192 



History qf the Ila/7ioossies. 



[July- 



Ahmeclmiggur collcctorate, a,nd to be guided in their 

 proceedings according to any information that they might 

 receive from them. 



About this time, a body of horse and foot had shown 

 themselves on the boundary of the Ahmednuggur dis- 

 trict, adjoining the Nizam's frontier, and a considerable 

 detachment of Cavah'y and Infantry marched m conse- 

 quence from Aurungabad. Oomiah appeared to be ubi- 

 quity itself, for it was insisted that he was every where 

 at the same time — in the Satara territory, in the Kon- 

 hp.n, in the Nizam's districts^ and in the Nuggur col- 

 lectorship. Plis numerous well wishers, aware of the 

 advantages it would be to him to circulate such reportSj, 

 were most industrious in propagating them, both for the 

 purpose of harassing the troops and annoying the Go- 

 vernment. It having become known that an application 

 had been made to head quarters, that some of the 

 detachment should return to their stations to assist in 

 overawing, or acting against those who might show any 

 disposition of favouring or aiding the proceedings of the 

 Ramoossy Bund, a letter was written to Government, 

 setting forth, " that notwithstanding the threatened 

 disturbances at a distance, it seemed the wisest plan to 

 keep the troops concentrated in the Poona district, and 

 to strike first at the root of the evil in the Poorundur 

 hills, in order to eradicate it effectually.'^ Government 

 in reply wrote — " The detachment will not be with- 

 drawn : unity of action and command seems essential to 

 success, and these should be vested in Captain Mackin- 

 tosh, and our means not v^^eakened by our undertaking 

 enterprises distant from him." 



The gang proceeded now to the banks of the Bheema,, 

 moving gradually down the river; on the 1 6th February, 

 while they were at the small village of Baboolsur, Oo- 

 miah, Kristnajee, and Bhojajee, with the assistance of 

 two or three others_, dictated to a Brahmun wliom they 



