An extensive bazaar was formed at a short distance from camp, and the merchants came from the fortress to offer their goods for sale there. They were not a little surprised at the cheerful manner in which we paid our money for every thing. Amongst the number of traders who flocked to the place were several shroffs or native bankers, who were daily to be seen sitting in their stalls, surrounded by piles of gold pagodas and boxes containing costly jewels and ornaments, deposited with them as security for sums advanced on loan. These temptations proved too strong for the honesty of some of our men. Two of the Madras Native Infantry laid a plan to rob one of the bankers, which was attended with success, owing to the ingenuity with which it was devised. Towards dusk one of them went to a shroff, and having obtained change of some coins pretended he was cheated, in order to occupy the attention of the choprasses or native policemen. During the temporary confusion which ensued, his companion, who had disguised himself as a native, and blackened his face and hands, passed over to a shroff at the opposite side, and throwing the contents of a snuff box in his eyes completely blinded him, and made off with a case containing jewels to a large amount. The shroff having recovered from his surprise, roared out "chure! chure!" and the uproar became general. The choprasses gave chase, but the darkness of the night favoured the thief, and he succeeded in baffling his pursuers for some time. Becoming exhausted with fatigue, and hearing voices near him, he plunged into a deep nullah, but lights were soon moving along its banks, and he saw that his retreat could not long remain undiscovered. Knowing well that whether he restored the property or not, he would be severely punished, he resolved to secure it while there was yet time, and with his bayonet dug a deep hole, in which he buried the casket. Restoring the surface to the same state in which he found it; he twisted the bushes so as to mark the spot, and creeping along on his hands and knees emerged from the nullah, and again took to his heels in the direction of the camp. As ill luck would have it he stumbled on a corporal, and party sent in pursuit of him, and was immediately seized and brought prisoner into camp. His companion had been taken into custody by the choprasses. The two men were tried by a court martial, and sentenced to seven hundred lashes each; and they received their punishment in presence of the assembled brigade. The Colonel, who was an exceedingly humane man, entreated of them to disclose where the box was hid, and promised a remission of a portion of their sentence if they would do so; but the fellow who had buried it remained firm, and received his full comple ment without wincing. The other became insensible before he had received half the number, and was released by order of the Colonel. This ill gotten wealth did not much benefit the thieves: they sold it, and sent the greater portion of the money out of the country for greater security, but the acquisition of so large a sum turned their heads, and they abandoned themselves to every sort of excess. One of them died of fever brought on by drink; and the other purchased his discharge and returned. to England. He opened an inn somewhere in Cambridgeshire, but neglecting his business his affairs went to wreck, and he ended his days in the work house. CHAPTER XII "Jamais, non jamais de grâce, PREVIOUS to our departure for Kirkee an assassination was committed on the person of one of our officers, which, owing to the circumstances that provoked it, was very differently viewed by the Europeans and native followers. As I have already mentioned, the disbanded troops of the Rajah had formed themselves into bands of plunderers, and scarcely a night |