155 



History of the Ramoossies. 



[April 



ing and howling of jackalls, or the chirping, orwhisthng of birds. In 

 the event of their being surprised, (and having separated during their 

 flight,) they have recourse to their barking and chirping systenn for 

 the same purpose. The Mangs also adopt this mode of communi- 

 cating with each other, when similarly employed. It requires a very 

 practised ear to detect the imposition, so successful are these people 

 in imitating the cry of different birds and quadrupeds. 



When a few travellers for the sake of security put up for the night 

 in front of a house in the centre of a village, or under a tree close to 

 the houses, the robbers apprehensive of being recognised, or meeting 

 with, too much opposition, will refrain from molesting them. How- 

 ever, shortly after midnight they will disturb the crows in the adjoin- 

 ing trees by throwing stones at them, with the view of making th^ 

 travellers suppose it is day light, or they will imitate the cawing of 

 the crows to delude them, and when they have proceeded on their 

 journey, and have reached a jungle or ravine, in which the robbers 

 had previously posted themselves, they are attacked and plundered 

 in the dark. 



The Ramoossies amongst themselves seldom estimate the proper- 

 ty they obtain by plunder, being worth to them much above half of 

 its intrinsic value. They say what is very true, " who will give a 

 robber the full value of an article, when it is known he must sell 

 such article by stealth," and that, owing to some unforeseen event, 

 both seller and buyer may be involved in much trouble. Gold and 

 silver ornaments plundered at a distance, they contrive to dispose of 

 at a pretty fair price, this they partly effect through the agency of 

 some shroffs, or money dealers. Between some of these and the 

 Ramoossy Naiks, there is frequently a good understanding. The 

 dealings of these people are principally with the agricultural classes. 

 They are in the habit of receiving gold and silver articles in pawn 

 for the money, they are called on to advance, so that they have a 

 greater facility in disposing of articles tendered for sale by the Ra- 

 naeossies, or any other robbers. 



The village goldsmith is, at times, employed to break up orna- 

 ments obtained in the neighbourhood and he makes up new ones of 

 a different description — the Ramoossy paying him the usual price of 

 his labour. He presents him also with a turban or piece of cloth, 

 worth two or three rupees. The goldsmith having received the tur- 

 ban, and probably made away with a few grains of gold, is satisfied 

 that it is to his advantage to keep silence on the subject. 



A man that had been residing at Sakoordy, and whom Oomiah 



