OF THE MURDERERS 265 



from the village abovememioned no intelligence could be obtained—no 

 traces whatever could be difcovered of them ; and though about four 

 years have fince elapfed, all enquiries have been fruidefs. (k) 



The utility to fuch criminals as Fhdnstgdrs of figns, and of words 

 and phrafes not underftood by others, as channels of communication 

 mufl be obvious. %i is accordingly found that feveral fuch arc era* 

 ployed by them. Sorne Of thofe in more frecjuent ufe I ihall mention ; 

 and the catalogue might have beCn eafily extended. 



'■*Drawin^g thelsack of the hiind alorig the chin, firoin the throat oiif* 

 wards, implies that caution is reqiiifite-i^that fome firanger is approach- 

 ang. Putting the open hand ov€r the rhouth and drawing ir gently down 

 implies that there is no longer ckiife for ialarm. if an advanced party 

 of Fhdnsigdrs overtake any traveller whom they defign to deftroy, but 

 'have need of more affiftance, they m^ke certain tnar'ks on the road, by 

 * which thofe of the gang who follow underftand that they are required 

 to haltcn forwards. A party in advance alfo leaves certain marks 

 where a road branches off, as intimations to thofe who follow of the 

 route their comrades have takcE, 



The following lifl: comprehends feveral flangternis and phrafes in 

 life among them. This language they denominate Pherafcri-ci bat\ 

 or, as the term may be rendered, the language of dafpatch or emer- 

 gency. 



(k) I liavc n.Mcd that nine p«ifon» wcfc cut off <m. ilua occ«fioh, ihJugh there is fomc icifou lo believe ihat 

 ' the p^ity confined of even a gi«a er nnmber. 



KisTNA RJW hid b-(>n formerly emplofed in the confid^nrial fiiuaiibn o' ShiriflitcJar under Colnnc! 

 F E4D, when ihi» gcmleHmn held the <'oiicdoi{h<p of the tcrriioiiei ceded by 7//iy>5> on ikc conclufiuu of ihe 

 v»ai of 1793. He aftc» ward, feiveduudei Colonel Clobi U ihc Rcfideocy u ' Poonah ; wlie.c lie is Ml 

 ' KcQpi ycd by chcliti lih GofCiunrntj 



IT 



