.
The number of _dandies_ at a track-rope may be too many, as well as too
few; except when a boat can keep close to the shore, and the _ghoon_
makes but a very small angle from the line of her progress: then, all
the power that can be given certainly proves efficient; but, when the
angle between the boat’s direction and the rope becomes considerable, it
is evident the whole labor falls on a very few of the leading _dandies_;
in fact, all but those few are then compelled to liberate their cords
from the _ghoon_, otherwise they must be inevitably dragged out into the
stream, unless those cords were many fathoms, instead of only four or
five feet, in length.
The greater part of the trading boats use a different apparatus for
tracking; in them, each _dandy_ is supplied with a fine cord, about as
thick as a swan’s quill, made of a fine kind of long grass called
_moonje_, which, when wetted, and twisted into this kind of tackle,
becomes firm and elastic; though it will not answer for cordage in
general. Each _dandy_ has about seventy yards of line, the inner end of
which fastens to a stout rope, reeved, the same as the _ghoon_, at the
mast-head, and long enough to be let out amply where requisite.
The other end of the line is coiled up by each _dandy_ respectively, who
fastens his bamboo club by its cord, at such part of the _moonje_ line
as may be let out; generally a small quantity of coil being reserved,
which hangs down either over each _dandy’s_ breast or shoulder. By this
means, each man tracks separately, and cannot be idle without the
_manjy_ instantly detecting him; the several lines form so many rays
from the mast-head, and are capable, when equally strained, to bear an
immense burthen.
Nothing can be more unpleasant than having to pass a _ghaut_ where
numbers of boats are lying: on such an occasion, a man is sent up to the
mast-head of each, in succession, for the purpose of passing the
_ghoon_; which, when liberated from one, swings on to another, causing a
severe shock to the hinder _dandy_ of the tracking party. Some use a
very simple device for passing the _ghoon_ over their mast-heads: this
consists merely of a kind of fork, made by tying the end of the _ghoon_,
of each vessel respectively, then at rest, to a long bamboo, about a
quarter of the length down. The _ghoon_ being pulled, the bamboo is
raised, and carries with it that of the boat in motion: a man then slips
the latter over the mast-head with great facility.
It is not always that the people on board boats, laying at _ghauts_,
will turn out to pass the _ghoon_; on which occasions, words are rarely
of much avail. I always found that a _pellet-bow_, which sends
clay-balls to about a hundred yards distance with considerable force,
produced an instantaneous effect; the first shot rattling against the
matted sides of a vessel’s interior, rarely failing to cause wondrous
activity on the part of her crew; though, now and then, it has been
necessary to repeat the operation, before the desired effect could be
produced.
I strongly recommend to all gentlemen travelling by water, that they
insist on the _manjies_ of their several boats carrying a small flag, of
some obvious distinction, at their mast-heads: this prevents them from
lying to, and concealing their vessels amidst a forest of masts, as they
are very apt to do, when intent upon a clandestine trading voyage.
Besides, as in the course of a day’s tracking, and especially when
sailing, it is very common for a _budjrow_ to get many miles a-head,
such a device then becomes a guide as to the propriety of coming to for
the night, or, intermediately, for dinner, &c.
The number of miles which can be run over in the course of a day in a
_budjrow_, will necessarily vary according to circumstances, guided by
the quantity of water in the river, the direction and force of the wind,
and the competency of the crew. I cannot do better, in this place, than
offer the words of Major Rennell. At page 360 of his Memoirs, he says,
‘From the beginning of November, to the middle, or latter end of May,
the usual rate of going _with_ the stream, is forty miles in a day of
twelve hours; and, during the rest of the year, from fifty to seventy
miles. The current is strongest while the waters of the inundation are
draining off; which happens, in part, in August and September.’
In a former part, I remarked that the rivers generally rise a few inches
in May; which is to be attributed to the melting of the snow on those
hills where the Ganges and Barampooter have their source. Both those
rivers, which have their rise at the base, but on opposite sides, of the
same mountain, and, after separating to full twelve hundred miles
asunder, unite, and form that immense volume of water called the Megna,
receive a supply from the same quarter, and at the same time: we cannot,
however, expect the force of their currents to be encreased much before
the rains are fairly set in, which may be, generally, about the 10th of
June, when their waters do, indeed, roll impetuously; so much, that many
a boat has proceeded from Patna to Monghyr, a distance of one hundred
measured miles by land, and full one hundred and twenty by water,
between day-break and sun-set.
Major Rennell adds, ‘Seventeen to twenty miles a day, according to the
ground, and the number of impediments, is the greatest distance that a
large _budjrow_ can be towed against the stream, during the fair season;
and, to accomplish this, the boat must be drawn through the water, at
the rate of four miles and a half per hour, for twelve hours. When the
waters are high, a greater progress will be made, notwithstanding the
encreased velocity of the current; because, the filling of the river-bed
gives many opportunities of cutting off angles and turnings; and,
sometimes, even large windings, by going through creeks. As the wind, at
this season, blows upwards,’ (_i.e._ against the current,) ‘in most of
the rivers, opportunities of using the sail frequently occur.’
It must not be supposed, from the foregoing, that the boat actually
makes a progress of four miles and a half within the hour: far from it,
the _dandies_ rarely walk more than two miles in that time, but the
velocity of the current being taken into account, would shew, that, if a
log were to be heaved, the difference between the log and the boat’s
advance would give the result alluded to by the Major, whose general
correctness cannot be too much admired.
In using the sail, infinite changes take place; sometimes it is full,
then again close-hauled, and, perhaps, ultimately, lowered on a sudden,
according as the course of the river may change; and this some twenty or
thirty times within the day. But when the reaches lie tolerably fair,
that opportunity offers, as sometimes happens for a whole day together,
and that the wind is brisk in favor, a _budjrow_ will run off from four
to six miles within the hour. The river is often so low as to render the
navigation very tedious, even under all the above favorable
circumstances, by forcing the _manjy_ to abide by the strong deep
waters, and to wind in among the sands, which cause the channel to
change its direction very frequently.
During the rains, and especially in the cold months, travelling by water
is extremely pleasant with the stream; but, whatever facilities may be
afforded, in any shape, I cannot say that any trip upwards, at whatever
season, afforded me the smallest gratification. What with tracking,
getting aground, remaining long among eddies, in which human carcases
were floating in all the various stages of putrefaction, the dust
flying, &c., &c., nothing but _ennui_, or impatience, can reasonably be
expected.
Here and there a walk may be taken; but he who ventures ashore must be
watchful to embark before the _budjrow_ may be obliged to put far out
for the purpose of passing some endless shallow; otherwise, he may have
to walk under a vertical sun, through bushes, or over ploughed, or
muddy, lands, and among ravines, for many an hour, before the
opportunity many offer for getting on board: to crown the whole, he may,
perhaps, come to some _nullah_, or small stream, over which no
conveyance is to be had, either by bridge or boat!
My zeal for bringing home a few birds, or a hare, has often decoyed me
into scrapes of this kind, and caused me to utter many an imprecation
against the river, for winding, the _manjy_, for going on, and my own
folly, for subjecting myself to such unpleasant circumstances. I must
freely confess, that, in this respect, ‘experience did _not_ give
wisdom;’ for, after full a thousand and one such disappointments, I
felt, at the last, just as eager as ever, to silence such _chuckores_ (a
species of grouse) as had the insolence to crow within my hearing!
The navigation of the large rivers is rather more hazardous than among
those of less breadth. When it is considered, that the Ganges runs for
upwards of a thousand miles through a country nearly level, and whose
undulations are scarcely perceptible, except in a few places where the
hills come down to the water’s edge, as at Sickregully, Pointee,
Colgong, Chunar, &c., it must appear obvious that but little shelter can
be expected from these squalls, called ‘north-westers,’ which, from the
end of February until the setting in of the rains, occur almost daily,
and blow with considerable violence. Even when under a high bank, it
will require much care, and good tackle, to prevent a _budjrow_ from
being blown out into the middle, where, if she is top-heavy, as is too
often the case, and the proper means be not taken to keep her head to
the wind, she will stand a chance of being overset.
Fortunately, the approach of a squall is always strongly indicated by
the black appearance above the horizon, and by the distant lightnings:
when such are sufficiently characterized to leave little doubt of the
storm’s passing that way, shelter should be sought in some creek, or
under some high bank, of firm appearance, where the _budjrow_ should be
well secured by hawsers, carried out, and made fast to, substantial
stakes driven into the ground by means of large malls, with all which
every boat should be amply provided. _Luggies_, (or bamboo-poles,) ought
to be carried out on the lee-side, for the purpose of resisting the
wind, and causing the upper parts of the vessel to bear up duly against
the severe gusts which commonly usher in the gale.
If the vessel is on a lee-shore, the _luggies_ must, of course, be
between her and the bank, to prevent her from bumping against it, and
the anchor should be carried out to windward, into deep water, to keep
her from being forced ashore: a danger particularly to be apprehended on
long shelving sands; where many a well-conditioned boat has had her
bottom beat out, by the force with which the surges, coming across an
expanse of perhaps a mile, or more, have dashed her against the hard
sand.
Such situations are peculiarly hazardous, and ought to be avoided most
carefully: the misfortune is, that, from eagerness to get forward, and
from the hope that a north-wester may be either moderate, or pass
another way, folks, in general, keep pushing on, and allow many a secure
asylum to be passed very imprudently! Those who have experienced the
effects of a violent squall about Sheerness, may be proper judges of
what is to be expected from a most furious gale, which often continues
for an hour, or more, in a river which may be said generally to flow
between banks full two miles asunder, and which are, in most parts, from
three to five, in some, full seven, miles apart!
About Bengal, especially in the Sunderbund-passages, _decoits_, or
water-robbers, are sometimes numerous. These often assemble in fleets,
composed of long narrow boats, rowing from twelve to thirty oars, or
paddles, at pleasure, and carrying from thirty to sixty, or seventy,
men. Sometimes their fleets have been so formidable, and have so
effectually put a stop to all commerce, as to call the attention of
government, and to demand the presence of a strong establishment, backed
by liberal offers of rewards, before the rivers could be resorted to in
safety. Between Dacca and Backergunge, among the islands formed by the
several minor branches of the Ganges, and by the innumerable creeks,
with which the banditti are perfectly familiar, it has often been
impossible for any boat to make its way, even for a few miles, without
being boarded by these _decoits_.
As to rewards, little good is to be expected from them; the system
adopted by the marauders is such as to render abortive any lures of that
description. Where all participate, all will be found faithful to the
cause, whether virtue or vice be the leader; and, where localities are
such as to afford perfect security from the common run of pursuers, and
where numbers render the association too formidable to admit any hope of
success on the part of small detachments; in such instances, rewards can
rarely produce the smallest benefit.
Wherever a boat, or even a fleet, may come to for the night, it will be
indispensably necessary to keep a sharp look-out against thieves, who,
appertaining to the several villages in the neighbourhood, rarely fail
to assemble, during the night, under some bold chief, and to make an
attempt to plunder by main force. It is scarcely to be credited to what
a height this daring species of robbery has been, at times, carried.
Were no other occasion existing, this would amount to ample cause for
obtaining, if possible, a guard of sepoys, for the purpose of protecting
the boats; but, strange to say, it is sometimes necessary to compel the
villagers to sell their poultry, &c., to passengers, both by land and by
water, although not simply a liberal, but an exorbitant remuneration is
offered.
This does not proceed from unwillingness to make money, nor to sell the
article in question, but merely from a spirit of opposition which
pervades a large portion of the native population, who are often too
adverse to contribute to the comfort, or, more properly, to the
existence, of Europeans. It must seem curious that our countrymen are
allowed to reside among a people of such a disposition, so far
out-numbering, and possessed of such easy means of extirpating, us, with
very little previous arrangement.
In saying this, I do not mean to accuse the natives of India of being so
debased, so immoral, or so vindictive, as they have been represented by
many gentlemen, especially some divines who have lately returned from
the East, and whose opinions breathe by no means the spirit of that
sublime religion they would coerce the natives to adopt. Taking all
points into consideration, and viewing the nature of the country
conjointly with the nature of their laws, and of their former
government, I think we have by far more to admire than to censure, in a
race of people, who, notwithstanding some highly remarkable instances of
depravity, may be classed among the most innocent, and most industrious,
of worldly inhabitants!!!
This is saying much, but not _too_ much, of a nation whose government
absolutely tolerates thieving as a regular profession, and which has
been known to make a very free use of the talents of its subjects for
the purposes of obtaining plunder, or of gratifying its pique and
resentment. I much fear, that, if such were the case with us, and that,
if, instead of being ruled by a virtuous king, we were placed under a
buccaneering monarch, we should by no means find so many pleas of
extenuation as the natives of Hindostan can justly boast!
The truth of this position, in itself so reasonable, is made more fully
evident by the obvious difference subsisting between the Company’s and
the Vizier’s dominions. In the former, the depredations committed are
always nocturnal, and of that description to be expected under the
foregoing circumstances; in the latter, the speculation is infinitely
more open, more systematic, and more extensive.
That considerable amelioration must have taken place under our
government, is to be proved, from the safety with which travellers may
proceed by land throughout the country, when compared with the extreme
danger attendant upon a journey through any part of the Vizier’s
territory; wherein almost every well presents the horrid spectacle of
the mangled bodies of those who become victims to the sanguinary hordes
of robbers that infest every part of that prince’s dominions.
On this account, every gentleman proceeding by land, from one to another
station, should make a point of obtaining a small guard of a naik and
four, or even of two, sepoys, whose presence will generally prove a
considerable check on the adventurous disposition of the villagers in
that quarter. This precaution will not, however, alone be sufficient;
application should be made to the _jemmadar_, or head-borough, of each
village where the party may encamp, for a certain number of
_chokey-dars_, (watchmen,) proportioned to the number of tents, horses,
&c., and the whole of the property of every description should be
nominally put under the charge of the men thus furnished, observing,
that the regular pay, which may be from four to six pice, or halfpence,
for each, should be punctually paid to the _jemmadar_ when the camp
breaks up the next morning, and that every item is found to be in a
state of safety.
When _coolies_ (_i.e._ porters) are wanted, to carry the beds, tables,
&c, of a party, application should be made, in like manner, to the
_jemmadar_; and when, after arrival at the next stage, they may be
discharged, it will be proper to be attentive to the regular payment of
every individual thus furnished; otherwise, the servants to whom it may
be entrusted to discharge them, will generally withhold a large portion,
or even the whole, of what may have been ordered.
By thus regularly attending to matters of this description, the
villagers will come forward with more alacrity; though, it must be
confessed, they are generally very unwilling to engage as _coolies_;
which is not to be wondered at, since the _jemmadars_ generally extort
from them at least half their earnings on such occasions: the evil being
incurable, as matters now stand, must be borne as gracefully as our
feelings may allow; and we must remain content with the reflection of
doing justice ourselves, though we know for certain that our liberality,
in the end, flows into a wrong channel.
When practicable, it is highly expedient to obtain from the European
collector’s office, or even from any of the natives under his immediate
authority, who may be deputed to, or resident at, such places as lie
near the road, a _rhahwaunah_, or pass-port, wherein it should be set
forth, that, whatever necessaries, or _coolies_, or _chokey-dars_, or
_dowraws_, (guides,) may be requisite, should be furnished by such
_jemmadars_ of villages as should be called upon for supplies of the
above description. This always ensures respect and attention, and causes
the whole of the persons, to whom it is addressed, to be vigilant in the
discharge of their duties, lest complaints should be preferred to the
collector, who would speedily summon them to his court, and punish them
in a suitable manner.
However audacious the thieves, whether house-breakers, or collectors on
the highways, may be, they very rarely make an immediate attack on
Europeans. This, no doubt, proceeds from the sense they entertain of the
importance we attach to the safety of our countrymen, the murderer of
whom would be assuredly detected, and suffer the full sentence of the
law. Besides, all the people of Hindostan know, that, with the exception
of watches, which, for want of pawn-brokers, and accomplices skilled in
the melting of metals, are of no use to the predatory tribe, Europeans
never carry about with them any thing valuable. No gentleman ever has
money about him; though his servants sometimes have, in their waists, a
few rupees, intended for such disbursements as cannot be delayed without
inconvenience.
Hence, the boxes, &c., of gentlemen, are generally aimed at, because the
cash and valuables are contained in them; for the same reason, the most
confidential servants are most commonly selected as objects of attack.
Your true Hindostanee robber is, in general, very active, robust, and
capable of great deception: he will patrole about a tent, during a dark
night, in the manner of a dog, or of a jackal; the howl of which he can,
perhaps, imitate so well as to deceive the sentries, and throw them
completely off their guard.
If allowed to approach a tent, he will select that side where several
servants are asleep under the fly, or awning, and gradually insinuate
himself into the interior, either by passing under the walls, or between
the overlaps; if such cannot be easily effected, he draws his _choory_,
(knife,) which is sharpened for the occasion, and makes a slit in the
cloth, or canvas, large enough to pass his body through, when, in the
most cautious manner, and retaining his breath as much as possible, he
gropes about for those articles which, during the day-time, he had seen
deposited in some particular part of the tent, and, after making an
opening large enough for his purpose, or by opening one of the doors, he
watches the opportunity for escaping with his booty.
The attempt to seize a thief under such circumstances, is extremely
hazardous, and ought to be strongly reprehended. Being perfectly naked,
and having the body highly lubricated with oil, it is impossible to
grasp him in any part; while, on the other hand, he must be expected to
use his knife very freely, under the determination of escaping.
I recollect a curious circumstance that happened in 1783, at Bankypore,
when the tent of a staff-officer was entered, during the night, by a
fellow of this description, who, it being moon-light, and one part of
the tent only closed by a _cheek_, was discovered by the gentleman as he
lay in bed. Seeing his property on the move, he sprang up to disengage a
hog-spear that was tied up to that pole of the _marquee_ which was
nearest the bed; but the thief got the start of him, by seizing the
officer’s sword, which was suspended by a hook that buckled on to the
other pole. The adventurer being thus armed, prevented the gentleman
from getting possession of the spear: after one or two menacing
flourishes, he darted out of the tent, sword in hand, and was speedily
beyond the reach of pursuit.
Another very ludicrous circumstance occurred some years antecedent to
the above. A gentleman who inhabited a small _bungalow_, on the banks of
a river, and who was very ill of that complaint ‘the liver,’ for which
he was under a course of mercury, perceived, in the dusk of the evening,
a thief prowling about the apartment in which he was sitting. The fellow
was extremely industrious: and threw a number of articles, not even
sparing the bed-linen, out at a window that stood open. The gentleman
affected to take no notice, but resolved, when the thief should follow
his booty, to take him by surprize, while in the act of collecting them
from under the window.
This was, by no means, an imprudent resolution, as it appeared probable
that the rogue might be secured, at the same time that the property
should be recovered. At length, after having thrown out whatever was
convenient to his purpose, and having peeped out of the window, the
thief made suddenly towards the gentleman, and snatched from his head a
beautiful shawl, with which he skipped out of the window.