Imatges de pàgina
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Ellustrated Article.
THE BLACK CONVICT.*

"My ancestors were of undoubted rank and consequence. The father of my father, for instance, held the distinguished appointment of leader of one of the most extensive and best organized bands of itinerant robbers that ever subsisted by plunder. My mother, too, was the daughter of a noble fellow, who commanded no less than a hundred vagrant followers, the terror of the country for as many miles round. Of the whole of these my tutor was his especial favourite. There was not a spot upon the head of this my venerable instructor, when he wore the grey hairs of eighty, on which you could place a rupee without its touching a brace of sabre scars. In short, he had received more cuts than there are days in the year, and prided himself highly on

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these numerous marks of gallantry and honourable achievement. He had been for nearly seventy years faithful to the society to which he belonged, and in the course of that period had brought many a man to an unexpected end. His boasted trophy was a strange one-the tips of the noses of those who had fallen beneath his arm; these he carefully preserved, and he would occasionally exhibit them as proofs of his valour. In skill and agility he was without equal in the troop: he was as active as the monkey, as cunning as the fox, and as cold-blooded as the gaunted wolf. Under the tuition of this accomplished master, (who was well known at Loodeanna by the name of Bollicadassas, from his frequent robberies in that neighbourhood,) I had every reason to hope, by common application, to become a distinguished practitioner in the same line."

"True," said 1, interrupting my informant," and yet it would appear, from the iron fetters which you now wear, that you did not profit much by your superior education."

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Why, as to that," replied he, "if

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you have an hour to spare, I will tell you how it happened," and he continued as follows:

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"Having acquired the rudiments of my profession, under my experienced teacher, I was at length pronounced by him fully competent to undertake a job at my own risk, and for my own benefit. As this, my first commission, was rather adroitly performed, the particulars of the affair may perhaps serve to amuse you. We had received information that a young British officer, who had recently arrived from England, was on his way to join the force then lying at Loodeanna. The plucking of this bird was entrusted entirely to my management, and I therefore started to meet him. At about thirty miles from the station of Loodeanna, I found him snugly encamped in a small and solitary toop on the margin of a village. When I spied him he was puffing away at a. most beautiful hookah, with a silver mouth-piece and surpoose. Lah kho dah,' thought I to myself, it shall not be long before that fine smoking apparatus changes owners, if no better luck await me.' Thus laudably resolved, I hovered about the tent, and reconnoitred its localities, when the smooth-faced boy observing me,exclaimed, Holloa! you black rascal! what the devil do you do here? come this way.' .'-' Yes massa,' I answered; the same time advancing towards him. "Then you understand English-do you?' said he.-'Oh, yes,' replied I, as well as you do.'-'I dare say you do,' said the young wiseacre, with a knowing air,- (you must doubtless have observed, Sahib, that your raw travellers, and especially the beardless youngsters who come to India as cadets, always think themselves gifted with extraordinary penetration and wit, which confer on them, they suppose, the privilege of treating all whom they consider their inferiors as knaves and fools. It makes me chuckle when I reflect how often this self-complacency and ill-timed insolence have facilitated my views upon their purses and property-but to proceed :) I dare say you do,' said he, and thieving too to perfection; but what do you want prying about my tent here!' I told him that I wanted employment. 'Good,' said he, but what can you do? Can you steal a horse ?'—' Ah, no, Massa,' answered I, you are too hard upon your poor servant.'-'In what then do you excel!' asked he, can you run?'

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Run!' said I, yes, like a buck!'

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whereupon, making a sudden snatch at his silver surpoose, arrackdar, and mouth-piece, of which I possessed myself in an instant, I took to my heels, and was out of sight in the twinkling of an eye. Horses were soon saddled, and in pursuit of me. I had worn until this time a large beard, and the dress of an old man; but finding myself too closely followed by the enemy, I threw my disguise as well as my booty into a dry well, and then, retracing my steps with great deliberation, I met my pursuers with apparent unconcern. The young Sub, almost mad with rage that he should have been so completely outwitted, eyeing me as I came up, without recognising me, asked, with breathless anxiety, if I had seen a person running in that direction. What! the fellow with a long beard?' replied I; yes, I met him about five hundred yards off, and saw him take horse by the tree which you see yonder.' This was enough; off went the whole party helter skelter in the direction I had pointed out to them, while I, intent on more certain game, made with rapid strides towards young master's tent. Here I found a single bearer only, and him I desired to take some ropes to his master without delay, to bind the thief, whom I had seen him catch. Off started the bearer, leaving me to keep watch over his employer's property. This I did with great caution until he was fairly out of sight, and then breaking open Massa's camel trunks, I extracted therefrom a hundred and fifty rupees, (which, I need scarcely observe, were all that I could find) and a few other trifles not worth mentioning--such as a watch, a silver snuffbox, two gold rings, and the like. All these I arranged in a very snug and portable little dressing-case, and scampered off towards Loodeanna, with my prize, as fast as my legs would carry

me.

"Thus ended, to my credit as well as profit, my first business transaction. But I had not yet fully accomplished my designs on this pert and conceited stripling, who, as I had reason to believe, had still in his possession numerous little articles which might be useful to myself or my friends. The next morning, therefore, I repaired to the station of Loodeanna, and had the satisfaction of seeing my victim enter, with dejected countenance, into the cantonments. I passed him without being recognised, and gave him one of my best salaams. Shortly after this I

sported a fine pair of red whiskers, with moustachios of the same colour, and tendered my services as a choke ydar (watchman), to guard his property and person against the tricks of the petty cantonment pilferers. I was fortunate enough to be accepted, and the very following night, when he was boozing with his new companions at the mess, I took a fancy to his doublebarrelled gun and a pair of beautiful pistols, which were nicely packed together in a case. I wish all officers would be equally careful, it would save poor thieves a vast deal of trouble; and I really must say, in favour of the young gentleman of whom I am speaking, that he certainly kept his little valuables in very neat and portable order. But I am straying from my story, and I fear shall exhaust your patience.

"I took a fancy, as I said before, to the gun and pistols, and, of course, therefore, did, not hesitate to take them into my own keeping without delay. Having deposited my new acquisition in a place of safety, I began to reflect on the best way of disposing of myself, and it very naturally occurred to me that it would not be particularly desirable to show my face again at my new master's; indeed, it seemed pretty obvious, that if I had any thing further to do at Loodeanna, it should be accomplished, with all practicable despatch. I, therefore, left the station at once, and went, with two of my companions, and drew up the silver surpoose, clothes, &c. from the well where they were deposited; but, about midnight, as I knew that the general had invited a large party, I returned to Loodeanna by bye-roads, and assuming the dress of a Khitmutgar, I made direct for the general's cock-house, and mixed, without suspicion, with the servants engaged for the occasion. Here, before I took my leave, I managed to increase my possessions by the addition of a tolerably good-looking camel-hair cloak, belonging to one of the party, and a few silver spoons, &c. which were lying about as though in want of a proprietor. But to say the truth, I was greatly disappointed in this affair, for I had expected a much richer booty, and this, I was well aware, was my last chance in Loodeanna. The cloak, to be sure, was a decided prize, it being an article which I absolutely stood in need of for my own personal comfort, for the winter season was fast approaching; but as to spoons, they are not held in much estimation by

those who know the use of their fingers at meals. When melted down, however, they served to make bangles for my children, and, as one cannot in this world always expect the full completion of one's wishes, I was obliged to be contented.

"Having quitted Loodeanna, and having been concerned in innumerable adventures similar to these which I have related, in other places, with varied success, my cast of features, however skilfully disguised, became at length a little too well known in the different cantonments; so, as 1 had now a numerous family, for whose maintenance it was absolutely necessary that I should be industriously occupied, and had acquired a high reputation among my comrades for courage and craft, I resolved on taking entirely to the road for the future, not only as relieving me, for the time, from the fear of detection and apprehension, respecting which I began to entertain some qualms, but also as presenting the advantage of a more extensive sphere of action, in which my comprehensive and enterprising genius might be adequately employed.

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My first adventure on the road," continued the grinning convict," you may perhaps think worthy of relation, as it will serve at once as a proof how easily the English are gulled in this part of the world, and as one reason out of many, why we always prefer robbing them in preference to our countrymen. One morning, at a very early hour, I was on the scout, and met an old officer riding towards Loodeanna. I liked the looks of this grey-headed veteran, as well as the splendid appearance of his retinue. There were no half-clad, halfstarved followers, such as your poor devils of lieutenants hire, but pampered, well-dressed menials, who did credit to their keep and clothes. Before this cavalcade reached me I turned towards Loodeanna, and walked slowly on. I was in the disguise of a mendicant priest, with two baskets tied on the end of two sticks, such as pilgrims here carry on their journies. On the old general's passing me, I gave him the usual greeting, and asked for alms; but not a single pice could I extract from him, and I was told by an impudent fellow of a chupprassee to furruck, (get out of the way. This order I obeyed with seeming respect, and, drawing back a short distance to let the old curmudgeon pass, I joined in with the servants in the rear, from whom I learnt

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that their master was a general. So much the better,' thought I; I may have a rare haul here, if I manage matters well. Resolved to take active measures immediately I slunk behind, and withdrew to a spot where I knew I should find a party of my own tribe. Here I changed my dress, and instantly started again to overtake the noble general, carrying on my head some fowls and chickens for sale. I found the old gentleman seated at breakfast under a tree; but it was sometime before I could strike a bargain with him. At last, however, I agreed to let him have my whole stock for a rupee, which he told me to get from the sirdar-bearer. Thus commissioned, I went to a large double pole-tent to demand my money, and imagine my delight, Sahib, when the incautious bearer pulled out a huge bag of rupees! This was no doubt intended to impress me with a high idea of his consequence. Some delay now occurred, in consequence of this trusty treasurer's claiming, as his own perquisite, four anas as dustoorec (custom), which he insisted on being deducted from the rupee that he was to pay me. This imposition 1 affected to resist, in order to gain time; and during the interval thus afforded me, I availed myself of the opportunity of examining how every thing was arranged in the tent, with a view to future operations. The negociation concluded, I went and salaamed the general, who told me I might call again when I had any more such "bargains to offer.

"I returned two or three times after this, variously disguised, and with different commodities. On one of these visits I found that the general, having over-gorged himself at tiffen, had lain down to sleep, and I was delighted to observe that his bedstead rested on the edges of two camel-trunks, which I could not doubt contained valuable property of some kind or other. My future plans were now arranged. I returned to my own party, dressed myself with neatness, revisited the general, and representing myself as the zemindar of the village, asked him if he did not require some chokeydars for the night, for that he was now in a part of the country notorious for the robberies committed by the desperate Bhattees. No sooner did the gallant veteran hear the word Bhattee mentioned than he ordered me to procure him six watchmen immediately. These were soon found, in six of my tried companions, who, at my bidding, were speedily on the spot, These trusty

guardians, I arranged, should be stationed outside the tent, while the general's sepoys, were desired to form a chain round the whole of his servants and baggage. The noble general had, I suppose, taken a few extra glasses of wine that evening to keep up his spirits, for I had not posted my six men more than an hour before he began snoring most lustily. For the next two hours nothing was to be heard but continual challenging. This apparent vigilance on the part of the hired chokeydars, deluded the sepoys into a belief that their master was amply guarded without their assistance, and they therefore very coolly dropped off to sleep, one after another. Having walked my rounds, and convinced myself that they were all sound, I returned to the tent of the snoring general, and with the aid of my companions, taking each of us a corner of the bed, we, with great caution, raised the commander, bed and all, off his trunks, and deposited him quietly in another part of the room. Scarcely had we placed the old snoring general on terra firma when he turned over, gave a grunt, and said something about more wine. All this time we were making ready for a bolt: again all was quiet, save the calling of some spies 1 had outside to keep the course clear. We seized the camel trunks, and were in the act of conveying them away, when the old boy was seized with a violent fit of sneezing; every sneeze ran through our veins like boiling lead. Again he went to sleep and snored aloud. We had got the trunks to the aperture which we had cut in the side of the tent, when one of my faithful companions stumbled over the foot of the sirdar-bearer, who grumbled out something we did not understand. When outside, we heard the old general calling chedah, his sirdah, who always replied:-'I am coming, Sahib, I am coming, Sahib.' All was again as still as the grave, not even the solitary step vibrated on the cold night air. The general being thus disposed of, it is perfectly unnecessary for me to add that we soon conveyed both his trunks and ourselves from his neighbourhood. By this affair we divided cash to the amount ofthree hundred rupees each, besides various valuables both in gold and sil

ver.

"In this manner," continued the narrator, "I went on practising for several years with tolerable success, and it will need only a few words to inform you how I was caught at last. I had be

come so well known and so formidable in the neighbourhood which I generally frequented, that my person was advertised, and a price set on my head. Several unfortunates, supposed to be me, bad in consequence been fired at and wounded; and, therefore, as a chance shot may kill the devil, I thought it wise to absent myself for a time from my old haunts, and resolved to take a professional trip to the station of Cawnpore. Here I was concerned in a robbery on the premises of an English merchant, ([ had always a special liking for the English,) and was just in the act of getting very comfortably off with my booty, when, not having thoroughly reconnoitered the premises, I found myself suddenly landed at the bottom of a dry well. From this trap there was no possibility of escape. I was soon dragged out, and taken before the judge, who, as a reward for many meritorious achieve ments, ornamented me with the badges which I now wear. I have still, however, a trick or two left, and do not live without hope, as I have a device in my head, which, should it succeed, will soon restore ine to my friends, when, Sahib, should you be travelling in my way, with plenty of money in your possession, I should be happy to try my skill on you."

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BLANCHE ROSE.

Continued from page 168.

THAT night before the moon went down, Rose knew how she was cleared --but long she lay and wept upon his feet and would not be comforted; and when at last her strength and mind returned, it was in the strength of her despair, to fly to the bishop, and declare the truth; the hand of Raymond held her like an infant on the grass, but she had no hearing for his words, and would but wring her hands, and cry to be released to do him justice, till she sunk exhausted upon the turf. He watched by her through the night, and in the morning, when her spirits ebbed away and the strength of her delirium was past, she was subdued by his tears, and swore upon his hand. The light came into his face and he kissed her and rose up-"You never broke your word," said he; "now I will leave you?"

On St. Bride's-day at noon, the Earl surrounded by all the chivalry and beauty of Languedoc, stood at the high altar, where he had done, his penance.

Blanche Rose bent before the priest in the white bridal amice, her pale brow glistening with pearls and gems, and the white flower shining like a star in the long glossy tresses that fell upon her neck for the last time.* The Earl put the ring upon her finger, the priest set the coronet upon her brow, and the heralds cried her, Countess of Toulouse, at the high cross, amidst the shouts of the people, and the waving of ten thousand caps.

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All the city was in a transport, for the constancy "of the bright lady of the world," and the self justice of her supposed traitor knight. Certainly," said the vicar of St. John, "I think him greater for this repenting, than if he had never had tache or spot, not to speak of the ninety and nine in the wilderness; he had then been but a puisnie saint, now he is lith and blood like to you and me, but so as you and I never shall be, the greatest mortal man that ever quelled sinful flesh."

A week of pomp and pageant, and all that the olden time held gay and splendid, past through Toulouse like a night's masque, and again all returned to the quiet sunshine and still business of a simple summer's day.

The Countess lived in deep seclusion, partly for that the face of man was become terrible to her, partly for her feeble state, which might not suffer ceremony and fatigue. The leaves were falling, the birds had ceased to sing, and the sun looked sad and still upon the yellow fields, when the unconscious cause of her sorrow was presented to the barons of Languedoc in the great hall of Toulouse; "I do not wrong them," said Raymond, to its heart-broken mother, as she wept at his feet,

My blood runs in the veins of none living; there is none to claim the right

you shall make him worthy to hold the sword and the coronet of a brave people, and God and their service shall give him right, better than a name."

It was the virgil of the cross; the night was dark and still upon Toulouse. The quiet streets were silent and empty, and all lights had gone out, except here and there a red solitary can

*As late as the 17th century long hair was only worn by unmarried ladies, and it was closely confined under the coif or crestine as soon as they became matrons. It was remarked as an impudent assumption, that the beautiful, but scandalous Countess of Essex (in the reign of James VI.), wore loose hair after her

infamous repudiation of her husband, and intrigue with the Earl of Rochester.

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