62 EVERYDAY LIFE ON A 



a man went to fetch him they declined to give 

 him up, and in fact hid him away. After about 

 six weeks of parley, Rob got a warrant for his 

 arrest — a run-away cooly can always be 

 arrested if less than sixty days' pay is due. 

 The policeman brought him here to be identi- 

 fied by Rob, and the Kangany. I shall never 

 forget the scene I overheard in the verandah. 

 Such a jabbering in Tamil and English, for 

 the native policeman seemed to think it more 

 dignified to talk in broken English. The 

 poor prisoner was handcuffed, and dreadfully 

 ashamed of appearing thus on his own Estate. 

 Rob at once ordered the handcuffs off, saying he 

 himself would be responsible for his safe keep- 

 ing, then he addressed the man very seriously. 

 He and the Kangany made him take a 

 il Saami " oath that he would not run away 

 again, which he did, prostrated on the ground, 

 clasping his Master's feet. After a great deal 

 more jabbering and vociferating from the 

 policeman, and the Kangany, he was taken 

 off to the police station there to await the 

 sitting of the court, two days later. He is 

 now back here, friends with everyone, and 

 working splendidly. A " Saami " oath is so 

 binding amongst the Tamils that no one seems 

 to be afraid of his breaking it. On his return 

 from Court he again prostrated himself at 

 Rob's feet begging for forgiveness. 



