When we returned we had a good laugh over our success. The adventure
was novel to us all, and we pictured to ourselves the mortification
and chagrin of the robbers, when they should arrive, at finding their
stronghold plundered of all its valuables, and their friends lying dead
at the threshold, instead of being ready to receive them and recount
their adventures of the evening. As a better place of security, I took
the jewels and silver vessels I had found to our house, and locked them
up in the strong-room, to be disposed of afterwards as best they might
be. My father, I need not say, was overpowered with joy, and every new
feat that I performed seemed to render me more dear to him. He caressed
me as though I had still been a child.
"Wait till these actions are known in Hindostan, my son," said he, with
enthusiasm; "I am much mistaken indeed if they do not raise you to a
rank which has been attained by few, that of Subadar."
I did not reply to him, but I made an inward determination to venture
everything to attain it. I was aware that nothing but a very successful
expedition, coupled with large booty and a deed of some notoriety and
daring, could raise me to the rank my father had mentioned; but that it
could be attained I had no doubt, since others had reached it before
me;--and why should not I, whose whole soul was bent upon winning fame
through deeds which men should tremble to hear. Two days after our
adventure at the robbers' cave, the whole of the Karwan and adjacent
neighbourhood were thrown into great excitement from the discovery
of the dead bodies by their smell and the number of vultures they
attracted. Various were the conjectures as to the perpetrators of the
violent deed, and many attributed it to the treachery of some of the
band of robbers; however, all agreed that a great benefit had been done
by unknown agents. Much of the stolen property was recovered; among it
was some of great value which had been stolen from a sahoukar a short
time before, and which in our hurry and confusion had escaped us; but,
as it was, we had got a considerable booty. All the gold and silver was
secretly melted into lumps by one of our men who understood how to do
it, and it was valued by weight at upwards of seven thousand rupees.
On a general division of the proceeds of the booty being proposed,
which amounted in a gross sum, by the sale of the camels, horses,
bullocks, carts, and various valuables, to about fifty thousand
rupees, all the Thugs agreed that it had better be reserved until the
return of the expedition to our village; and meanwhile twenty rupees
were disbursed to each inferior, and fifty to each jemadar, for
their present wants. My father now talked of leaving the city; but I
entreated a further stay of ten days, as, in concert with Bhudrinath
and Surfuraz Khan, I had laid out a plan for dividing our gang into
four portions, one to take post on each side of the city, and to
exercise our vocation separately, the proceeds to be deposited as
collected in one place, and to be divided when we could no longer carry
on our work.
The plan was favourably received by him, and that day it was put into
execution. We paid the trifling rent of our house, and on the pretence
that we were about to leave the city and return to Hindostan, quitted
the Karwan and took up our quarters on the other side, in a suburb
which bordered upon the Meer Joomla tank. Bhudrinath and his party
went into the Chuddar Ghat bazar, near the magnificent mansion of the
Resident, as, being a grand thoroughfare, it was frequented by numerous
travellers, and from thence branched off many roads, both to the north
and east. Surfuraz Khan with eight men continued at the Karwan, as he
was less known than we were. Another larger party took post on the
western road from the city towards Shumshabad, under Peer Khan and
Motee-ram, who were resolved by their exertions to merit the trust
which had been confided to them.
Our plan succeeded wonderfully; not a day passed in which the
destruction of several parties was not reported, and though the booty
gained was inconsiderable, yet it was probably as much as we could
expect, and it was all collected and deposited in our new abode, from
whence my father disposed of such as met a ready sale. I pass over my
own share in these little affairs. I had thought, when I selected the
quarter I did, that there would have been more work than turned out to
be the case; I was disappointed in the small share which fell to my
lot, in despite of my utmost exertions to the contrary, and entreated
Bhudrinath or Surfuraz Khan to exchange places with me; they however
would not; they had laid their own plans, and as I had myself selected
my station I had no right to any other, nor ought I to have been
dissatisfied. It was very early in the morning of the eighth day after
we had commenced operations, that Bhudrinath came to me in great alarm.
"We must fly," said he; "the city is no longer safe for us."
"How?" I asked in astonishment; "what has happened? Has aught been
discovered, or have any of the band proved faithless and denounced us?"
"I will tell you," replied Bhudrinath; "it is a sad affair--some of our
best men are taken and in confinement. You know Surfuraz Khan to be
daring, far beyond the bounds of discretion, and that for this reason
few hitherto have liked to trust themselves to his guidance; and but
for this fault he would ere now have been one of our leading jemadars,
for he is a Thug by descent of many generations, and his family has
always been powerful."
"But the matter," cried I, impatiently; "what in the name of Shitan
have we to do with his ancestors? By Alla! you are as bad as a----"
"Nay, I was not going to make a story about it," said Bhudrinath,
mildly, for nothing could provoke him, "so do not lose your temper;
but listen. Surfuraz Khan then yesterday evening had got hold of
two sahoukars, who were on the eve of departure for Aurungabad; he
persuaded them to put up in the serai with him, and they were to start
the next morning. They were supposed to be rich, as their effects in
two panniers were brought into the serai, and carefully watched by
them. By some unlucky chance, just as the evening set in, they were
visited by two or three other merchants whom they seemed to know, and
who persuaded them to wait for another week, and to join them in their
journey up the country. To the extreme mortification of Surfuraz Khan
they agreed to the proposal; but as they said there would be danger in
removing their bags from the serai at night, they told their friends
they would sleep there, and join them in the morning. Surfuraz Khan,
I hear, made every exertion by persuasion to induce them to alter
their determination, but in vain. So you know there remained but one
alternative, which was to put them to death in the serai, and to
dispose of the bodies as well as they could; besides, the circumstance
of the men being afraid to risk their bags by removal at night, looked
as though they were of value. I must own, Meer Sahib, it was tempting;
it would even have been so for you or me,--how much more for the Khan!
Had he even waited till towards morning, done the business, and
started, leaving the bodies where they were, he could have got clean
off with the booty, which was large, and he could have come round the
back of the city and joined you or me; any one of us could have taken
his post in the Karwan, and no one would have been at all suspicious.
But no, he did not reflect; the men were killed almost immediately
after their friends left, and their bags plundered: as it is, we have
got some of the spoil in the shape of two strings of pearls, but the
best are gone."
"And how was the matter discovered? you have not said."
"Why," continued Bhudrinath, "one of the sahoukars' friends shortly
after returned with a message; Surfuraz Khan made some excuse that
they had gone out, but would soon return. The fellow waited for a long
time; but at last growing suspicious he went away, and returned with
the others, who insisted upon a search for their friends. Surfuraz Khan
had contrived to bury the bodies in the yard, but some articles were
found on his person which the others positively swore to, as also the
bags in which they had been; and the upshot of the whole was, that they
were all marched off to the city by a guard which was summoned from
somewhere or other for the purpose, except one of them, by name Himmat
Khan, one of Surfuraz's own people, who happened to be absent."
"It is a sad business truly," said I, "and I do not exactly see what is
to be done to extricate them."
"Nor I," replied Bhudrinath; "but this evil comes of not taking the
omens, nor attending properly to them when they are taken."
"Nonsense," said I; "you are always prating about these foolish omens,
as if success lay more in them than in stout hearts and cunning plans.
I believe them not."
"You will rue it then one day or other," said Bhudrinath; "depend upon
it you will rue it; I tell you I could mention a hundred instances of
the disastrous effects of disregard of omens, and what I say will be
readily confirmed by your father."
"Pooh," said I, "he is as superstitious and absurd as yourself; why do
you not make your lamentations on my want of faith to him, instead of
troubling me with them?"
"I would," he replied, "but that he seems to have given over the charge
of the whole expedition to you, and to have forgotten his station as
the leader and conductor. Did any one ever hear of a whole band being
separated, and each pursuing a separate course, without the omens being
taken, or a solemn sacrifice offered to Bhowanee?"
"I thought that you had performed all the rites you seem to think so
necessary," said I, sneeringly; "and if you have not, to whom else
have we to look but to you, who are the Nishan-burdar? By Alla and his
Prophet! Bhudrinath, methinks you have deceived us all; and," said I,
my anger rising, "I bid you beware how you speak of my father as you
have done; remember that I am able and willing to avenge any word which
may be spoken against him, and I will do it."
"Young man," said Bhudrinath, gravely, "you well know me to be one who
never enters into idle brawls or quarrels, and these angry words of
yours are wasted; keep them, I pray you, for those who will gratify
you by taking offence at them--to me they are trifles. Your placing
no dependence upon the omens which have been considered by Thugs
both of your faith and mine to be essential to our success, is only
attributable to your inexperience; the necessary offerings have been
neglected by us, and behold the punishment. Though at present it has
fallen lightly upon us, there is no saying how soon the whole of us may
be in danger; suppose any of those taken are put to the torture and
denounce us, how could we escape?"
"Then what do you counsel?" said I.
"I would first propose an offering to Bhowanee, and then such measures
for the deliverance of those who have been seized as may be hereafter
determined on by us all."
"Perform the ceremonies by all means," said I; "you and my father know
how to do so; my ignorance might mar your object, so I will keep away
from you till they are over."
"You are right, it might--and I am glad to hear you at length speak
reasonably; where is your father?"
"You will find him asleep within," said I, "and you had better go to
him."
Sahib, the sacrifices were made, the omens watched, and declared to be
favourable. What they were I know not; I cared so little about these
ceremonies then, that I did not go near them, or even ask what had
been done. It was only in after days that their value and importance
were impressed upon me by a series of misfortunes, which were no doubt
sent to check my presumption; since then my faith in them has been
steadfast, as you shall hereafter learn. My father and Bhudrinath
returned to me with joyful countenances. "Bhowanee is propitious," said
they, "in spite of this little display of her anger: the truth is, we
had in some manner neglected her, but she is now satisfied."
"Since that is the case," said I, "we had better be stirring and doing
something for the poor fellows; but what to do I know not. When did you
say they were seized, Bhudrinath?"
"About the middle of the night."
"Then they are now in confinement somewhere or other, and it will be
impossible to effect their release by day; a bribe I dare not offer,
for they say Hussein Ali Khan, the Kotwal, is an upright man. When is
it likely they will be brought before him?"
"I know not," said Bhudrinath, "but it can easily be ascertained,"--and
he went into the street, and soon returned; "I asked an old Bunnea the
question, or rather at what time the Kotwal held his durbar, and he
told me in the first and second watches of the night."
"Then," said I, "they must be rescued by force, and I will do it."
"Impossible!" cried both at once.
"But I tell you I will do it," said I; "where is Himmat Khan? with him
and six of our best men I will do it, if they will stand by me. Do any
of them know the Kotwal's house?"
They were summoned, but none knew it. "Then," said I, "I will go even
now and find it out, and will return when my plan is perfected."
"And I will go and bring some of my men," said Bhudrinath; "I will be
back by noon."
"See that they bring their swords and shields, Bhudrinath; some of them
may volunteer to accompany me."
"I will do so for one, Meer Sahib; I have confidence in you in spite of
your want of faith,"--and he laughed.
"I understand you," said I; "you forgive me?"
"Certainly; did I ever quarrel with you?"
"No, indeed, though you had cause; I was foolish."
"Why, what is all this?" said my father; "you have not surely been
offended with each other?"
"It is nothing," I replied, "for you see the end of it: but I am losing
time, I must depart."
I went into the city, and easily got a person to show me the Kotwal's
habitation. It was in a long, narrow street, which did not appear
much of a thoroughfare. This exactly suited my purpose, for we could
have done little in a crowded place. It seemed very practicable to
surprise the men who should escort our friends, and I had no doubt, if
suddenly attacked, they would scamper off, and leave their prisoners to
their fate. I returned, and laid the result of my inquiries before my
father. He was not averse to the undertaking, but was in much alarm at
the prominent part I should have to play, and the chance of our being
defeated.
"But," said he, "my son, these thoughts are the cowardly ones which
affection often suggests, and Alla forbid they should have any effect
with you; go, in the name of the Prophet, to whose protection I commend
you."
Towards evening, therefore, myself, Bhudrinath, and six others,
two of whom were Rajpoots, who swore to die rather than come back
unsuccessful, went into the city. We separated, but kept in view
of each other, and they all followed me to the street in which the
Kotwal resided. There we lounged about for some hours, and I grew
very impatient. Would they ever come? had they even before this been
tried, condemned, and cast into prison? were questions I asked myself a
thousand times. That the durbar was being held I knew by the number of
persons who went in and came out of the house, but still there was no
sign of our brethren.
I was sitting listlessly in the shop of a Tumbolee, almost the only
one in the street, when Himmat Khan came up to me. I saw by his face
that he had news, and descended from the chubootra, upon which the man
exposed his goods, and turned round a dark corner. "They come," said
he, panting for breath from anxiety; "I have been watching one end of
the street, and Khoseal Sing the other: they are coming by my end, and
will be now about half-way up."
"And by whom are they guarded?" I asked.
"Oh," said he, "a parcel of Line-wallas--about twenty soldiers with old
muskets; we could cut through a hundred of them."
"Have they their bayonets fixed?" I inquired.
"They have; but what of that? they are cowardly rascals, and, you will
see, will run away."
"Then," said I, "run and tell Bhudrinath, who is yonder; tell him to
walk down that side, I will go down this; when we are near them I will
give the jhirnee."
My four men had now joined me, as I told them to do if they saw me
speak to any one; Bhudrinath was joined by his, and by Khoseal Sing,
who had given up his watch at the other end, and arrived at the
critical moment. Our parties proceeded down the street exactly opposite
to each other. I thought not of danger, though it was the first time I
had ever drawn a sword in anger against a fellow-creature, and I was
about to precipitate myself into what might be a sudden and desperate
combat. Our shields apparently hung loosely and easily on our arms, but
they were tightly grasped, and our swords were free in their scabbards.
I saw the party approach--they marched carelessly; and had not the arms
of my companions been tightly bound, and the whole tied together by a
rope, which the leader of the party held in his hand, they might have
easily escaped.
Our men joined together in the middle of the street, and when we were
close to the coming party, I cried, in a loud tone, "Bahee Pan lao!" It
was the signal--our swords flashed from their scabbards, and we threw
ourselves on the sepoys. I cut right and left, and two men fell; the
others were as successful: I rushed to the prisoners, and a few strokes
of my sword, and of those who were nearest, cut their bonds, and they
were free. As Himmat Khan had said, the whole of the sepoys fled on the
instant of the attack.
"Fly to the gates, my brothers, or they will be shut!" I cried; "fly
through these narrow, dark streets; no one will know who you are, nor
trouble themselves about you."
We all dispersed in an instant. I cast a hurried look around me as I
returned my bloody sword into its scabbard, and saw five poor wretches
lying on the ground and groaning. It was enough: I, too, fled down the
nearest street which offered, reached the gate I had entered by, and
when I got on the embankment of the Meer Joomla tank, I plunged among
the gardens and inclosures which are below it, and by the various lanes
which led through them soon reached my father's house. The attack on
the escort of the prisoners, Sahib, was so sudden, and over so quickly,
that I can give you but a faint idea how soon it was made and finished:
it occupied less time than I have taken to tell it; and I have often
wondered since, that the noise and confusion, not only caused by us,
but by a few passengers who witnessed the fray, did not alarm the whole
street, and cause the inhabitants to rise on us.
By morning all our companions were present at the different places of
rendezvous; but thinking we were no longer safe about the city, my
father sent them all out of the way to the camp at Hassain Sagor, where
he bid them wait, for we knew that it would never be searched for us.
Nothing now remained to detain us, but to dispose of the plunder we had
gained during the last ten days, and there was none of much value; a
few strings of pearls, several shawls, and some unset precious stones,
were the best, and they were soon sold: the gold and silver, as before,
had been melted down.