1835.] 



History of the Ramoossiet. 



27 



municated the information to the Havildar's party post- 

 ed in this village. The intelligence was made known to 

 two other parties of the same strength, only two or three 

 koss distant. These three parties being assembled at Oo* 

 murdy, advanced late in the afternoon to the spot where 

 the Bund were said to be posted; they were soon 

 discovered, and a skirmish commenced which lasted till 

 feome time after sunset, when the detachment retired to the 

 village ; no injury was sustained by either party. The Ra- 

 inoossies called out, that the villagers must supply them 

 with food. Upon this the Havildar directed all the inha- 

 bitants to withhold supplies from the gang ; but after it 

 became dark Oomiah with half of his followers advanced 

 close to the place, and declared that unless food was sent 

 to them, they would not only set fire to the large building 

 occupied by the sepoys, but that they would burn every 

 house in the village to the ground. The people becoming 

 alarmed by their threats, let all their cattle loose to prevent 

 them being destroyed by the fire, and great confusion conse- 

 quently prevailed in the place; the detachment retired 

 from the village^ and the Ramoossies obtained all they wanted, 



CHAPTER XL 



■jthe amount of the rewards for the seizure of the Naiks increased. — The chiefs 

 of the Bund accuse persons high in the service of Government of having urged 

 them to plunder. — They think it desirable to secure terms for themselves. — 

 Alarmed at the idea of being betrayed by their followers, the Naiks consider 

 it advisable to return to Poorundur, to disperse their followers, and to employ 

 Kristnajee, &c. to obtain terms for them. — They ascend the Ghauts; are sur- 

 prised by the Rajah's troops. — They encounter a detachment of the extra 

 Battalion, — The gang disperse — The agents commence their negotiations. — ■ 

 Anecdote of some gentlemen hog hunting, surprising Oomiah. — His narrow 



■ escape from the Satara horsemen. — Effects an accommodation with Govern- 

 ment, — A pardon proclaimed, and after meeting the Officer commanding the 

 detachment, he proceeds to reside at Sakoordy. 



It SO happened, that the very day on which the sepoys had 

 been killed (the 20th December,) a proclamation had been 

 issued by Government, calling on the members of the gang 

 to disperse, and offering a reward of five thousand rupees 

 for the apprehension of Oomiah, and a sum of the same 

 Amount for the seizure of each of the Naiks Bhojajee, Essoo 

 Neekary, and Pandoo. 



For many months previous to this, the friends of the Ra- 



