The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-24

long and deep grave, into which huge
rocks were flung, to prevent the keen
scented jackals from burrowing down
and devouring the prey.
The murderous band of robbers then
betoOk themselves once more to the road
after delay of few minutes, and such
was their knowledge of the country in
which they were operating that, under
the deXterOus guidance of their leaders,
pursuit was virtually impossible. Scouts
were continually thrown out in advance,
on the flank. or in the rear of "Bhowanee's
faithful children, " and such was the skill
and vigilance under which the lives Of
thousands of rich victims were sacrificed
year after year that for centuries total
immunity, not only from punishment, but
even from suspicion, was the reward ac-
corded by BhOwanee and her bloodthirsty
husband, silva, to these scourges of the
human race.
Meadows Taylor, in his three-volumed
work entitled Confessions of a Thug"
tells US that most of the information sup
piled in his work came from rutfian
called Ameer Ali, who told him that be-
fore he turned informer to save his worth
less life, he had as a thug put to death
with his own hand 40 victims. "Ah !.
Sahib." he added regretfully, IF | had
not been in prison for twelve years the
number would certainly have been 1000.
When Ameer was years old his father
and mother were killed by thugs The
boy was spared through the interpositlon
of one of the band, and was raised thug.
A chapter in Meadows Taylor's work
tells how Ameer killed his first man.
Ameer Ais father had persuaded rich
sowcar to accompany the band OF thugs
which the old man commanded from the
sowcar's home in NagpoOr to Hyderabad,
whittier they were all bound. The
sowcar, imagining himself in hon
est hands, informed the head Of
the band of murderers that he was
about to carry a good deal OF trea-
sure. together with some valuable Jewels
and merchandise, from NaRpoor TO Hy-
derabad. "Just at nightfall,' said Ameer
Ali, "the sowcar came to our camp in
small travelling cart, with two servants
and three ponies, on which his tent and
baggage were laden, and with ten bull
ocks and their drivers Altogether, there
were eight men, including the sowcar.
He was a large, unwieldy man, and |
thought him a good subject for my first
trial. My father, to whom ! mentioned
my thoughts, was much pleased with me.
= Daily did / repair to my in
structor, an old and accomplished
bhuttote, in order to make myself perfect
in my profession Our Journey lay through
the richest manufacturing districts Of
Hindostan until we approached Oonrao-
tic. between which and Mungloor three
stages interpOse. Soon whispered
my father to me, j shall
decide on the place for ending this
matter, among some low hills and ravines
not far ahead The guides were called in
and gave a very clear description Of
spot admirably adapted for our purpose.
/ now felt that my time had almost come.
Perhaps IL was a youths weakness, but
from that moment kept out Of sight of
the sowear as much as possible. An in
voluntary shudder crept over me when
did see him. but it was too late TO retract
and had character to gain. u was
generally known throughout our band
that had the sOwcar assigned 10 me,
and all looked forward 10 my first trial,
cheering and encouraging me with few
words whenever / drew near them. The
handkerchief was then intrusted to me by
the Gooroo, with the solemn words:
Take this sacred weapon, my son; put
thy heart into il. In the holy name OF
Kalee Bhowunee ! bid IL do thy willV
eve remained in conversation some
time. and then threw ourselves on our
carpets TO snatch a brief rest. Before
long we were reused, and all moved out
together The night was beautiful, the
road excellent. and we pushed on In high
spirits The booty we were about %
secure. the tact with which we whole
afIair had been managed, would mark IL