120 



HiMory of the Ramoossies. 



[April 



said to have been communicated by Kakajee : lie stated that 

 the Brahmun had sent him a hoondy (bill of exchange) 

 for two and a half lacks rupees, on Sahookars at Phultun, 

 which proved to be forgeries ; and that he afterwards re- 

 ported the circumstance to the collector at Poona. This 

 was a story made for the occasion, for Oomiah knew well 

 that Kakajee had not been near Bhajee Row, nor had he 

 any authority from him to act as he proposed. I have seen 

 a man noted for his moral and religious character, who 

 was well acquainted with the proceedings of these robbers, 

 and was present when they pledged their faith to each 

 other, but when interrogated on the subject, he denied it 

 altogether, but subsequently evinced much sorrow for hav- 

 ing been guilty of such a falsehood, and added, that it was 

 the dread he entertained of Oomiah, which induced him to 

 withhold the truth. 



It may be considered that I have entered too particularly 

 and circumstantially into the history of Oomiah's irregular 

 proceedings when in charge of the police of the Poorundur 

 district; but my object in doing so, has been to represent 

 to the reader the busy, tyrannical, and dangerous character 

 of the Ramoossy. I shall however close this long chapter 

 of his adventures with the following account of his failure 

 in obtaining possession of one of the largest prizes on 

 which he had fixed his attention. 



During the period that Trimbukjee Danglia was conceal- 

 ing himself in the Mhadeo hills, after he had escaped from 

 Thanna, the Peshwah Bajee Row kept his favourite v^rell 

 supplied with money, although His Highness publicly de- 

 nied all knowledge of his place of retreat. A sum of money, 

 to a large amount, having been deposited with some Sahoo- 

 kars in the town of Phultun, for Trimbukjee's use, remain- 

 ed it is said in their hands v/hen hostilities commenced 

 between the British and Mharrattas, in the year 1817; 

 and in consequence of the confusion that ensued, the 

 Peshwah having proceeded to Plindoostan, and Trimbuk- 

 jee having been apprehended the money remained still un- 

 cleimed. If this was really the case, or what afterwards 

 became of it, I do not pretend to say, but only relate what 

 has been communicated to me as fact. 



