134 History of the Ramoossies. [April 



cakes, with a small quantity of greens mixed up with salt 

 and a large proportion of chillies (red pepper,) were con- 

 veyed to some well in the vicinity. If there were any 

 persons of higher caste than Ramoossies, some flour, &c. 

 was supplied, and those for whom it was intended pre- 

 pared their own bread. The gang occasionally obtain- 

 ed a sheep from any flock that might be grazing 

 near them. Should the shepherd be clamorous for the 

 price, after threatening him, they would probably throw him 

 a few pyse. When the inhabitants of a small village objected 

 to furnish them with provisions, some of the members of the 

 gang used at times to beat such persons severely. In 

 November, 1827, they shot a man dead at Kandalla, near 

 theKamatyky Ghaut, who offered resistance, and they 

 took away his horse with them. When the Ramoossies 

 were pressed by the troops, they contented themselves 

 with a very scanty supply of provisions ; this they procur- 

 ed very irregularly, and by stealth, frequently paying for 

 it, in order to conceal their movements : and if they were 

 unacquainted with the localities of the place, they made 

 one of the inhabitants act as guide on the occasion — and 

 in general they vowed vengeance in case of his betraying 

 them. 



As it w^as understood that Oomiah had procured food 

 from his friends at Sakoordy, and that he was in the hills 

 near that place, five detachments moved from opposite 

 directions into the hills, early in the morning of the 29th 

 January, but had not the good fortune of falling in with 

 any of the Ramoossies. They had quitted these hills the 

 preceding evening. 



A proclamation was now published, explaining, that 

 notwithstanding the great lenity and kindness so often 

 shown to Oomiah, he had disregarded all the obligations 

 he was under to the Government, and had recommenced 

 plundering the country, and distressing the inhabitants. 

 A reward therefore of five thousand rupees in cash, and 

 two hundred beghas of land in enam (freehold,) was 

 offered for the apprehension of each of the four principal 

 Ramoossy ringleaders of the gang, viz. Oomiah, Krist- 

 najee^ Bhojajee, and Essoo Neekary, 



