Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-10-18
SGlFEtGll GALE.
AN ADVENTURE WITH A THUG.

Not long ago a party of six gentlemen
were assembled at a private table in one
of the pleasantest hotels in Manchester
Of this number l happened to be one, and
the guest Of the giver Of the dinner. A
peasanter and more social gathering |
never witnessed, and although we sat down
10 the table at little after six o'clock it
was near midnight before we rose from it.
When the cloth was removed and the
wines were set on the real enjoyment of
the evening began. Toasts, speeches, and
stories followed each other in quick sue
ogss0n, and with brilliancy that have
rarely seen equaled.
Among those present was General l.
4yeteran, who had seen service in India
until his face was as bronzed as his hair
was bleached white by the suns of that
l,lug sky. | was especially charmed
With him. He was frank, outspoken,
genial man, and at once gained both your
respect and friendship.
/, was late in the evening, when some of
tie company called on him for story.
4 story 2" he said, with smile. |
IN Out a poor hand, gentlemen, at story
E.IHg'
Surely, General" remarked our host,
r3u have seen too much active service in
ID. East not to have passed through some
.gnarkabIe adventure"
On, if that is what you want. | can
.g.lge you. | have had some strange ad-
ventures in my life" said the General,
uougAttully. LET me see. What shall
Il oet suppose tell you of my adven-
tore with Thug?"
By all means ~ we exclaimed.
Well, then" began General l.,
'tnng back in his chair, "you must know
HAT went out to India in the service Of
Tie Company nearly forty years ago. l
was mere lad at tn It time, being barely
-54teen. left England with a determi-
nation to make something of myself in the
iAd to which | was going, and when |
reached my destination | began Immediate
y to apply myself to the duties of my pro-
eSslon. labored hard and soon made
progress. | studied closely the manners,
customs, and language of the natives, and
spared no effort to make myself as thorough
al Indian as possible | wanted to fit my
>l Tor any station in the COmpany's SER
wee tor | meant to rise, and knew that
as had no political influence to sustain
ne | would have to depend on my own
merits for promotion. 1t was slow work
1t first, but persevered and when was
.JFtythree, just fifteen years ago, | was a
.'Ionel Of cavalry, and tatter myself that
was the best informed officer in the ser
wee with regard to the country in which
was serving | do not say this through
vanity, but simply to let you understand
letter what follows.
About that time the authorities at Cal
cQl'a were making strong efforts to sup
Press the sect Of Thugs, who, you we'll
Anow, are band of fanatics who make
murder part of their religion. They rare
J molest European, on account of the
great danger in which it would have placed
'uem, but they carried on a regular system
)i operations against the natives, and es-
Dcclally against those who were friendly to
Us. Certain sections Of the country were
sept in state of the most complete terror
oy them, and their atrocities had increased
10 so great an extent that the authorities
thought 1t necessary to at once inaugurate
the most prompt and decisive measures for
their suppression.
IL In the district of Benares the trouble
was very great, and the Thugs managed
their affairs with so much dexterity that
loF time they completely baflled the au-
'horties. The command of this district
Was now given to me, on account of my
Anowledge of Indian affairs, and my long
experience in the country. did not need
Tie letter Of the Governor General to assure
NE that it was delicate and difficult task
"A'ch was assigned me, and that | was ex-
pecIed to discharge it. | accepted the ap-
folatment Immediately. l was given a
IsSIment of mounted men, picked for their
~. o4S experience in the country, and at once
sVt out Tor my new command, being deter
nlIhed IL. to use no halfway measures when
got there.
Upon reaching the neighborhood of Be-
Ca'eS C, we halted and encamped near the
I.aIngeS, about five miles from the city. |
-ao TWO reasons for doing this. One was,