Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-05-09
A DOUBLE SURPRISE.

For the first few weeks after we went into
camp at Talo, away up in Upper Burmah, on
the head waters of the Irawaddy river, we
had pretty stiff time q it, and what with
fighting dacoits and locating ub-military
stations about the country our hands were
full. Then, just about the time things began
to settle down, a new difficulty arose, for
what little cultivated land there was had
been robbed and plundered by the dacoits,
aud so the poor Burmese found themselves in
danger of starving, and the worst of it was it
looked as though we might have to starve
with them. The Madras Pioneers, whom I
commanded, were brave and sturdy lot of
fellows, but saw only too plainly that their
scant rations were having a serious effect
For awhile native traders had been coming
down the Irawaddy in boats on their way to
Mandalay, carrying gold leaf and indigo,
sweet oil and picked tea, and, what was Of
far more value to US, cocoanuts and bananas,
eggs and rice; but the dacoits along the
wooded banks of the river waylaid and
robbed them so often that they were begin
ming to find it more profitable to stay at
home, and traders boat was now rare
and curious thing.
"Well Capt. Charlton" said cheerful
voice as sat smoking a cheroot before my
tent one evening, bordering over the food
problem, are youg Don't worry. I have
found sure solution for that"
The speaker was Lieut.. Redvers, and he
looked very happy and contented as he pulled
out camp stool and sat down at my side
81 have splendid idea" he went on. ''Half
a dozen of those cowardly traders were in
camp this morning during your absence beg
ging us to give them some protection. 1t
seems the dacoits have robbed two boats in
the past week. There is a whole nest of the
wretches about ten miles above here. These
traders circled round to avoid them, and
they report boat load of stuff lying at a
village twenty miles up the river which they
are afraid to bring down. Now my idea is
this: Suppose we take picked dozen of men
and go back with these fellows. Then we
hide ourselves in the boat, start down the
river and when the dacoits come out to
board us we pop up and give them leaden
reception. assure you they will trouble no
more traders boats, and in future we will feast
as royalty as the Rajah of Munnipore him
self Now, what do you think of that, cap
taing'
depressed my opinion with hearty ella p
on Redvers back.
The next morning picked out half dozen
good men and, taking Redvers along, of
course, we put ourselves under the guidance
of the Burmese traders and started for the
village, twenty miles distant.
That is, it was twenty miles by the water,
but it was at least thirty by the way our
guides led us, for we circled away back from
the river, crossing over couple of mountain
ranges and wading through bamboo swamps
and thorny jungles
1t was perilous trip for such handful of
men and we were all glad when we arrived
at the village about nightfall.
1t was mere trife of place, but it was
encircled with strong stockade Of teak logs,
and the natives had made such a heroic de-
Tense on the several occasions when it had
been attacked by dacoits that the robbers
had ceased to modest it. We found the boat
moored along the bank 1t was a typical
Burmese barge, the very counterpart OF
toy Noahs ark, with shelving roof and sides
constructed Of movable shutters that opened
downward on hinges toward the water. 1t
was propelled by a big stern paddle and the
steersman occupied a little covered platform
that was built up over the roof at the rear OF
the boat. We delayed our departure until
after midnight SO as to reach the decoy posi-
ton about dawn.
The grateful natives piled us with food and
drink, and just before we started an aged
phoonge offered up prayers for our success In
an old pagoda that stood on the bank. We
slowed ourselves away in the interior of the
boat, among the bananas and cocoanuts, and
cutting loose from the bank we glided out on
the sluggish stream.
1t was very dark and very quiet. Redvers
and I sat out on the deck with the boatmen,
for it was necessary to keep a sharp lookout
The profile of the shore could be seen but
dimly, and the steersman found it difficult to
keep the center of the stream. 1t was long
and tedious ride, but at last the owner of the
boar, whose name was Sang, pointed out &
faint glinmer in the east and told us it was
time to get ready. 1t grew gradually lighter
until from my knot hole in the shutter I
could make out the trees on the shore quite
plainly. We continued to float on very
gently with the current, the suspense grow
ing all the while more painful.
twas it possible that our ruse was sus-
pected?" began to wonder.
Suddenly shadow darkened the doorway
and Sang whispered in softly: HWe are near
the place now, sahibs."
Every man took final look at his rifle
when should give the signal We dropped
down stream for hundred yards Or more in
dead silence. was falling into utter despair
when suddenly dark figure stepped out on
the bank and hailed us loudly in Burmese,
bidding our boatmen come peaceably to shore
at once Sang made reply. "We are poor
boatmen from Myong," he cried, in well SIM
ulated tones of fear. "We are taking cargo
of rice to Tamo, and we pray that you will
let us go by unframed.
The only answer to this appeal was de-
risive laugh and sterner command to steer
for the bank at once. Sang made no further
reply, and as soon as the robber saw we
were going to float on by regardless of his
commands he gave loud shout, and on the
instant from the shadow Of the bank three
long pointed canoes shot out filled with saw
age looking fellows, who padded directly for
our boat.
'sThey are coming" I cried, excitedly.
"Make ready now, men,"
Redvers was down at the other end of the
line with rife in readiness, and saw that
every man had one trembling hand on the
bolts of the shutter. The dacoits were SO
close now that could See their faces plainly.
They were armed with both guns and spears,
and as they drew little nearer they let fly
volley at cur boatmen, which drove them
inside happily without injury. 1t was time
to act, for the long canoes were close to the
boat and I saw by the triumphant look OF
satisfaction on their swarthy faces that they
anticipated an easy victory.
"How close are theyg demanded Redvers,
in hoarse whisper.
''Get ready" I answered CHOW, then,
drop the shutters together, men, and let them
have it."
Tho word of command had hardly left nv