214 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



all speed, and a sharp fight took place, the Affghans and 

 Mekranees firing from behind the masses of rock and trees, 

 and making a determined resistance. In all about 300 were 

 slain, principally outsiders, for the Bheels themselves fled 

 early in the day, and by their knowledge of the ground made 

 good their escape. A prisoner having volunteered to show 

 some of the treasure which was buried in the jungle, a party 

 of men was sent with him. He guided them to a spot where 

 lay the decaying carcass of a bullock, and stated that the 

 treasure would be found buried beneath it. On digging, silver 

 of the value of about 12,000 was recovered. 



I joined the force a few days after the fight had taken 

 place. Colonel Evans was then encamped on the Goee river, 

 in the jungle, twelve miles south-west of Burwanee. Soon 

 after I received a message from Bheema, the leader of the 

 Burwanee Bheels, stating that he wished to surrender, but 

 desiring that I should meet him in the jungle and let him 

 know the terms under which he would be allowed to come in. 

 The place of meeting was to be about two miles from the 

 camp, and I was not to be accompanied by any armed party. 

 As I knew that all but Bheels had fled from the jungles 

 after the engagement I acceded to his request, and replied 

 that I would meet him on the following day. I set out, ac- 

 companied by one native horseman of my own police, and 

 guided by a Bheel who had been sent by Bheema. Meeting 

 the officer commanding the Khandesh Bheel Corps, which 

 formed part of the force, he offered to join me, and as he was 

 personally known to Bheema, I assented. 



On reaching a quiet spot in the jungle our guide requested 

 us to halt, and, running off, disappeared in the thickets. 

 After a short time he returned, followed by Bheema, who 

 was accompanied by fifteen or twenty Bheels armed with 



