1835.] History of the Ramoossies. 7 



Snttoo to avoid being retaken resided with his relations 

 who lived in the villages near the hills, and defied by stra- 

 tagem all attempts to seize him. In the month of April 

 1823, Oomiah, with his brothers, Amrootah, Kristnajee, 

 and two or three friends, went to the Jutra (pilgrimage) 

 at Jejoory. All of these with the exception of Amrootah 

 had gone to the east side of the hill, to see some tumblers 

 that were exhibiting before the pilgrims. In the mean 

 time Amrootah who had observed a man place his turban 

 on the bank of the neighbouring tank, and afterwards de- 

 scend to bathe in it, approached the place as he thought 

 unperceived and carried olF the turban, but he was observed 

 by a person at some distance, who communicated the cir- 

 cumstance to Anajee Naik, in charge of the Police of the 

 district, (and lately in charge of the Police of the canton- 

 ment at Poona.) Annajee had Amrootah immediately se- 

 cured : no sooner did Oomiah hear of Amrootah being a 

 prisoner, than he repaired to the place occupied by Annajee 

 Naik, and begged and entreated him in the most earnest 

 manner to set his brother at liberty ; but finding Annajee 

 resolutely determined on taking him to Poona, Oomiah 

 quitted greatly chagrined and disappointed with the con- 

 duct of the Police Naik, and made up his mind to rescue, 

 his brother, whatever the consequence might be. In the 

 dusk of the evening, Oomiah repaired to the building occu- 

 pied by Annajee, and immediately advanced on him with 

 his drawn sword, and cut the Naik down, after he had 

 inflicted several severe wounds on him. A Mharata wo- 

 man, who had lived some years with the Naik, threw her- 

 self on his mangled and bleeding body. Oomiah told 

 me, that this act completely arrested his sword, for that 

 seeing the woman's distress, her determined and heroic 

 conduct melted his heart. * Amrootah was set at liberty, 

 and the party fled from Jejoory. Oomiah has mentioned 

 that his rage at the time was such, that he had determined 

 on putting Annajee to death. A Ramoossy belonging to 

 the Police who attempted to assist Annajee was also wound- 

 ed. 



Oomiah and his brothers were now so alarm.ed at what 

 they had done, that after their return to Bhewndy, they 



* Amrootah, having been deeply engaged in the late disturbance, 1^ 

 been transported. ' 



