CHAPTER VI.
Nothing of any moment occurred during the rest of our march to Nagpoor,if I except the deaths of a few solitary travellers, who had fallen bythe hands of a small portion of the band who had been sent to anotherroad which ran parallel to the one on which we marched; and as I knowno particulars of them worth mentioning, I shall at once lead you,Sahib, to our encampment at Nagpoor. Outside the city is a large tank,on the margin of which the majority of the band encamped. My fatherand few others put up in the town, for the purpose of converting thebooty already obtained into money. It was not a difficult task, for asthe property which had belonged to Brij Lall was easily saleable, wesoon found purchasers among the numerous goldsmiths and sahoukars ofthe city. In one of his dealings with a sahoukar, my father casuallystated, that he was proceeding to Hyderabad with some men he hadbrought from his village, and for whom he was in hope of procuringemployment under, as he said, his brother, who was in the service ofthe then reigning prince Sikundur Jah. The Sahoukar at once proposed toaccompany us, and to give my father and his men a handsome remunerationif he would protect him on the road; as he had, he said, been for sometime on the look out for an opportunity to put himself under the escortof a respectable man who might be travelling there with a number offollowers.
At that time, Sahib, in consequence of the unsettled state ofthe country, and the many rumours there were of wars, any man ofrespectability, who was idle in his village, and could persuade a fewcompanions to accompany him as their leader, was sure of employment asa soldier, if he presented himself at any of the courts of Hindostanor the Dukhun. Sindea, Holkar, the Peshwah, every prince in fact, hada large army which was tolerably paid; and it was better to serve withthem, than to pursue any other occupation. We had met several bands ofsuch men on our road down to Nagpoor, so that our company presented noextraordinary or suspicious appearance, especially under my father,who looked like a soldier, was always well armed and dressed, rode afine horse, and on occasions of residing in, or even passing through acity, was always attended by a number of the Thugs as his escort; andhis appearance was certainly what he represented himself to be to theSahoukar. My father readily agreed to the Sahoukar's terms, and boundhimself down in a day or two afterwards to be at his disposal, and toafford him protection as far as Hyderabad. At a secret conference theyhad that day, the Sahoukar, as my father told me, informed him that hewas going to take down a good deal of treasure, some valuable jewelsand some merchandize, by which he hoped to get a handsome profit atHyderabad. Nay, he even went so far as to show him what he was going totake with him; and you cannot imagine, Sahib, the joy that was diffusedin our camp at the certainty of so rich a booty.
In order to give our band as much of the appearance of soldiers aspossible, my father purchased for those who had none, matchlocks,swords, and shields, and distributed them: and, in truth, when allthe men were drawn up to be examined, they were a fine-looking set offellows; for as this expedition had been considered one of extremeadventure, none but the youngest and most able-bodied had been selectedfor it. They were all informed of the agreement which had been madewith the Sahoukar, cautioned to put on as military and swaggering anair as possible, and, in short, to behave as soldiers would, during thepart of the journey they would have to appear as his escort.
This was in the evening, and during the night the camp was a sceneof jollity; the booty in view, nay, almost within their grasp, wassufficient to cheer them. A set of dancing girls was invited from thecity, and in listening to their songs the best part of the night waspassed. We expected the Sahoukar anxiously all the day, and just atnightfall he came to our camp in a small travelling cart, with one ortwo servants and two or three small ponies, on which a tent and hisbaggage were laden, and ten bullocks with their drivers. Altogether,there were eight men, including himself. We saw but little of himduring our march to Oomraotee; my father and Hoosein used sometimes tosit with him in his tent during the evening, and I was also introducedto him. He was a large, unwieldy man, and I began to think whether hewould not be a good subject for my first trial. I mentioned my thoughtsto my father, and he was much pleased with me.
"I had intended to have appointed you to be his Bhuttote," said he; "heis too fat to make any resistance, and he will be the easier work foryou, who have not as yet tried what you can do."
So from that time I looked upon him as my first victim. I daily went tomy instructor to gain fresh insight into my profession, and practisedthe handling of the cloth in every way he pointed out to me. He one dayproposed to inveigle a lonely traveller into our camp, in order thatI might try my hand upon him first; but I objected to this, as I feltconfident in my own powers, and was determined, as I had selected thesahoukar, that he should be the first man.
I pass over our journey, as nothing worth mentioning occurred on theroad. We arrived at the town, and took up our quarters in the bazar. Iwas much struck with its apparent opulence and prosperity; but it wasnot to be wondered at, as it was the place where all the merchandizeand manufactures of Hindostan were brought to be distributed over theDukhun, and where all the spices, drugs, and other articles of tradearrived from the south, to be sent to different parts of Hindostan. Thetown seemed to be full of sahoukars' houses and large shops; and in thebazars were displayed every article that I had ever heard of, besidesmany others from the Europeans at Bombay which I had never seen before;and I wandered about every day in company with my father, admiringand wondering at all I saw. The sahoukar's business detained him somedays at this place, at the end of which we again set forward, with anaddition to his people of three men, who drove a few bullocks heavilyladen with cloths, which we heard were of the most costly description,being those of Benares, which are justly celebrated for their richnessand beauty. Nor did this addition at all disconcert our plans, for inconsequence of the sahoukar having accompanied us, Hoosein's partystill remained; and, indeed, if it had not, there were plenty of myfather's to have secured the whole without trouble. From Oomraotee toMungloor is three stages, and "There," said my father, "I shall decideon a place for the ending of this matter. If I remember right, thereare some low hills and ravines not far beyond it, which will give usexcellent opportunities for concealing the bodies. And do you, Hoosein,inquire who among your men know the ground--for it will be necessary tosend some one who does, with the Lughaees."
Inquiries were accordingly made when we reached our first stage,a village named Baum, and it was discovered that three men wereintimately acquainted with the whole of the road, and had been onthe point of coming forward to recommend that one spot in particularshould not be neglected. They were closely questioned by my father andHoosein; and they gave a very clear description of a place which seemedto be so well fitted for the purpose, that it was at once determinedon, and the men promised extra reward if they would exert themselves.
I now felt that my time had come; that in a very few hours I might takemy place with the rest, having established my right to be their equal.Perhaps it was weakness, Sahib, but from that time I avoided the sightof the sahoukar as much as possible. I saw him once or twice on theroad; but an involuntary shudder crept through me, and, like a fool,I almost wished I were back again at our village. But it was too lateto retract; I had a character to gain, and the esteem of him who bestloved me, my father, to secure. To turn back was impossible, and toevince the smallest cowardice was to degrade myself irretrievably. Ihad therefore no resource but to do my best; and, in truth, when thesahoukar was not before me, I felt no reluctance to perform my part,but, on the contrary, the same desire I had before experienced todistinguish myself.
We reached Mungloor. It is a large town, full of Mahomedans, andcelebrated for the shrine of Meer Hyat Kalundur, a saint of greatantiquity. His tomb is held in particular veneration, and it was judgedhighly expedient that we should offer up our prayers for the success ofour enterprise. Accordingly, my father, myself, Hoosein, and some otherMahomedans went to the tomb, and having observed all the ceremoniesrequired and directed by the
attendant Moolas, we were sitting inconversation with two of them, when we discovered, by a casual signmade by my father to Hoosein, which was recognised by them that theywere Thugs! "Most extraordinary," thought I; "here are sacred ministersof our faith Thugs as well as ourselves." But after some conversationwith them, I could see that my father esteemed them lightly.
"These fellows can hardly be Thugs," said my father to Hoosein, as wedescended the steps of the shrine into the outer court, where many ofthe men had put up for the day, "and we had better caution the peopleagainst getting acquainted with them. I do not think they will noticeus further as it is, but they might do so did they know whom we hadwith us."
"You are right," said Hoosein; "it might perhaps be better were themen told not to disclose whom we have with us." They were accordinglycautioned: and it turned out that we had done right, as we heardafterwards that the Moolas were most inquisitive, and could notunderstand how it was that we had come so far and were going so muchfurther without an object; and I have no doubt had we not acted aswe did, and disclosed our intentions to, or asked for assistancefrom them, that they would have either betrayed us to the villageauthorities, or insisted on such a share of the spoil, which we darednot have refused, as would have materially lessened ours.
After prayers we returned to the place where we had put up, and founda man belonging to the Sahoukar waiting for us. He said his masterwould stay that evening where he was, with a friend, instead of comingoutside the village to our encampment, but that my father was to leavesome men with him as a guard; and that he would set out early in thenight, as he was determined to go on to Bassim, a town some distanceoff, where he had another friend, whom he wished to visit; that as itwas so long a march we must start early, so as to allow time for a haltfor refreshment at a village half way. My father did not like the ideaof sending the men into the village, lest they should be recognized asThugs by any of the Thug villagers; yet he could not but acquiesce, andsome were sent as soon as night closed in, that there might be hardly achance of their being known. In the meantime every preparation was madeby the party of gravediggers who were to precede us, and at nightfallthey also left the ground, fourteen in number, with the two who knewthe spot in company with them. They were confident as to the preciseplace they should fix on, and described the hills as little more thanlow mounds, caused by some high land breaking into ravines; that, ifthey remembered right, the road was very stony, and crossed by severalsmall streams, whose banks were lined by thick brushwood, and that inany one of these in which there might be no water, the bhil, or grave,should be prepared. They were also desired to place men in advance togive information, that we might all take our places, and fall on, whenthe signal was given.
It was now generally known to all that I was to have the Sahoukar tomyself, and many thronged about me to see how I looked forward to myfirst trial; every one cheered me, and I must own this gave me greatconfidence. As the time approached, my soul burned for the work likethat of a young and brave soldier to see the first flash of his brightsword in anger. My father enjoyed my demeanour in silent satisfaction;he spoke not, but there was exultation in his eye as he looked fondlyupon me, and I felt that I should not disappoint him. The whole bandseemed to be impressed particularly with the importance of the presentmatter, for they collected into groups, and though each man knewexactly what he had to do, and what was appointed for his comrade, yetthey seemed to be discussing the whole, till one by one they separated,and each stretched himself out to gain the little rest he could,before the time arrived which would call him into active, nay, deadlystrife,--my father and Hoosein too--all except myself. I was sittingoutside our slight tent, when Roop Singh came to me.
"Baba!" said he, as he sat down, "how feel you? is your heart firm andyour blood cool?"
"Both," said I: "nothing can change my heart; and feel my hand, is myblood hot?"
"No," said the old man, taking it in his; "it is not, nor does ittremble; this is as it should be. I have seen many prepare for theirfirst trial, but never one so coolly and calmly as you do; but this isall in consequence of the blessed Muntrus which have been read overyou, and the ceremonies you went through."
"Perhaps so," said I; "but I think I should have been much the samewithout them."
"Now, may Bhowanee forgive you, proud boy," he replied; "you know nottheir efficacy; was there ever a prouder being than I was,--a Rajpootby birth, and one of the purest tribes? Had I not slain wild beasts,or helped to slay them, from my childhood? but when a man was shownme, and the handkerchief alone put into my hands to destroy him with,indeed I trembled; nor was it for a long time that I could be broughtto attempt it. But," continued Roop Singh, "you have one more ceremonyto go through, which on no account must be neglected; go, call yourfather, Hoosein, and Bhudrinath, that they may be present."
We were all soon assembled, and the Gooroo led the way into anadjoining field. He stopped, and turning to the direction in which wewere to proceed, raised his hands in a supplicatory manner, and cried,"Oh Kalee! Maha Kalee! if the traveller now with us should die by thehand of this thy new votary, vouchsafe us the Thibaoo!"
All of us stood silently; and wonderful to relate, even at that latehour an ass brayed on the right hand. The Gooroo was overjoyed."There!" cried he to the others, "was there ever so complete anacceptation of a votary? The omen almost followed the prayer."
"Shookr Alla!" exclaimed my father, "it is now complete; he will goforth and conquer. There only remains for you to tie the knot."
"That I will do when we return," said the Gooroo; and when we reachedour encampment, he took my handkerchief, and untying the knot which hadbeen previously made, he retied it, placing a piece of silver in it.Presenting it to me, he said,--
"Receive this now sacred weapon; put your trust in it; in the holy nameof Kalee, I bid it do your will."
I received it in my right hand, and carefully tucked it into mywaistband, that I might not lose it, and that it might be ready foraction when required. We remained in conversation for some time andthen threw ourselves on our carpets to snatch a short rest, till oneof our men from the village came and told us that the Sahoukar waspreparing to move, and had sent him on to warn us. The band werequickly roused and our beasts laden, and we drew up by the side of theroad to await his arrival. He was not long in coming, and we all movedon together. The night was beautiful, the road excellent, and we pushedon in high spirits. The booty we were to possess, the tact with whichthe whole matter had been managed from the first, would mark it as anenterprise of a superior description, one that any one of us wouldbe proud to mention, and which would cause a considerable sensation,not only in the country, but among the numerous bands of Thugs ofHindostan, more especially those we were to rejoin at the conclusion ofour season.
We had proceeded about two coss, when there was a murmur among the menwho led, and one of the scouts was an instant afterwards seen makinghis way to where we were. My father recognized him as one of those hehad sent on. "Bhilla manjeh?" [have you cleared the hole?] he eagerlyinquired.
"Manjeh!" said the man; "it is cleared, and it is all ready. See youyon low hills? A streamlet, as I told you, runs from them; and it is arare bhil that we have made, Jemadar Sahib. You will say we have donewell."
"And how far may it be?" demanded my father.
"About half a coss," said the man; "a short distance from hence theroad becomes stony, and continues so till you are above the pass--takeadvantage of it;" and he fell in among the others.
The men were silently warned to be at their posts, and each man,or two men, as it was necessary, placed himself close to the oneto whom he had been assigned. By designed obstructions in front,the bullocks belonging to the Sahoukar, with their attendants, werebrought immediately about the cart in which he rode, and the wholebeing gathered into one place, were the easier to be secured. Thepreparations again roused me, and I grasped the handkerchief firmly,thinking every moment that the signal was about to be made; but westill crept on at a slow pace, fo
r the road was narrow and lined bythorny bushes; and the men in front proceeding as slowly as possible,we were kept exactly in our proper place, and expected every moment toreach the spot.
As we approached the small hills, the jungle became pretty thick, andappeared doubly so by the moonlight, and we passed many places whereI thought the deed might have been done with advantage. But I waswrong, for the Lughaes had selected an admirable one. A man came fromthe front, whispered a few words to my father, and again went on: thisincreased my anxiety. We crossed a small hollow, ascended a bank, andbelow us I saw what I was sure was the place. The banks of the rivuletwere high and steep, covered with thick underwood matted by trailingcreepers. A few higher trees nearly met over its bed, in which could bejust discerned a small thread of water, looking like a silver snake asthe moon's rays fell on it through the dark foliage. A hundred thievesmight lie there, thought I; and who could ever know the fate of atraveller who might so easily be surprised in such a spot? I was rousedfrom my train of thought by my father, as he called out "Hooshiaree!"[caution]. This was the preparatory signal. He went to the side of thecart, and represented to the Sahoukar that we had reached the stream,and that the bank was so steep, and the bed so stony, that he must getout and walk over to the other side, if no further. This was quitesufficient: the man got out, and after seeing the cart safely down thesteep bank was preparing to follow himself.
The whole scene is now before me. The bullocks and their drivers,with the Thugs, were all in a confused group in the bed of the littlestream, the men shouting and urging on their beasts: but it was easyto see that every man had a Thug close to him awaiting the signal.They were only a few feet below us and the stream was so narrow thatit was with some difficulty all could stand in its bed, especiallywhen the cart reached the bottom. Above stood my father, Hoosein,and myself,--the Sahoukar, one of his servants, and several otherThugs. I was eagerly waiting the signal; I tightly grasped the fatalhandkerchief, and my first victim was within a foot of me! I wentbehind him as being preferable to one side, and observed one of theother Thugs do the same to a servant. The Sahoukar moved a step or twotowards the road--I instinctively followed him--I scarcely felt thatI stirred, so intensely was I observing him. "Jey Kalee!" shouted myfather: it was the signal, and I obeyed it!
As quick as thought the cloth was round his neck--I seemed enduedwith superhuman strength--I wrenched his neck round--he struggledconvulsively for an instant, and fell. I did not quit my hold, I kneltdown on him, and strained the cloth till my hand ached; but he movednot--he was dead! I quitted my hold, and started to my feet: I was madwith excitement!--my blood boiled, and I felt as though I could havestrangled a hundred others, so easy, so simple had the reality been.One turn of my wrists had placed me on an equality with those who hadfollowed the profession for years,--I had taken the first place in theenterprise, for I had killed the principal victim! I should receive thepraise of the whole band, many of whom, I was confident, had looked onme as only a child. I was roused from my reverie by my father.
"You have done well," he said in a low and kind voice; "you willreceive the reward of this soon; now follow me, we will go to thegrave. Ere this the bodies have been collected, and I myself must seethat they are properly disposed of. There will be a noise about thisbusiness, and it will need great exertion for us to get out of the roadwe are now travelling."
I followed him. We descended into the bed of the stream, and were ledto the grave by one of the men; others bearing the body of the Sahoukarfollowed. We passed up the bed of the stream for a short distance; andnear the mouth of a small nulla, the bed of which was dry, a number ofthe men were standing.
"The grave?" asked my father.
"It is up there," said one; "you will have to creep, and the thorns arevery bad."
"It matters not," he replied; and we entered the place.
The banks of the rivulet were perhaps two or three yards high, andthe bed was so narrow that but two persons could advance abreast.The creepers and trees were matted overhead, and the sides so thickthat it was impossible that any one could have got down from above.The tangled character of the spot increased as we proceeded, until itbecame necessary to free our clothes from the thorns which caught us atevery step. In a few moments we heard the sound of voices, and aftercreeping almost on all fours through a hole which had apparently beenforced through the underwood, we came upon the grave. There was onlyone; it occupied almost the entire breadth of the stream; it was verydeep, and the earth, or rather sand, had been thrown out on each end.The Lughaees were sitting there, sharpening stakes cut from the jungle;but they could scarcely be seen from the darkness of the place, whichthe thick wood above only partially allowed the moonbeams to penetrate.They were conversing in a low tone in the slang of the band, which Ihad not learned: my father spoke to them, or rather to their leader.
"You have had your wits about you," he said; "and we will think wellof you when we make the distribution: this is a grave that even ajackal could not discover. Again I say, Peer Khan, you have done thisproperly; and it is well I have seen it that I may speak of you as youdeserve. But you must be quick--the night advances."
"It is finished, Khodawund," replied the man; "we do but wait foranother body, which they say is coming, and the filling up will be doneimmediately." As he spoke, the body of the Sahoukar was brought up bythree men, who railed at it for its weight.
"It is their wont," he said; "do not speak to them--only watch whatthey do; for you must see all, that you may be fully acquainted withyour duties." I was silent. The corpse was dragged to the brink andthrown in, as also that of the servant who had been killed close to theSahoukar; incisions were made in their abdomens, and sharpened stakesdriven through them.
"Were it not for the precaution you see," said my father, "the groundmight swell, and the jackals would drag out the bodies; in this way,however, it is impossible."
When all was finished, quantities of stones, which had been collected,were thrown upon the bodies; afterwards thorns; and the whole wascovered up with sand, which was carefully smoothed. "I think this willdo, Jemadar Sahib," said Peer Khan; "we may now leave the place. It isnot likely that any one will come here to look for the Sethjee or hispeople; and the Sahib-zada has seen how cleverly we have done our work."
"Enough," said I, "I shall know how to act as a Lugha myself, shouldI ever need it." My father beckoned me to follow him. I stayed to seesome dry sand thrown over the place, and proceeded with the others.The hole in the underwood made by us was closed up with great care;and a branch of a bush being broken off, and trailed after him by thehindmost man, obliterated every footmark in the dry sand of the nulla.
Confessions of a Thug Page 7