1835.] 



History of the Ramoossies. 



195 



duced partly the effect which Oomiah anticipated, of 

 drawing the troops in the direction of Vissallgur ; how- 

 ever a few only of the detachments in the Satara country 

 moved south, and two of the light ones from the Poo- 

 rundur district. A detachment advanced from Kalapoor, 

 and another from Dapoolie, in the Konkan, towards Vis- 

 sallgur, to oppose the gang should they make their ap- 

 pearance there, or to overawe the discontented that 

 might be anxious to befriend them. 



Shortly after this, it was confidently reported that the 

 gang had gone into the Bheema Shunkur and Joonere 

 hills, with the view of descending into the Konkan to 

 plunder and to incite the Kolies* to rise and to obtain 

 for themselves such terms as Oomiah had formerly ex- 

 torted from Government. 



A. detachment marched from Bombay to check any 

 inroads from the upper country, and to preserve order in 

 the northern Konkan. The distribution of the reward 

 for the apprehension of the Naik Essoo Neekary, pro- 

 duced a considerable reaction in our favour. The peo- 

 ple did not expect that Government would have disburs- 

 ed this money, (although such was the terms set forth in 

 the proclamations,) and several had the honesty to state, 

 that such was the general impression, for neither did 

 they think that Government intended to punish Oomiah^, 

 as he Avas always permitted to do as he liked. 



Several men now having more confidence in our pro- 

 ceedings, tendered their services to assist in seizing 

 Oomiah, provided a promise was given to them in writ- 

 ing that Oomiah would be punished should he be ap- 

 prehended. These men were assured that if Oomiah 

 was seized by them, he should not return amongst them, 

 and that no opportunity would ever be permitted to him 



* The poor deluded Kolies had twice previously tried Ooiuiah's scheme, 

 but were forcibly put down, and learned such a lesson on tiio occusiun. 

 that they are not very desirous now to repeat similar attempts. 



