The weekly Butte record., 1863-10-03
The Thugs of India.

Wiz dlE y. -a4l4L~u - cte-0s NHD 0~NA
the company Of some harmless traveller,
and at suitable moment throw cord
around his neck and very skilfully stran-
gle him. These murderous thieves are
called Thugs. The following Is an ac-
count of an escape from their blood-thir-
sly hands which might almost be regar-
dod as miraculous
NOLAN, born in a small place aear
Meerut, was tan early date pilgrim.
As such he had visited all the temples
on the western coast Of India, and now
started off again 10 visit Oude, the city
Of the divine Rama. In little town
not far from Lucknow. he met with a
man who at first sight had the appear
ance of pious pcnitent. Our pilgrim,
who had high respect for holy persons
made him rich presents to secure to him.
self some Of his store merits. There
upon the penitent gratefully offered to
conduct him to the lord and master,
mighty saint, who surrounded by his
followers, had pitched his camp in
lonely wood, far from the noise Of the
world, not youchsafing to every one the
edifying view Of his eoantenance or his
instructive conversation. NOLAN was
enchanted with this exceedingly kind
invitation, and walked many mics with
him to the woods. They reached them
at nightfall; ; an impenetrablc thicket
surrounded them. As NOLAN looked
around him for 4 moment, his eyes rest
ed upon a couple of new made graves.
He soon suspected what it all meant,
and when next day about fifty fellows
came by, and in a covert manner asked
his companion, 'how have You succeed
ed, brother p all doubt was at an end.
He had fallen into the hands Of those
murderers who are the terror Of the
lonely traveller in India. Torm away
however, was impossible; night had
concealed everything in the deepest
shadow, and human habitation was not
to be found in a great distance. They
compelled him reluctantly to make his
bed in their very midst, and then pro-
cceded with their evening worship which
was performed before Kali, that bloody
goddess whom the Thugs have chosen
for their patron and protecuess. How
did he feel as he heard the robbers, in a
language which he happened TO under
stand, return thanks to the goddess for
so graciously conducting another victim
to them. Mohan had caught severe
cold, and these men of blood feigned the
tendcrest sympathy with him. They
even prepared him medicinal drink and
bid him try it. But the sick man knew
better than to accept the poisonous po-
ton. At 10 clock they retired to rest.
But AIoban with his hand upon long
hatchet which he always carried with
him in his travels, remained in sitting
position, in a state Of indescribable ex-
citement. He had scarcely any cloth
ing on, and tie December nights III
In northern India, so near to the SHOW
covered heights Of the Himalayas are
not the warmest. Yet for all this the
perspiration rolled off Of him in perfect
streams.
After time he heard Slight rustling
in the n,ishboring thicket; it was as if
some one was digging-a grave for him!
This continued for half an hour, then a
form appeared from the thicket. Have
You made the bcd!' said voice from
the midst Of his sleeping comrades.-
Yes was the answer, that pierced No
hans soul like two-edged sword.
He sprang up and looked around him
with strained attention. At length he
saw man creeping towards him; he
was only distant a foot when NOLAN
swinging his axe thundercd out, away,
be off! or | will stretch You upon the
EARTH | know" he continued with a
voice that trembled with mortal fear,
''who you are and what you intend
Take my money and my clothes, but
leave my life"
So speaking, he threw everything he
had with him to the ground. But the
other answered with dreadful coolness,
you need not get excited, We Will have
it all in good time"
With fixed axe the doomed man kept
his place, and bade them take posses
sion Of his goods as he had thrown them
on the ground. But they stood as if
disconnected and urged each other to the
attack. No one made the attempt
''IIo. there" cried the chief, ''all to-
gcther! right upon him" But no one
stirred. 4 merciful God had smitten
them all with cowardice.
As Mohon stood, 50 he remained all
night long-with beating heart, stream
ing with perspiration, his axe uplifted.
On what a struggle was meanwhile 60
ing on within. Many as were the tenn
ples he had already visited, be had