The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-02-24
Human Trees in India.

s
There are various tribes Of savages
who successfully initiate stumps and
stones by remaining immovable in
crouching positions SO as to battle their
pursuers.
This mimicry is carried to wonder
full degree of perfection in India. That
strange country, as DR.. Latham says,
"of teeming, ingenious anu industri-
GUS but rarely independent population.
It is country of an ancient literature
and ancient architecture, and he might
have added, of a modern degradation.
A country where such a society as the
murderous thugs is possible country
where robbers are educated from child
hood for the profession in which they
take great pride, openly boasting of
their skill. One of our most skillful
and adroit bank robbers would be con-
sidered by these India experts but
bungllng amateur.
The scientific manner in which these
robbers prepare for their raids shows q
thorough knowledge of the dangers Of
their calling and the best guards against
the same, choosing darkness for their
forays. When their dusky bodies are
least observable they remove their
clothes, anoint themselves with oil, and
with a single weapon, a keen-edged
knife suspended from their neck, creep
and steal like shadows noiselessly
through the darkness. If detected,
their greasy and slippery bodies assist
them in eluding capture, while their
razor bladed knife dexterously sewers
the wrist of any OBTAINING hand. But
the most ingenious device to escape cap
ture is that shown by the Bheel robbers.
1t often happens that band of these
robbers are pursued by mounted En-
glishman, and, unable to reach the jun
gle, find themselves about to be over
taken upon one of those open plains
which have been cleared by fire, the only
shelter in sight being the blackened
trunks or leafess branches Of small
trees that persisted in the flames. For
men SO skilled in posturing this is shelter
enough. Quickly divesting themselves
with their plumber in small piles over
the plain, covering. them with their
round shields so that they have the ap-
pearance Of Jumps of earth and attract
no attention. This accomplished, they
snatch up a few sticks, throw their body
into contorted position, and stand or
crouch immovable until their unsuspi-
cious enemies have galloped by. When
all is safe they quickly pick up their
spoil and proceed upon their way.
The Rev. J. u. Woods gives an inter
esting account of these marvellous MIN
les. quote the following:
"Before the English had become used
to these maneuvers, very ludicrous in
cident occurred. An officer, with q par
ty OF horse, was chasing a small body of
Bheel robbers, and was fast overtaking
them. Suddenly the robbers ran behind
rock or some such obstacle, which hid
them for moment, and when the SOL
diers came up the men had mysteriously
disappeared. After an unavailing search,
the officer ordered his men to dismount
beside clump OF scorched and withered
trees and, the day being very hot, he
took off his helmet and hung it on a
branch by which he was standing. The
branch in question turned out to be the
leg Of & Bheel, who burst into scream
of laughter, and flung the astonished
officer to the ground. The clump OF
scorched trees suddenly became meta
morphosed into men, and the whole
party dispersed in different directions
before the Englishmen could recover
from their surprise, carrying with them
the officers helmet by way Of trophy
D. O. Beard, IN Scieratic american.