TIGER SLAYER BY ORDER 



the police, as is the case with all disciplined forces, operating 

 in an unknown country and against a mobile foe, were at 

 a considerable disadvantage. 



At length, however, we thought our chance had come 

 when one day a deserter from the enemy's camp came to 

 the police and offered his services as an informer ; but, as 

 it turned out, this merely added to our difficulties, for while 

 he was being taken to the magistrate's camp, the escort 

 was attacked by the gang, who, killing the havildar in 

 command and two constables, carried him off with 

 them. 



We found the body of the poor wretch later, tied to a 

 tree, but minus the head, which had been cut off and stuck 

 on a pole as a warning to any villagers who might be dis- 

 posed to act as he had done ! 



Finally, things came to such a pass that, in spite of 

 extra men being supplied to each district force, it was found 

 that the police were insufficient, and it was decided to 

 reinforce them by a detachment of infantry from Poonah. 

 Before these arrived, however, I had organized a flying 

 column of fifty picked men under a smart, reliable inspector, 

 each man carrying sixty rounds of ammunition and provided 

 with provisions for a month, so as to be independent of the 

 villagers, who, since the summary execution of the informer, 

 were more disinclined than ever to render assistance to the 

 police. 



The pursuit was resumed without delay, and in the course 

 of a few days the stronghold of the gang in these hills was 

 discovered and surrounded. They made a desperate re- 

 sistance, fighting with great courage and desperation, but 

 in the end many were killed, wounded, and captured, 

 including the chief, whom we found the next day hiding 

 in a field, where he lay wounded. 



We also recovered a quantity of treasure, consisting of 

 bags of rupees, gold and silver ornaments, etc., all of which 

 were found lying — flung here and there about the camp — 

 amongst the mud and puddles, for it had been raining 

 heavily before and during the encounter. 



Our loss was heavy too, the inspector being wounded and 

 several men killed. However, we had the satisfaction of 

 feeling that the gang was now thoroughly broken up, 

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