207 



Hisfori/ of the Ramoossies, 



[July 



fancy, he discovers, from the r conversation, that some of his friends 

 have confessed and are likely to be pardoned, and that he himself 

 was described as one of the most formidable and principal persons 

 of the gang;, he is puzzled how to act ; for resentment and pride 

 nearly make him determine to continue silent, and brave all danger. 

 However overcoming these feelings, and wishing to extricate him- 

 self, if possible, from his difficulty, he entreats that it may be made 

 known that he has something of a very important nature to commu- 

 nicate. 1 hen follow further declarations and recantations. The 

 matter becomes extremely intricate, and the coftduct of the prisoner 

 so perplexing, that after trial it becomes a most unsatisfactory and 

 niost difficult matter to come to a decision on the point. 



The following is said to be the general opinion of the Ramoossies 

 respecting the punishments inflicted by our courts on such criminals 

 as are convicted before them. A Ramoossy is said to care little 

 for a punishment of two years hard labour, especially if he has been 

 fortunate enough in preserving the stolen property for which he is 

 now suffering confinement, as he will enjoy himself after he has been 

 set at liberty. The separation from his wife or mistress, is a source 

 of sorrow ; but then they enjoy extremely comfortable quarters, a 

 good and regular supply of food, and have comparatively light and 

 easy work. It is a common observation, that few of the poorer and 

 lower orders are so well off and happy as the Government prisoners. 

 The case is much the same when they are sentenced to five years 

 imprisonment. They console themselves by saying, that, after three 

 years, they will have only two more to remain in Jail — upon the 

 whole thinking lightly of it, unless they happen to be old men — and 

 hoping they will have an opportunity for gratifying their revenge 

 somehow on the persons that gave evidence, or information, against 

 them. They greatly dread fourteen years imprisonment, and the 

 sentence of hard labour for life, to many of them, is worse than a 

 sudden termination of life. The idea of transportation fills them 

 with horror, and is looked upon as a moral death * 



Although the following anecdote is unconnected with the present 

 subject, I am induced to mention it as it gives some slight insight 

 into the feelings of some of the members of the predatory tribes. 

 The Koley Higgiah Thoukkull lives in one of the small villages in 

 a valley of the Syadry range of Ghauts — some miles north of Joo- 

 nere. He had never spoken to an European until he met me, al- 



* The wife of a Ramoossy lately transported from a village near PoonaLas 

 ftlnee been married to another Ramoossy. 



