12 History of the Ramoossies, [Jan. 



sand rupees. As Jowahir Singh, and his son Ram Singh 

 were active in pursuing the gang, and pressed them even 

 to the south of the Neera, Oomiah resolved to check their 

 zeal, and accordingly on the 26th July 1826, he proceeded 

 to the small village near Keekvy, where the Jumadar resid- 

 ed. He made his followers seize the son, Ram Singh ; 

 and then they plundered the house of all descriptions of 

 arms ; after which they retired to the Poorundur hill, 

 with their prisoner. The greater part of the gang now 

 voted for putting Ram Singh to death ; but after keeping 

 him for some time in a most dreadful^ and distressing 

 state of suspense, they compelled him to bind himself by 

 a most solemn oath, that for the future he would not annoy 

 or interfere with them in any manner, and then gave him 

 permission to return to his home. 



The Officer commanding the Poona horse, was now 

 directed to assume the command of the troops employed to 

 suppress the Ramoossy Bund or gang. In October, Oomi- 

 ah found that a small party of the Police were posted in 

 the hills between Jejoory and Wallah for the general pro- 

 tection of travellers, and for the purpose of watching his 

 movements and preventing his predatory excursions. He 

 accordingly attacked them in a house in which they usu- 

 ally slept at Jejoory. Three Sepoys were wounded and 

 two unfortunate brahmuns. The Sepoys subsequently 

 died of their wounds. Oomiah armed his followers with 

 their matchlocks and swords. 



Several weeks previous to this, a Mhar of the name of 

 Sew Naik, of Sakoordy, had presented himself to Captain 

 Robertson the collector, and stated that he wished to make 

 himself useful to Government by seizing the leaders of the 

 gang; and he was taken into employ, with ten men whom 

 he was permitted to select. About the middle of Novem- 

 ber he gained intelligence of Bhojajee Naik being with his 

 family at the small village of Solsey, near the Kamatty ky 

 Ghaut, and proceeded thence to capture this active and 

 daring man. Notwithstanding the house which Bhojajee 

 occupied was surrounded, he effected his escape ; his fami- 

 ly, however, were secured. Sew Naik had made a march 

 on the following day towards Poona, with his charge, when 

 he was overtaken by the Ramoossy, which caused great 



