144 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
up wholly to a life of plunder. He thus gained the 
command of about fifty hold and hardy veterans, 
who, confident in the skill and undaunted spirit of 
their young, yet circumspect captain, and charmed 
by his hearty good-humour, no less than they were 
astonished at his wit and superior understanding, 
pledged themselves by exchange of turbans, and swore 
on their swords to make his will their only law. 
Yakoob Lais and his formidable troop for a while 
established themselves in the rocky fastnesses upon 
the southern frontier of Sehistan, and levied contri- 
butions, not only upon all travellers, but also upon 
all towns and villages within the range of a forced 
march. But, upon one occasion, having penetrated 
southward as far as the romantic river Guadavery, 
they brought upon themselves the formidable en- 
mity of the Brahmins in all the country round- 
about, by pillaging some Hindoo temples, and carry- 
ing off a vast amount of treasure. Being surrounded 
on all sides, they would, doubtless, have perished, had 
they not been led by one of their comrades, a native 
of the place, to a retreat of great security, within the 
chain of the Western Ghat mountains. The strength 
and secrecy of this position appear to have been in- 
comparable ; and Yakoob Lais, considering it to be 
admirably adapted to the permanent security of his 
troop, and the depositing of his treasure, imme- 
diately ordered his head-quarters to be removed 
thither. There was an extensive valley shut in on all 
