Confessions of a Thug

by Meadows Taylor

  CONCLUSION.

  Saugor, I have said, lay directly in our route, and we reached avillage close to it on the evening of a day of severe travel. We werefatigued already, but the town was now so close to us that we did nothesitate to push on, and we arrived at the well-known spot shortlyafter dark. Selecting an empty shed in as lonely a part of the townas we could, we cooked a hasty meal and lay down, determined to risebefore dawn and again pursue our journey. One of our number was setto watch ere we retired to rest, and we depended upon him to give uswarning, should any suspicious person be observed.

  The night passed, and I arose, roused my followers, and long before dayhad dawned we were beyond the gates of the town. "See," said I to myfriend, "our much-dreaded danger is past; we are now again on our way,and we shall leave this spot at least ten coss behind us before noon;beyond that there is nothing to fear, and we shall travel with lighthearts." Alas! I spoke as my sanguine hope prompted me to do; but itwas not fated to be as we thought. Again treachery had been at work,and when I conceived I possessed a band free from all suspicion, twotraitors, as I afterwards heard, had already laid a deep plan for myapprehension. Of this, however, I will tell you hereafter; you are nowwith me on the road, and you see us urging our course with the utmostspeed.

  Already had we lost sight of the town, and before us was a broadwell-beaten road, which I well remembered; yet I feared so public aroute, and determined to strike off into a by-path as soon as I couldsee one which diverged in the direction we were going. We might haveproceeded a coss or two perhaps, and the day was now beginning todawn; a nulla was before us at a short distance, and as none of us hadwashed before leaving the town, I proposed that we should perform ourablutions there, the better to enable us to sustain the fatigue of thestage before us; my proposal was agreed to, and when we reached therunning stream, one and all ungirded their loins and sat down by thewater. We had not been engaged thus for more than a few minutes when asudden rush was made upon us by a number of horse and foot soldiers,who must have been lying in wait for us on the road we were to travel.

  I had left my weapons at some little distance from the water, and myfirst impulse was to endeavour to possess myself of them; but in thisI was foiled. Two of my own men threw themselves upon me and held me,and as I vainly struggled to free myself, some foot-soldiers seized me.I was thrown down and bound. The surprise was most complete. A few ofmy band drew their swords, and some blows were exchanged between themand the party who had come upon us, and a few of my Thugs were wounded;but we were all overpowered, and the whole affair was concluded in lesstime than it requires to relate it; only a few of my men escaped.

  Bitterly did I upbraid the men who had prevented my getting at myweapons. Had I but possessed them, Ameer Ali would never have beentaken alive; I would have sold my life dearly, Sahib, and sooner thanhave been seized I would have plunged my sword into my heart, and endeda life which had no charms for me, and which I only wished to prolongto wreak vengeance on mankind, the source of all my misery.

  As I reviled them, they mocked and jeered at me. "Where is now yourjourney to Calcutta, O Meer Sahib?" said one; "behold, the long travelis saved thee, and thou art returning to Saugor to live in a fine houseand to keep company with many old friends who are in it." "Yes," saidthe other, "the Jemadar's day is past, and his wit deserted him when hemust needs approach the den of the tiger, as if he would not be smeltout! Why didst thou come to Saugor, O Jemadar? Hadst thou forgottenthe promise of reward and free pardon which was offered for thyapprehension? Truly we have done a good deed," said he to the other,"and the Sahib-logue will be pleased with us."

  But their idle talk was silenced by the leader of the party, who warnedthem to be careful, and not to boast, lest their expectations shouldnot be realized; and they shrunk behind, unable to bear the glances ofscorn and contempt which were cast on them by all; by _all_, I say, foreven the soldiers who had seized us cursed the means of their successfor having been treacherous and unfaithful to the salt they had eaten.

  And thus in bitter agony of spirit, and indulging vain regrets at mysenseless imprudence in approaching Saugor, they led me, bound andguarded, by the road I had just travelled, free then as the morningbreeze which played on me. For the third time I was a prisoner, and nowI saw no hope; I had retained some on each of the former occasions,but it all vanished now. Then I was young, and a young heart is alwaysbuoyant and self-comforting; but the fire of my spirit had long beenquenched, and it was only in the wild excitement of a life of continualadventure and unrestrained freedom, when I resembled what I hadformerly been, that it rekindled within me. Death, too, was now beforeme; for I knew the inexorable laws of the Europeans, and that no mercywas shown to Thugs of any grade,--how much less to me for whom a rewardhad been offered! It was a bitter thought. I should be hung--hung likea dog! I who ought to have died on a battle-field! _there_ death wouldhave been sweet, and followed by an everlasting Paradise. Alas! eventhis hope deserted me now, and I felt that the load of crime with whichmy soul was oppressed would weigh me down into hell.

  Who can describe the myriad thoughts which crowd into the heart atsuch a moment? One by one they hurry in, each striving to displace theforegoing--none staying for an instant,--till the brain reels under theconfusion. It was thus with me. I walked mechanically, surrounded bythe soldiers, vainly striving to collect my wandering senses to sustainme in the coming scene--the scene of death; for I verily believed Ishould be led to instant execution. Why should the mockery of a trialbe given to one so steeped in crime as I was?

  A short time after our arrival at the town, I was conducted, closelyguarded, to the officer who was employed by the English government toapprehend Thugs. A tall, noble-looking person he was, and from thesevere glance he cast on me I thought my hour was come, and that erenight I should cease to exist. I had prepared myself, however, for theworst; I saw no pity in his stern countenance, and I confess I trembledwhen he addressed me.

  "So, you are Ameer Ali, Jemadar," said he, "and at last you are in mypower; know you aught of the accusations against you, and wherefore youare here? Read them," he continued to an attendant Moonshee, "read thelist which has been drawn up; yonder villain looks as though he woulddeny them."

  The man unfolded a roll of paper written in Persian, and read acatalogue of crime, of murders, every one of which I knew to be true;a faithful record it was of my past life, with but few omissions. Alladefend me! thought I, there is no hope; yet still I put a bold face onthe matter.

  "The proof, Sahib Bahadur," said I; "you English are praised for yourjustice, and long as that list is of crimes I never before heardof, you will not deny me a fair hearing and the justice you give tothousands."

  "Surely not; whatever your crimes may be, do not fear that your caseshall be inquired into. Call the approvers," said he to an attendant;"bring them in one by one, and the Jemadar shall hear what they havetold me about him."

  The first man who entered was an old associate of mine in former days,before my misfortunes commenced: he had been with me in the expeditionjust before my father had been put to death by the Rajah of Jhalone,which I have minutely described to you; and he related the whole, fromthe murder of the Moonshee and his child, down to the last event,the destruction of the pearl-merchant. His story took a long time inrelating; and the whole was so fresh in my recollection, and he was soexact and true in its details, that I could not answer a word, nor puta single question to shake his testimony. In conclusion, he referredthe officer to the Rajah of Jhalone for corroboration of the whole,and he appealed to me to declare whether aught he had said was false."Not only," said he, "do you know, Meer Sahib, that it is all true, butthere are others as well as myself who can speak to these facts; andknow, moreover, that many graves have been opened, and the remains ofyour victims have been disinterred."

  "Say _yours_ as well as mine," I replied, thrown completely off myguard at last, and nettled by the emphasis he had placed on the words"your victims." "You had as much to do with them as mysel
f; besides,did you not aid that villain Ganesha when I would have saved the childof the Moonshee?"

  "He has confessed!" cried many voices.

  "Silence!" said the officer; "let no one dare to speak. Do you know,Ameer Ali, what you have said? Are you aware that you have admitted youare a Thug?"

  "It is useless now to attempt to recall my words," said I, doggedly;"make the most of them, for after this you shall wring no more fromme--no, not by the most horrible tortures you can inflict."

  The examination, however, proceeded. Others were brought forward whohad known me, or been connected with me, in Thuggee, and at last thosewho had earned the reward of the government by betraying me. They hadbeen associated with me for the last two years, and they related whatI had done, and where the bodies of the murdered were lying. Afterthis was finished, and all the depositions recorded, I was remanded toprison; and the better to secure me, I was not only loaded with irons,but confined in a cell by myself.

  After many days, which elapsed without my being sent for, and when Ihad concluded that my fate was decided, the Moonshee whom I had seen inthe court, with a Jemadar of Nujeeb's, and two of the approvers, cameto me. "Ameer Ali," said the first, "we are sent by the Sahib Bahadurto tell you of your fate."

  "I can guess it," said I--"I am to suffer with the rest. Well! many agood Thug has thus died before me, and you shall see that Ameer Alifears not death."

  "You have guessed rightly," said the Moonshee, "there is no hope foryou: your final trial will come on in a day or two; and there is suchan array of facts against you, and the accounts from the Rajah ofJhalone so entirely agree with the statements of all the approvers,that it is impossible you can escape death--or, if you do escape it,nothing can save you from the Kala Panee."

  "Death!" cried I--"death at once! Ah, Moonshee! you have influence withmy judges--you can prevent my being sent away over the far sea, neverto behold my country more, and to linger out the remnant of my daysin a strange land condemned to work in irons. These hands have neverbeen used to labour; how shall I endure it? Death is, indeed, welcome,compared with the Kala Panee."

  "But why should it be either, Meer Sahib?" asked the Jemadar; "yourlife or death is in your own hands: these men will tell you how theyare treated by the master they serve, and you may be like them if youare wise."

  "Never!" cried I; "never shall it be said of Ameer Ali that he betrayedan associate."

  "Listen, Kumbukht!" said the Moonshee; "we are not come to useentreaties to one who deserves to die a thousand deaths, to one whosename is a terror to the country; you are in our power, and there is noaverting your fate: an alternative is offered, which you may acceptor not as you please; no force is used, no argument shall be wastedon you. Say at once, will you live and become an approver like therest,--have good clothes to wear and food to eat, and be treated withconsideration,--or wilt you die the death of a dog? Speak, my time isprecious, and I have no orders to bandy words with you."

  "Accept the terms, Ameer Ali," said both the approvers; "do not be afool, and throw your last chance of life away!"

  I mused for a moment: what was life to me? should it ever be saidthat Ameer Ali had become a traitor, and, for the sake of a dailypittance of food and the boon of life, had abandoned his professionand assisted to suppress it? No, I would die first, and I told them so."Begone!" said I; "take this message to your employer,--that the soulof Ameer Ali is too proud to accept his offer, and that he scorns it.Death has no terrors for him; yet shame, everlasting shame has!"

  They left me, and I mused over my lot. I was to die; that wasdetermined. Did I fear death? not at first; I looked at the transitionas one that would lead me to eternal joys--to Paradise--to my fatherand Azima. But as I thought again and again, other reflections crowdedon my spirit: I was to die, but how? not like a man or a soldier, butlike a miserable thief, the scorn of thousands who would exult in mydying struggles; and then I remembered those of the wretch who had beenhung before my eyes when Bhudrinath was with me, and I pictured tomyself the agony he must have suffered ere life was extinct--the shameof the death--the ignominy which would never leave my memory. All theseweighed heavily on me. On the other hand was life--one of servitude itwas true, but still it was life; I should be protected, and I mightonce more perhaps be free, if the Europeans relented towards me, and Idid them faithful service.

  Thus I debated with myself for many days; at last I was warned that mytrial would come on the next day; it was clearly the crisis of my fate,and, I must confess it, the fear of the horrible death of hanging, thedread of the Kala Panee, and the advice of the Moonshee, caused myresolutions of dying with the rest to give way to a desire of life.Ganesha too crossed my thoughts: I can revenge myself now, thought I,and his death will not lie at my door. I knew too how earnestly hiscapture was desired, and that I alone could tell where he was to befound, and of his probable lurking-places in case he ever escaped fromus. My determination was made, and I requested that the Moonshee whohad formerly spoken with me on the subject might be sent for. He came,and I told him at once that I was willing to accept the alternative hehad offered.

  "Ah! you speak like a wise man now," said he, "and if you exertyourself in the service you have embraced, and prove yourself faithfuland trustworthy, you may rely upon it, indulgences, as far as canbe granted to a person in your condition, will be allowed to youhereafter: but you must first deserve them, for with the Europeansnothing goes by favour."

  "I am ready," I replied; "point out what I am to do, and you will findthat Ameer Ali can be true to the salt he eats."

  "Then come, it is still early, and I will take you at once to theCourt, there you will receive your instructions."

  My prison irons were struck off, and a light steel rod with a ringattached to it fastened about my right leg, so that it left me atperfect liberty to walk, but not to run, and I was duly admitted asan approver, under the threat of instant execution in case I everneglected my duty, failed to give information where I really possessedit, or abused in any way the confidence which had been reposed in me.

  "Know you aught of Ganesha?" said the officer to me.

  "I do, Sahib Bahadur," I replied, "I know him well; you have offered areward for him as you did for me, and yet you know not that, even atthis moment, he is within a few coss of Saugor."

  "Can you guide my people to him?" he asked. "Remember, this is thefirst matter with which you are intrusted, and I need not say that Irequire you to use your utmost intelligence in it. Ganesha is wary, andhas hitherto evaded every attempt which has been made to apprehend him."

  "I will undertake it," I exclaimed. "It is possible he does not knowof my capture; and if you will give me six of your own men, I willdisguise them, and pledge myself to bring him to you; and not only him,but Himmut, who is I know with him."

  "Ha!" cried the officer, "Himmut also! he is as bad as the other."

  "He is as good a Thug," I replied, "and more cannot be said. But welose time; select your men, let them be the bravest and most active youhave--their weapons may be needed. I will too ask you for a sword."

  "Impossible," said he; "you must go as you are: what if you were tolead my men into destruction?"

  I drew myself up proudly. "Trust me or not as you will,--Ameer Ali isno liar, no deceitful villain to the cause he serves. Trust me, and youmake me doubly true to your interests; doubt me, and I may doubt you."

  "Thou speakest boldly," said he, "and I will trust thee. Let him havehis own weapon," he added to an attendant. "And now you must be goneearly, Ameer Ali; the men await you without."

  "This instant,--food shall not pass my lips till I have taken Ganesha."

  I left him. I found the men, six resolute-looking fellows, well armed;I stripped them of their badges of office, and made them throw duston their garments, so that it should appear they had travelled far.The iron on my leg I secured, so that it should make no noise and notbe visible, under my trowsers; and I put the party in motion. It wasnearly evening, and avoiding the town, I struck
at once into the opencountry. "If we travel well," said I to the men, "we may be up with himby midnight."

  "Where is he?" asked the leader of the party.

  "At ----; he lives with the Potail there, and passes for a HindooFakeer."

  "By Gunga! I have seen him then," rejoined the fellow; "he is tall, andsquints, does he not?"

  "That is the man," said I; "you would hardly have thought of lookingfor him so near you?"

  "No, indeed! had we known it, we might have captured him a week ago."

  "Now you are sure of him," said I: "but we must be wary; will you trustme?"

  "I will; but beware how you attempt to escape or mislead me."

  "I have a heavy reckoning to settle with Ganesha--he murdered mymother!" was my only reply.

  We reached the village in the very dead of night; everything was still,and it was perfectly dark, which aided my purpose; for my companion'sface could not be distinguished, and my own approach to the Potail'shouse would not be noticed. "Now," said I to the Nujeeb, "you alonemust accompany me; let the rest of your men stay here: I will bringGanesha here, and then you must bind him. Do you fear me?" (for heappeared irresolute;) "nay, then I will go alone, and tell your masterthat ye are cowards."

  "That will not do either," cried the man; "I must not let you out of mysight; my orders are positive; so go I must; and if I do not return,"said he to his associates, "do you make the best of your way to Saugoralone, and say that I am murdered."

  I laughed. "There is no fear," said I; "in half an hour or less weshall return: are you ready?"

  "I am, Meer Sahib; lead on, and remember that my sword is loose in thescabbard. I may die, but thou shalt also."

  "Fool!" said I, "cannot you trust me?"

  "Not yet," he replied; "I may do so hereafter."

  "Remember," I continued, "that you are neither to speak to Ganesha northe other, if he is here. I will get them out of the house; after thatlook well to your weapon. If they attempt to escape, or show suspicionof our real errand, fall on Himmut when I ask you how far it is toSaugor: leave me to deal with Ganesha;--we are two to two, and Ganeshais a better swordsman than the other. You will remember this."

  "I will," he replied; "I will stick by you,--I fear not now, for I seeyou are faithful."

  A few more steps brought us to the Potail's house, and I called forhim by name. "Jeswunt! Jeswunt! rouse yourself and come out, man. Thouknowest who I am." I spoke in Ramasee, which I knew he understood. Heanswered me from within, and soon after I heard the bars and bolts ofhis door removed, and he came forth wrapped in a sheet. "Who calls me?"he asked.

  "I, your friend Ameer Ali," I replied; "where is Ganesha?"

  "Asleep, within; why do you ask?"

  "And Himmut?"

  "Asleep also; what do ye want with either? and what brings you here,Meer Sahib, so late or so early, which you please? we thought you werehalf way to Calcutta."

  "Ah," said I, "that matter has been given up; the Nujeebs were out, andthere was risk. But go and rouse Ganesha; I have some work in hand forhim, and have no time to lose; it must be finished by daylight."

  "I understand," said the Potail, "some bunij, eh?"

  "Do not stand chattering there, or your share may be forgotten,Potailjee; bring Ganesha to me, or tell him I am here, he will comefast enough." He went in. "Now be ready!" said I to the Nujeeb; "do asI do, and remember the signal."

  I heard the Potail awaken Ganesha; I heard the growling tones of hisvoice as he first abused him for rousing him, and afterwards his eagerquestion, "Ameer Ali here! ai Bhowanee, what can he require of me?" Atlength his gaunt figure appeared at the doorway. Ya Alla! how my heartbounded within me, and then sickened, so intense was my excitement onbeholding him.

  "Where art thou, Ameer Ali?" said he; "I can see nought in thisaccursed darkness."

  "Here," said I, "you will see well enough by-and-by, when your eye isaccustomed to it; give me your hand; now descend the step; that isright." We embraced each other.

  "Are you ready for work?" I asked; "I have only two men with me, andwe have picked up some bunij; there will be good spoil too if you willjoin us,--alone we can do nothing--there are four of them."

  "Where?" he asked.

  "Yonder, in the lane; I have pretended to come for fire."

  "Who is that with you?"

  "A friend; no fear of him, he is one of us."

  "Does he speak Ramasee?"

  "Not yet," said I; "he is a new hand; but a promising one. But where isHimmut?"

  "Within, snoring there, you may even hear him; wait for me a moment, Iwill go for my sword and shoes, and rouse him up. Four men you said,and we are five; enough, by Bhowanee! we will share the spoil."

  "Before you are two hours older! be quick, or they may suspect me."

  He went in, and returned in a short time fully equipped; Himmutaccompanied him, and we exchanged salutations.

  "Now, come along," said I, "there is no time to lose."

  "Hark ye!" said Ganesha, "there is a well in yonder lane, will that dofor the bhil?"

  "Certainly," I replied, "you will see the men directly." Soon after Ihad spoken we approached our party.

  "Who goes there?" cried one of them.

  "A friend--Ameer Ali!"

  "Then all is right," was the reply, and in another instant we hadjoined them.

  "There are your men, seize them!" cried I, throwing myself upon Ganeshawith such violence that we fell to the ground together, struggling withdeadly hate; but two of the Nujeebs came to my aid, just as Ganesha hadsucceeded in drawing a small dagger he wore in his girdle, and as I hadfortunately seized his hand.

  "Bind him hand and foot," said I, disengaging myself from him, "andgag him, or he may alarm the village by his cries." This was done, andhe was disarmed; a cloth was tied round his mouth so that he could notspeak, and we hurried our prisoners along as fast as the darkness andthe roughness of the road would allow.

  None of us spoke, nor was it till the day had fully dawned that Ilooked upon Ganesha; then our eyes met, and the furious expression ofhis face I shall never forget. "Take the gag from his mouth," said I toone of the Nujeebs! "let him speak if he wishes." It was done.

  "You are revenged at last, Ameer Ali," he said; "may my curses cleaveto you for ever, and the curses of Bhowanee fall on you for thedestruction of her votary! May the salt you eat be bitter in yourmouth, and your food poison to you!"

  "Ameen!" said I; "you have spoken like Ganesha. I am indeed revenged,but the debt is not paid yet--the debt you owe me for my mother's life.Devil! you murdered her."

  "Ay, and would have murdered you, when you were a weak puling child,but for that fool Ismail, he met his fate, however, and yours is yet instore for you."

  "You will not see it," said I; "and when I behold you hung up like adog I shall be happy."

  "Peace!" exclaimed the leader of the Nujeebs; "why do you waste wordson him, Ameer Ali?"

  "Because I am glutting my soul with his sufferings," I answered; "and,had I my will, I would stand by and taunt him till the hour of hisdeath. Did he not murder my mother? and, if he had not, should I havemurdered my sister? Have I not cause for deep and deadly hate? Yet Iwill be silent now."

  We reached Saugor, and the delight with which the officer receivedGanesha from my hands could not be concealed. "A deep blow has beenstruck at Thuggee in the capture of this villain," said he, "and thouhast done thy duty well, Ameer Ali."

  From that hour I rose in his confidence and estimation, and I havenever forfeited it. Ganesha's trial came on, and I was the principalwitness against him. I told all I knew of the murders he had committed,and others corroborated my statements in the fullest manner. He wassentenced to die.

  In vain was it that I entreated to see him before his execution; Iwanted to taunt him with his fate, and to embitter his last hours,if anything I could have said might have done so. It was denied me;the officer knew of my purpose, and was too humane to allow it. ButI saw him die--him and twenty others--all at th
e same moment. Hesaw me too, and cursed me; but his curses were impotent. They allascended the fatal drop together--refused the polluting touch of thehangman--adjusted the ropes round their own necks--and exclaiming"Victory to Bhowanee!" seized each other's hands, and leaped fromthe platform into eternity. I watched Ganesha, and I joyed to seethat his struggles were protracted beyond those of the others. I wassatisfied--he had paid the debt he owed me.

  And now, Sahib, after this event, my life became one of dull routineand inactivity. One by one I tracked and apprehended my old associates,till none of them remained at large. The usefulness of my life toyou has passed away, and all that I can do is at times to relate thedetails of some affair I may either have witnessed, or heard fromothers. Why should I live? is a question I often ask myself; whyshould an existence be continued to me in which I have no enjoyment,no pleasure, no care, not even grief? I have remorse but for one act,and that will never leave me. Yet I must support it until Alla pleasesto send the angel to loose the cord which binds my life to the clay itinhabits.

  I used often to think on my daughter; but her too I have almostforgotten; yet I should not say forgotten, for I love her with aparent's affection, which will last to the latest moment of myexistence. But she is happy, and why should she know of me?

  I fear that I have often wearied you by the minute relation of myhistory; but I have told all, nor concealed from you one thought,one feeling, much less any act which at this distance of time I canremember. Possibly you may have recorded what may prove fearfullyinteresting to your friends. If it be so, your end is answered; youhave given a faithful portrait of a Thug's life, his ceremonies, andhis acts; whilst I am proud that the world will know of the deeds andadventures of Ameer Ali, the Thug.

  THE END.

  COX AND WYMAN, PRINTERS, 74-75, GREAT QUEEN-STREET.

  Transcriber's Notes

  Obvious errors of punctuation and diacritics repaired.

  Hyphen added: "court-yard" (pp. 47, 118), "every-day" (p. 118),"fire-places" (P. 143), "heart-rending" (p. 29), "mid-day" (pp. 222,233), "to-night" (p. 94).

  Hyphen removed: "brushwood" (p. 135), "nightfall" (p. 113),"sweetmeats" (p. 111).

  Changed "fakeer" to uppercase "Fakeer" for consistency.

  For consistency, the final "h" was dropped from the following words:"Bismillah", "Moolah", "Poonah".

  The following alternate spellings have not been changed: "befel" /"befell", "Bhilla manjeh" / "Bhillmanjeh" / "Bhil manjeh", "Peroo" /"Peeroo", "worshiped" / "worshipped", "villan" / "villain".

  Duplicate words removed: "at at" (pp. 30, 267), "I I" (p. 57), "thethe" (pp. 89, 175), "with with" (p. 217), "is is" (p. 229), "to to" (p.216).

  p. vii: "stowns" changed to "towns" (in the principal towns).

  p. 5: "hs" changed to "he" (he came to me).

  p. 7: "Scindia" changed to "Sindia".

  p. 9: "nigh" changed to "night" (leave the town in the night).

  p. 19: "Fukeers" changed to "Fakeers".

  p. 24: "peshcar" changed to "peshkar".

  p. 25: "Brij Lal" changed to "Brij Lall".

  p. 23: "lac" changed to "lakh" (one lakh and sixty thousand rupees).

  p. 25: "Jeysookhdass" changed to "Jeysookhdas".

  p. 29: "bittterly" changed to "bitterly" (I lay and moaned bitterly).

  p. 33: "unwieldly" changed to "unwieldy" (He was a large, unwieldy man).

  p. 39: "enterprize" changed "enterprise" (the plunder of our lateenterprise).

  p. 50: "horse" changed to "horses" (the horses charge).

  p. 54: "sharpens" changed to "sharpen" (These matters sharpen one'sintellect).

  pp. 61, 64: "Moossulman" changed to "Moosulman" (Remember you are aMoosulman, a Moosulman by his appearance).

  p. 64: "Oomerkhair" changed to "Oomerkher".

  p. 64: "opportuninity" changed to "opportunity" (a good opportunity ofgetting away).

  p. 73: "yon" changed to "you" (you may perhaps be able).

  p. 79: "buiding" changed to "building" (that noble building, the CharMinar).

  p. 80: "aud" changed to "and" (and bid him come early).

  pp. 84, 175: "whe" changed to "who" (those who carried them, whoappeared to be the chief).

  p. 89: "opportunites" changed to "opportunities" (which give capitalopportunities).

  p. 97: "man" changed to "men" (by one of our men).

  p. 99: "Budrinath" changed to "Bhudrinath".

  p. 102: "Is it" changed to "It is" (It is on order, Sahib, drawn infavour of Kumal Khan).

  p. 104: "nor" changed to "not" (We did not return).

  p. 117: "beautyfying" changed to "beautifying" (freely expended inbeautifying).

  p. 118: "Ellichpore" changed to "Ellichpoor".

  pp. 120, 125: "Subjee" changed to "Subzee".

  p. 133: "then" changed to "them" (it is needless to repeat them).

  p. 138: "them" changed to "then" (now and then).

  p. 140 (twice): "Jamadar" changed to "Jemadar".

  p. 140: "diving" changed to "driving" (what he was driving at).

  p. 144: "lest" changed to "left" (since he left Saugor).

  p. 198: "disapearance" changed to "disappearance" (no one could accountfor his disappearance).

  p. 199: "shampoe" changed to "shampoo" (sat down to shampoo him).

  p. 205: "Hydayut" changed to "Hidayut".

  p. 206: "arrear" changed to "arrears" (The revenue was never inarrears).

  p. 211: "new" changed to "now" (now and then).

  p. 217: "hankerchief" changed to "handkerchief" (I tied a handkerchiefover my mouth).

  p. 232: "attemped" changed to "attempted" (attempted to lay hold ofhim).

  p. 234: "travelllng" changed to "travelling" (the danger of travellingalone).

  p. 236: "sorrrow" changed to "sorrow" (your experience with sorrow).

  p. 239: "gripe" changed to "grip" (my fatal grip).

  p. 239: "boddice" changed to "bodice" (I tore away the bodice).

  p. 246: "successsful" changed to "successful" (thou wilt be successful).

  p. 247: "on" inserted (he was going on a journey).

  p. 252: "hestitated" changed to "hesitated" (But still Bodheehesitated).

  p. 259: "tatoos" changed to "tattoos" (four tattoos and some bullocks).

  p. 267: "Lucknow" changed to "Lukhnow".

  p. 275: "offerered" changed to "offered" (free pardon which wasoffered).

  p. 278: "fellews" changed to "fellows" (six resolute-looking fellows).