200 



History of the Ramoossies. 



[July 



Government had repeatedly expressed its high appro- 

 bation of the mode in which the operations had been 

 projected and carried on, and of the active and zealous 

 exertions of the troops ; whilst it was of opinion that, 

 from the great number of the gang that had been seized, 

 its strength and spirit were completely broken, and judg- 

 ing of Oomiah's general character, that it was not likely 

 he would ever be seized by the military. 



On the other hand, Government were still urged to 

 keep the troops out, as during the rains the chances of 

 overtaking the gang would be greater, owing to the dif- 

 ficulty of their effecting the passages of rivers and nullas, 

 and from the circumstance of there being a greater pro- 

 bability of tracking them in the wet weather. 



It so happened that the monsoon rains fell very scan- 

 tily this season, and the gang contrived to pass the 

 months of June, July, and August, in the part of the 

 district north and east of Jejoory, which had been oc- 

 cupied by the detachments of the 8th regiment, now re- 

 turned to Ahmednuggur. 



The exertions of those that remained, were by no 

 means slackened in consequence of the seemingly dimi- 

 nished chance of ultimate success. Many attempts were 

 made during this time to surprise Oomiah, particularly 

 by Captain Luyken, Lieutenant Long, and two parties 

 of the Nuggur Police corps ; on one occasion Lieute- 

 nant Long made a rapid and fatiguing march, which he 

 continued for the greater part of two nights, and the in- 

 tervening day, in the expectation of coming up with the 

 gang ; but it had moved off some time before he reach- 

 ed the place, K strong detachment of Horse* and Ir- 

 regular infantry was sent by His Highness the Rajah 



* The Rajah had long before this placed a body of Horse and Sibundies 

 at our disposal, to be employed within the Satara territory against the 

 Ramoossies ; and his Mamlutdars and other officers were ordered to lend 

 us every assistance, and to attend to such directions as might be sent to thena 

 .relative to the Bund. 



