ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XLVI, (Continued from last week)
No one slept in the boat. It was many hours after Cursun slipped into the water and swam towards the shore with powerful strokes. Would he come back? What if he were apprehended and tortured to reveal where he came from? How long should they wait for him? Questions plagued the minds of the men as they waited anxiously for his return.

It was well past midnight when the men spotted a phosphorescent glow moving towards them. It was Cursun. With sigh of relief the men helped him into the boat. Cursun lay on the floor boards for some time, recovering his breath after the long swim. At length he spoke.

“We are in a place called Cuddalore, land of the Tamils. The men we saw in the morning were convicts from the Central Jail. But most of them are mentally deranged or petty criminals. But we shall be easily identified if we enter the town.

“What shall we do then? Should we weigh anchor and move away?” There was despair in the voices of the men. Have come all the way only to be arrested again and sent back to the islands?

“I have made some enquiries,” Cursun continued.

“Just a little towards north lies Pondicherry, a French territory. The British have no jurisdiction there. You remember the ships that used to smuggle rum and guns into Nicobar? They used to come from there. I have spoken the crews once. They said many fugitives from British law find sanctuary there.

“Hoist the sails then. Let’s set sail immediately,” one of the men shouted.
“Not so fast my friend,” Cursun replied. “The sea is full of British ships. The two countries fought a bitter was earlier and are rivals in business. We will be spotted and caught. We must strike out on land.

“What about the boat?” Hemraj spoke finally.

“There’s a river emptying into the sea just ahead. We must enter it now and scuttle the boat. And then we just walk along the sea shore till we reach Pondicherry. So long we don’t use the roads or the railways we will be safe.

“You take the tiller then. Up men! Ship your oars. Give way gently.

Without a word the men took their places on the thwarts and bent their backs. With Cursun at the helm the boat glided gently towards the shore. The high tide took them over the sand bar into the river. They could see a huge bungalow on one side, with many lights. Giving a wide berth to it they approached a point where the water was quite deep. After all the men stepped on shore Cursun and Hemraj let boat drift back into the mid stream. There they knocked the bottom out of the boat with their axe. As the boat sank they swam back to the shore.

There was still a couple of hours time before day break. The men were tired and hungry. But there was no time to lose. In the dim starlight they started walking towards the north, looking at the Big Dipper in the clear sky and finding the Pole star. They bent down and took the sand in their hands. It was the soil of their motherland. They still couldn’t believe they were actually walking on it. Before day break they entered a thick mango grove. Quietly the men separated and found suitable trees to take rest. They will start their trek when the sun goes down again. The ripe mangoes would satisfy their hunger till then. ( To be continued…)

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XLV, (Continued from last week)

Nekram’s story added another worry to Hemraj’s already overburdened mind.

First it was Harpal’s admission of heading for Ferozepur, and now Nekram’s desire to be captured and taken back to Port Blair to be reunited with his beloved Anjoo. Over and above this was the tremendous responsibility of guiding their frail craft to the mainland coast of India.

Dark clouds started gathering overhead, so low as if one could touch them. The monsoon was still at its peak. The seas turned slate grey and rose in mountainous swells. It became dark like night. The whaler rose and fell moving in the direction Hemraj guided it. With the boat under full sail the men leaned against the bulwarks and rested. Their minds too were filled with thoughts of arrival and dispersal. They lost track of the time they spent at sea.

Debideen gave a loud shout suddenly. “I see a light … it’s gone now … there it is again.”

Hemraj handed the tiller to Bhaman Singh and stood up. In the gathering darkness he saw what appeared to be a flash. Then it flashed again, at the same spot. Hemraj knew what it meant. A lighthouse! They’re getting closer to land.

The lighthouse could still be miles away. There might be rocks there. They will have to approach during the day to avoid being smashed up on the rocks.

Hemraj asked for the lead sounding line. They could not find the bottom. Keeping the lighthouse to the starboard Hemraj sailed for another two hours before total darkness descended on them. The light was brighter now, and looked closer. Another sounding showed the bottom at nine fathoms. The sails were brought down. The anchor stowed in the bows was taken out and dropped. After short time they could feel the anchor taking a grip on the sea bed. The sea also abated a bit. After a light meal themen lay down in their places, waiting for day break. Are they going to touch a part of India or Ceylon? What kind of people are they going to meet? What would be their language? Many thoughts plagued their minds. The boat rolled gently in the swells as it swung on the anchor cable.

“Do you remember Hamid Khan,” Debideen asked suddenly.

“Which Hamid Khan?The Kabuli?” Hemraj asked.

“Yes. He was on the same ship as I was, in 1861. He got 14 years for possession of stolen property, a really harsh sentence. He came from a respectable Kabul family. The sentence was somehow reduced to 7 years and he went back. He lives in Kabul now.

“What does it mean for us? What kind of person is he?” Sheobrat asked.

“Hamid Khan’s brother Abdul Rahman Khan is an old and trusted servant of Amir Dost Mohammed Khan, the King of Afghanistan. Do you know that the King had written a letter to the Lt. Governor of Bengal requesting for the release of Hamid Khan?

“We used to meet sometimes, and he would talk about a conspiracy to implicate him in a false case by some of his business rivals. What do you know about him?

“Hamid Khan was engaged in mercantile transactions, visiting many countries. In 1859 he came to Calcutta and established a small trading post there. One day some people brought 50 pieces of cloth to him for sale, saying they purchased them at an auction. As Hamid knew them as brokers who acted as agents for the merchants of Khorasan he unsuspectingly bought the fifty pieces at rupees four apiece. He paid 100 rupees in cash and gave a note for the other 100 and entered their names in his books as Gopal and Kanhaiya.

“In the evening two English officers came to Hamid’s house and asked about the transaction. Being an honest man Hamid narrated the whole story and showed them the cloth. The officers then brought Gopal and Kanhaiya who denied having sold the goods. But on being questioned they gave their names as Brijnath and Munnoo. In the meantime the owner of the goods arrived and recognized them as his own. Hamid was arrested and locked up.

“The Andaman Penal colony had just been opened and there was urgent need for able-bodied convicts for developing the place. Poor Hamid, young and well-built, got 14 years for a trivial offence and put on the same ship in which I too was.

“Later it was discovered that Brijnath and Munna were two old thieves who regularly stole goods from the Railway Office. They too were sentenced to transportation.

“It was then the request for his early release was received from the King. The case was examined again and Hamid was released. He is believed to be in the court of the King of Afghanistan now.

“Well, what are you hinting at?” Sheobux Mina asked.

“I was very close to Hamid. He offered me asylum in Afghanistan once I get my release, or escape. The British will have no powers there. We can get some respectable employment and live as free men. The Afghans are nice people.”

Debideen’s story gave some solace to the men. Instead of the usual destination of Nepal, Afghanistan seemed a better place. But, how to get there? That would not be easy. (To be continued …)

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XLIII, (Continued from last week)

After the fire-power demonstration to the hapless Jarawas at the firing range Cadell and Birch rode back to Aberdeen. Cadell wanted to inspect the barracks at Atlanta Point and interview some convicts who may provide information about Hemraj.

Capt. Birch reported a suspicious looking letter to Cadell the day before. He was going through the letters received by the mail steamer, addressed to the convicts. All letters written and received by the convicts were opened and read as a matter of routine by the jail authorities. A set of translators were readily available to decipher those written in the many tongues spoken in Port Blair.

The letter was written in Pustho and addressed to one Shah Alum. What aroused suspicion was that Shah Alum was killed by a convict three years earlier. The letter, posted in a remote village of the North West Frontier Provinces took a long time to reach Port Blair. The writer seemed to be unaware of the death of Shah Alum. When the Pushto translator translated the letter there was a mention of Hemraj in it. The writer, a released convict wanted to know how Hemraj was, and when he was likely to be released.

Cadell wanted to visit the barracks where Shah Alum lived and find out if he could get any information about Hemraj.

“Sir, this is the barrack where Shah Alum was murdered,”  Birch pointed out.

“Who killed him? And what was the motive?” Cadell asked.

“Sir, that was three years ago, in 77. A convict named Jagan escaped from this barracks. Shah Alum was the First Tyndal in charge of the barracks. Jagan returned three days later, in the early morning hours when the convicts were having their morning ‘congee’ and smashed the skull of Shah Alum with an axe he stole from the kitchen while escaping.

“But, what’s more interesting was that Jagan confessed to killing another man that same morning, while on his way to kill Shah Alum.

“That sounds interesting. Was he also a convict petty officer, like Shah Alum” Cadell asked.

“No, sir. He was just the watchman at the JungleeGhat brickfields. Jagan had no idea who the man was. When he tried to stop him as he was walking suspiciously in the brickfields Jagan stuck him a blow. Then he took his blanket, covered himself with it and entered the barracks unobserved. In fact he was not sure whether the man was dead or alive. He simply told MrTuson that he struck the owner of the blanket near JungleeGhat. When the police went there and checked they found the dead body of BishamberNath, the night watchman posted there. His skull was also smashed.

Cadell and Birch stopped their horses in front of Barack No. 7. A convict orderly came running to take the reins of the horses as they dismounted.

“This was the same place where Shah Alum was killed sir, in fact this is the very room,” Birch explained as he showed the Petty Officer’s room in the barracks.

“Jagan sneaked into the room, locked the room from inside and hit Shah Alum repeatedly on the head with the axe. His brains were scattered all over the floor here. But, the surprising thing was only one person, Turk Ali, a prison orderly, tried to come to Alum’s rescue. All others stood and watched.

“Well, that shows he had accomplices,” Cadell said.

“None of the people reported his escape also. It was discovered during the roll call in the evening. The theft of the axe was also not reported. In fact, Shah Alum seemed to expect the attack. He ordered a search for Jagan, and was very much agitated the day he escaped.

“Inspector Baghail Singh investigated the case and submitted a report. In that Jagan confessed to killing Shah Alum and gave the reason as harassment. He said, “On various occasions prior to the incident Shah Alum called me a badmash. He was frequently taking boys to court and getting them punished by framing false charges against them…”

“But, later, he gave a startling revelation. He said, “I came to know that Shah Alum was in the habit of committing unnatural offence on a Madrassee boy, but I didn’t see the act personally”.

However, Jagun’s statement, just before his execution was different:

“When I escaped I thought that in case I am recaptured Shah Alum will punish me, and he will force me to do hard labour, and therefore better to kill him, and petty officers will take this as a warning and will not exact hard labour from the boys, and to die is preferable than to lead a miserable existence…”.

“Capt. Protheroe was the Deputy Superintendent at that time. He ordered that the barracks should be well-lit up in the night and the ‘boys’ gang’ should be separated from the regular convicts.

“I don’t want such incidents happening during my tenure Bill. Please ensure that proper watch is kept in the barracks during the nights. Let’s speak to Turk Ali, who was the only one who came to the rescue of Shah Alum, and find out something about the author of this letter.

“Yes sir, I already sent for him. He’s now promoted to Second Tyndal. You can see that tall Pathan coming this way, that’s him.

Cadell and Birch sat on cane chairs in front of the barracks to interview Turk Ali. ( To be continued…)

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XLII, (Continued from last week)

Only Nekram remained silent while the men sang. He sat huddled in a corner on the floorboards, head slumped on his knees.

Hemraj noticed the change in Nekram’s demeanor ever since the whaler entered the open sea. First he thought it was seasickness. But on a gentle sea, with a fair breeze there was no need to sit and sulk.

Nekram belonged to the early batches of convicts brought to the Islands in the 1860s. He was very young at that time, convicted, as it was with most cases, of murder. He was a handsome looking lad, with chiseled features. Long years of pulling the oars as a convict boatman made his body lean and hard. He was quite popular among the female convicts, who occasionally boarded the ferry to work on Ross.

Hemraj remembered that Nekram had applied to the Chief Commissioner some years ago for permission to marry. For some reason the permission was not granted. Many thought it was because he did not have a house of his own. He went regularly to the matrimonial parades held at Shadipur, where the female convicts could come and look at the men. Once a choice was made the Chief Commissioner conducted a thorough enquiry into the antecedents of both parties, including their religion, caste and family history. Sometimes it turned out that one of the parties already had a spouse living in India. Their cases were rejected.

Hemraj passed on the tiller to Debi Deen and moved over to Nekram’s side. He placed an arm over his shoulder and pressed. Nekram looked up. His eyes were full of tears.

“What’s this at a time when there’s rejoicing all round? Is there any problem bhai?” Hemraj asked.

Nekram’s answer was more tears and loud sobbing.

Hemraj hugged him tightly, running his hand through his hair.

“Tell me what it is. Don’t worry. Haven’t we been together all these years? What’s it?”

“What to say Hemraj bhai. I shouldn’t have joined this escape bid at all. It was the heat of the moment, and all that torture we endured at the hands of the cruel jamadars that made it appear to be the right thing to do. But when I look back I feel I should have stayed back.”

“Oh! Now I know you left something behind. Your heart! Am I right?” You never told me about it. Or else I would never have forced you to join us,” Hemraj said.

“Yes bhai, I left my heart behind. I left my beloved Anjoo. We have been in love for many years. I was hoping to reapply for marriage, now that a new Chief Commissioner had taken over.

“Why was the earlier application turned down? You have a wife and children back home?”, Hemraj asked.

“It’s the other way bhai. It’s a long story.

“Please tell me. It’ll ease your pain. Perhaps we can find a solution. Come on. Open up,” Hemraj prompted.

Nekram leaned his head on the gunwale and started his tale.

“Anjoo and I came to Port Blair on the same convict ship. While boarding the ship at Calcutta itself I noticed her. Everyone notice her, actually. She was just a child, perhaps thirteen years or so. And pregnant!

“The ship doctor initially refused to take her on board due to her condition. However, he was assured that there’s still a month or more for her confinement.

“Once on board the chains of the convicts, except those considered the most dangerous, were removed. We could come on to the deck to get some fresh air.

“It was then I first met Anjoo. She was terribly seasick. I was watching her from a distance. Her eyes were swollen due to crying. She couldn’t even stand as she had not eaten anything after we boarded the ship.

“As I watched she managed to get up with a great effort, as if trying to vomit over the ship’s side, but got a leg over it with the intention to jump. I ran to her and held her. She struggled violently and bit my arm, but I held on. Once she calmed down I made her lie down on the deck, gave her some water and forced her to eat a ship’s biscuit.

“I somehow convinced her against taking her own life, at least for the sake of the life that was growing inside her. I told her how, being very young she could start a new life again in Kala Pani. After long persuasion she gave up the idea of suicide.

“That’s how our friendship developed. Slowly, during our meetings over the years she revealed her story to me.

Hemraj leaned against the wall of the boat and stretched. He realized that the singing had stopped and the others too were listening. The boat was running free, with the wind behind her. A hush fell over the boat, except for the occasional flapping of the sail and the gurgle of water under the boards.

“Anjoo was sentenced to death for murder,” Nekram started.

“She was married to a man much older than herself at a very young age in the Dinajpore district of Bengal. She had not even reached puberty then. She was sent to her in-laws where she worked more like a slave. Her husband and his mother regularly beat her.

“It was during those times she came under the influence of Naseeruddeen. He too was much older than her. But it was easy for him to win her affection by sympathizing with her.

“Slowly the relationship developed into love. When they realized thatAnjoo became pregnant Naseeruddeen proposed they runaway. But it would not be easy to hide from her powerful in-laws. Naseeruddeen told her that it would be easier if her husband was killed in such a way that it appeared like a natural death. He knew a man who could supply them with a poison that served the purpose. All that Anjoo had to do was to mix it in his food and serve it to him.

“With the fear of discovery of her condition increasing every day Anjoo agreed to Naseeruddeen’s plan. She mixed the poison in the food her husband ate. Contrary to her expectations her husband died a most painful death. The police arrested Anjoo. Interrogation revealed the accomplice. Naseeruddeen tried to flee but was arrested and tried. Both were sentenced to death for willful and pre-meditated murder. Anjoo’s pregnancy also progressed along with the trial.

“Naseeruddeen was hanged in what was to be one of the last public hangings. Anjoo’s execution was delayed due to her pregnancy.

“It was at that time a man named McKenna entered her life. She only knew him as ‘Keno saab’, but I found out about him later. Angus McKenna was a Baptist missionary at Dinajpore. He was a very kind-hearted man. As she was lodged in the Dinajpore jail McKenna started visiting her and started taking interest in her case. Her young age and innocence made him take pity on her. He wrote a long letter to the Hon’ble Ashley Eden, then Secretary to the Lt. Governor of Bengal praying for clemency. He requested that the death sentence be commuted to transportation for life to the Andamans where she may have a chance to start life anew.

“When the case came up for hearing in the Calcutta High Court the judges felt that her lover, many years older than her, exercised a powerful influence over her. As he has already been hanged publicly they recommended that her death sentence be commuted to transportation.

“Anjoo was not aware of McKenna’s clemency petition. As she waited for death she received the news of the commutation. She still considers McKenna as a god, who gave her a new life.

“The child born to her was adopted. After completing her sentence she has also attained self-supporter status. We were both planning to apply again to Cadellsaab for marriage … well, when this happened”, Nekram ended his tale wiping his tears.

“But she’s a Muslim bhai, and you are a Hindu. Do you thing the CC would agree to it? Anyway, let us talk about it later. Eat something first and let us reach the mainland. We’ll find a way out.

Hemraj’s words brought some solace to Nekram.

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XLI, (Continued from last week)

As soon as the whaler cleared the coral banks that formed the last barrier between the islands the open sea the sails were hoisted. A gentle breeze filled them. Hemraj trimmed the sails and set the boat on a course heading towards the general direction of India.

Once in the open sea the wind picked up. The gentle swells became choppy waves. The men were constantly on the move trimming the sails and shifting their position to keep the boat on an even keel. Soon the boat picked up speed. The islands started receding behind them. The monsoon showers came in heavy gusts, lashing the men in the open boat.

“Ship ahead!”,Sheobrat shouted.

Through the curtain of heavy rain a ghostly apparition of a ship appeared. It seemed adrift. The first thought of the men was to change course and turn back towards land where they may find shelter in the creeks. But Hemraj motioned them not to panic. There was something unnatural in the way the ship moved which aroused his curiosity. As they drew closer they could see it was an old sailing ship. It was partly rigged, the sails hanging loose and flapping in the wind. Its anchor hung halfway down, dragging in the water. No soul appeared on the deck.

Hemraj ordered the sails to be lowered. Slowly he guided the whaler alongside the ship. Harpal offered to go onboard. Like a monkey he clambered up the anchor chain on to the deck.

The ship appeared to have been abandoned in a hurry. There was no sign of a struggle or skirmish. The hatches were all tightly battened still. Coils of rope were neatly stowed at their proper places. Harpal spotted a rope ladder and let it down over the starboard side. He also threw down two ropes for making fast the whaler to one of the capstans on the ship.

Hemraj came onboard and surveyed the ship. He heard stories of ships that carried the deadly plague. Cautiously he went down to the captain’s cabin astern. On the table lay a chart and several brass navigational instruments. A sextant and a hand held compass were found in their cases.

“Let us repair the ship and sail it, instead of the whaler. We can perhaps loot some ships, just like the British used to do earlier”, one of the men said.

“You are a fool to do so”, Hemraj reprimanded the man. “We stand no chance against the steamers. We’ll be caught in no time and hanged. Moreover we are not familiar with handling such a big ship. Let us take the charts and the compass. Don’t touch anything. Don’t go down into the holds. They might be contaminated. Clean the deck so that no one should know we have boarded her.

The men went down the rope ladder. Harpal hauled it up, laid it in its place and went down the anchor chain into the waiting whaler.

After pushing away from the hulk the sails were hoisted again. Hemraj looked at the prismatic compass he brought from the ship. It would be most useful. He learnt basic navigation from Mr Portman. The chart was not of much use but the compass would certainly give them a sense of direction once they were in the open sea. He never learnt to use the sextant.

The ghost ship continued its drift towards an unknown destination while the whaler moved swiftly and confidently towards its goal. Soon the stove in the bottom of the boat was lit and rice kept for boiling.

Hemraj took the tiller and held the boat on a steady course. The sails were set. The men cheered up and broke into song. Soon they would be on the soil of their motherland. They never dreamt they would ever return to it alive. How wonderful to set foot on the home soil again! ( To be continued …)

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XXXIII,(Continued from last week)

“Did you say Ferozepur district?”, Hemraj asked suddenly, turning towards Harpal.

The men were all sitting around the fire after listening to Goodur’s story, narrated by Harpal.

Harpal froze. Did he say something wrong? He tried to read the face of Hemraj, but, as usual, it was inscrutable.

Hemraj spoke after a full minute of silence.

“Capt. Wimberley was the District Superintendent of Police in Ferozepur prior to his posting to the Andamans….

The words fell like a bombshell among the stunned audience.

They all understood the implication of the statement. It means that Capt. Wimberley still has many informers there, who would report the return of a runaway from the Andamans.

All the members knew that Hemraj was close to Capt. Wimberley. He took special care of his sickly son Reginald Gordon Wimberley, known all over the settlement as Reggie Baba. He was a loveable lad of about 14 years of age, but weak in constitution. The Island climate did not suit him. He was also lame in one leg.

Capt. Reginald Justus Wimberley was known for his quiet efficiency in running the prison administration. Unlike the boisterous Capt. Birch he went about his job with utmost sincerity. Coming from an impoverished British family whose ancestors squandered their inheritance in gambling and other vices, he hoped to make a fortune for himself and retire to either Australia or New Zealand where huge land grants were being allotted to loyal ex-India men.  When he retires as a Colonel in 1887, after a service of 37 years in the colonies, he would surely be considered for a good sinecure. With this hope he went about developing large plantations which would make the settlement self-sufficient in vegetables and crops. He went to Ceylon specially to bring the cuttings and seedling of many exotic species of plants that grew there.

Hemraj was always welcome in the house of the Wimberleys. As a ferryman he was constantly in demand as they chose to stay on the other side of the bay. A small village of the name Wimberley gunj was already coming up there.

Wimberley’s wife Minnie was a gracious hostess who did not discriminate between convicts and free men.  A hot cup of tea would be ready as soon as Hemraj entered the house. She was loved by one and all in the settlement. Already the stretch of sea beyond Viper came to be known as Minnie Bay.  During the time he waited for taking them to Ross she would narrate to Hemraj stories from their earlier postings in India.

However, the Wimberley’s were not lucky with their children. Soon after their marriage Minnie gave birth to a still-born daughter. Now Reggie was a weakling and lame. But the youngest, Charles Francis Irvine, or Charlie as everyone called him, was robust. He wanted to be a soldier, like his father.

Sheobrat spoke up first.

“We know how close you are to the Wimberleys Hem, but he would not hesitate to arrest you and bring you back to the islands. He has no power to countermand the orders of Col. Cadell. We are already dead men. Even if one of us is to be captured we’ll all be hunted down and brought back … to be hanged like dogs on Viper.

Everyone remained silent for some time.

“We must take a solemn oath, with this fire as witness, that we shall under no circumstances betray the whereabouts of the others, in case we are captured. But, we should try never to be captured”, Hemraj said.

Harpal sat crestfallen. He had no alternate plan. Where would he go?

Hemraj spoke again. “We must head for the Princely states — areas that are not controlled by the British. But there are many who are stooges of the British among them. Don’t go to the Nizam’s domains. He’s the biggest admirer of the British, and his Prime Minister Salar Jung. Don’t go to Darbhanga, Tonk, Rewa, Punjab or any of the southern states. Nepal is safe for us, but the entry points are heavily guarded. Burma or the North West Frontier Provinces are safe, but we’ll be easily recognized by our appearance. Change your names. Invent a story of being a travelling mendicant, or a sadhu. Never stay in the same place for more than a month. We must do this for some years at least — till the hunt becomes less hot.

“Also remember, if anyone betrays one of us the others should hunt him down, even to the ends of the earth, and subject him to the most horrible death — more horrible than what awaits us in the Andamans

Hemraj’s words sent a chill down the spines of the men sitting there.

One by one they stretched forth their arms over the fire and swore that they would remain loyal to one another till the end of their lives.

The tide started coming in. The whaler was gently launched. With the addition of one more passenger the boat rode a bit heavily over the monsoon swells. The sails went up and Hemraj turned the bows towards the East, where freedom lay. (To be continued….)

 

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XXXVII

 (Continued after summer break)

 Hemraj’s men quickly built a shelter to spend the night. Harpal showed them a dry spot to cook the food. Hemraj recognized the island as North Reef Island. He used to come sometimes to hunt the whistling teals that abounded on the island. That was one occasion when Mr Portman would give him his shot gun. Every shot brought down the teals in dozens. They would feast on roast teal in the evening. Hemraj regretted not having a shot gun now. But the men can set up some snares on the perches where the birds spent the night.

Harpal sat close to Hemraj, regarding him as his savior. Just when he thought he would die of starvation the boat came as if sent by God. He would like to know what Hemraj’s plans were, once they set out again.

“Bhayyaji, tell me my duties on the boat. I’m ready to do anything. I can pull a good oar. I have some experience in steering the boat also.

“You tell me your plans Harpal”, Hemraj said. “Once we clear the coral reefs on the west it is the open sea. It is not going to be smooth sailing. We are not sure where we are going to land. We don’t know what kind of reception we may get once we touch the shore. Are you prepared to stay with us and face the dangers?

“Bhayya, I’ll stay with you even unto death. Haven’t we all got a fresh lease of life when we were sent to the islands after commutation of our death sentences? I am not afraid of death. I’ll stand by you come what may.

“What is your destination once we reach the mainland Harpal? Do you have anyone who would shelter you? You know how many people who managed to escape, have been recaptured after being betrayed by their own family members and brought back to the islands!”

Harpal was aware that the other members of the group were keenly listening to their conversation. He must convince them that he was not a liability to them.

“I’m sure you all know Goodur, the good convict”, Harpal started. “Well, my village is about five miles from his. Before he gained absolute release, thanks to the recommendations of Gen. Stewart he told me that if I should ever manage to return he would shelter me and give me a job. So my destination would be Ferozepur district.

Hemraj remembered the meeting with UngadeAmey, the Jarawa chiefa few days ago. Goodur got his pardon for capturing the Jarawas and establishing friendly relations with them. He must be a happy man in his own village now.

“But, Goodur is a Muslim. Would he shelter you and not betray you to the police?”,Hemraj’s question was pointed. If Harpal is captured then they would all be rounded up sooner or later.

“No Bhayya, Goodur would never do that. I have full faith in him. Perhaps you don’t know his story. He’s not an ordinary murderer. What he did was an honour killing, under ‘extenuating’ circumstances.

“What do you mean by ‘extenuating’ circumstances?”,Meena asked.

“Well, Goodur belonged to a humble but respectable family in Bustee village in the once prosperous Ferozepur district of undivided Punjab. A devout Muslim, he looked forward to employment in the army in the bustling cantonment town.

“Trouble started when the village strong man’s family sought his sister’s hand in marriage.  Mullah Bhattie was a sirdar, a powerful local leader, but belonging to a different sect.  Marriages between the two sects were taboo.  Goodur’s family turned down the offer.

“One daythe girl suddenly disappeared from home. The family was shocked. Some said it was an elopement while others said she had been kidnapped by Bhattie’s men. Family honour was at stake.

“Goodur gathered some young men and went to the house of Bhattie to demand the return of his sister.  In the ensuing altercation hot words were exchanged and then blows. Suddenly Bhattie lay dead, with a single dagger thrust from Goodur. The family honour was redeemed.

“Immediately Goodur rushed to the nearest police station, presented the murder weapon and reported what had taken place.  He felt that he would be let off with a light sentence as he was only trying to protect the honour of his family.  But the presiding judge, in the light of the new directives from the government, saw in Goodur an able bodied young man who could provide free labour for at least twenty years in the new outpost of the Empire coming up in the Andamans, if he survived.

“Goodur was slapped in irons and put on board the ‘fire-boat’. After sailing for about six days the steamer docked at Chatham. Goodur was among the first batches of convicts brought to the Islands.

“The first thought in his mind was escape.  There were many convict mutineers who were constantly planning escape. Aga, one of the leaders convinced them that there was a land route leading to Burma.  Many escaped but nothing was heard of them. Those recaptured were executed mercilessly by Maj. Walker. Goodur also tried to escape once but returned after a few days of aimless wandering in the jungle. He realised there was no hope of escape.  The only chance was to obtain absolute release for some good action.

“A willing worker, he soon rose to the coveted rank of Jemadar in the convict hierarchy.  He was assigned duties with J.N. Homfray who took over the Andamanese Homes from Rev. Corbyn.

“Soon Goodur became the trusted lieutenant of MrHomfray. He helped Homfray capture Onges and Jarawas and befriend them. It was for this he was granted absolute pardon.  He’s a man of honour and I’m sure he would keep his word.

Hemraj and the others seemed convinced by Harpal’s story. Harpal had just earned himself a place on the boat to freedom.

 ***

 To be continued….

 

 

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XXXVI (Continued from last week)

The Governor General in Council and other members sat around the huge table in Government House, Calcutta. They had before them a file. On it was stenciled in black capitals the legend “EXECUTIONS”.

The Governor General was the first to speak.

“Gentlemen, we’re here to discuss the fate of five people, whose death sentence has been sent to us for confirmation by Col. Tom Cadell. This is not an ordinary case of murderers being sentenced to death, thus getting rid of some unwanted elements of this society, over which we have been, by Divine will, made to rule.

“John, this will be off the record. So, don’t take it in the minutes book.

The writer who sat behind the Governor General nodded.

Governor General continued, “It has become our unwilling duty to cleanse the heathenish society of this vast country by imposing on them our own jurisprudence, to replace their medieval system of justice.

“We have been invested with immense powers of life and death over these multitudes, but we choose to exercise these powers judiciously, unlike the whimsical native princes who sentence their subjects to most horrible punishments like being trampled under the feet of elements or bitten by poisonous serpents. We have chosen the more humane system of hanging them by the neck till dead, knowing that death is instantaneous, preserving the dignity of the human body.

“However, we find that some of our officers use this power with some freedom which shows utter disregard to human life.

“We have earlier condemned the mass executions of convicts by Maj. J.P. Walker in 1858, for attempted escape. This was done without obtaining prior permission from the government.

“We now find that Tom Cadell is following the same trend. You may find, before you, a comparative statement showing the number of people hanged in the 79, during Gen Barwell’s tenure and the number hanged by Cadell till July 80.

The men turned their eyes towards the beautifully calligraphed sheets before them.

Under 1879 they saw the details of executions carried out by Lt. Gen. Barwell. There were only four.

In March 79 Barwell hanged Krishna Nair for the murder of convicts Eswaree Singh and Bhowanee Deen.

In April Bhaktawar was hanged for the attempt to murder of Sunder Koonch. In June Ratia was hanged for the murder of Jhingoo. Kullo was sentence to death for the murder of Chunga but got a reprieve.

In comparison Cadell’s list was longer. He hanged Tokha on the day took over as Chief Commissioner. In February he hanged two: Mahesh Gurrainand Nabu Bepari for unnatural offence and the murder of Tulsi Goalla. In March he hanged Pyaree for the attempt to murder of Dr. Gajendra Chandra Mitter, the 3rd Medical Officer. Ganpat Pano was hanged in April. May saw three people hanged. Toola was hanged for attempt to murder although the SMO certified that the blow was not likely to cause death. Munglee was hanged for murder an Bealalo @ Philip, the Great Andamanese was hanged for the murder of Reala. In June Chunga was hanged for the murder of Kulloo. July, the current month has already seen three hangings – Bhajja, Mulu Singh and Nanha.

“Gentlemen, you have seen the spurt in hangings in Port Blair during the past 6 months. Now we have another recommendation for the hanging of five men.

“None of them have committed murder. Some of them are serving sentences for dacoity and desertion. They are able bodied and served the settlement for many years in various capacities.

“The question is should we do away with their lives for a trivial offence like assault on a prison guard, without causing grievous injury during an attempted escape? At the same time what could be done to discourage the convict from resorting to the desperate attempt of escape?

“I want you to apply your minds to the case and come to a well-judged opinion which will be conveyed to Col. Cadell. The extracts from the convict rolls of the condemned men are also in the folders supplied to you.

Lord Ripon rang a bell on the table. A liveried servant appeared. He said “chai”. In a few minutes uniformed servants steaming tea and cakes while the members went through the documents.

Lord Ripon finished his tea and ran his fingers through his thick beard and cleared his throat – a signal that the men should speak.

The first member spoke. “Your Excellency, it is clear from the documents that none of the men were murderers, professional poisoners or thugs. They have not committed murder. Attempt to escape is very common among those sent to the Andamans. Most of them perish at sea or are killed by the natives. I feel death sentence is too harsh for a crime like this.

Another member spoke.

“But sir, we have seen escape after daring escape taking place from the Andamans. More than 150 men escaped during the past 5 years. Some of them have been recaptured though. This has encouraged more and more convicts to attempt escapes. Unless there is deterrent punishment this will become more frequent. I support Col. Cadell’s decision in asking for capital punishment.

“Your Excellency, the men are yet to be caught. I wonder why Col. Cadellis in such a hurry and wants to sentence them in absentia. I feel he wants to hang them as soon as they are recaptured so that they may not have time to appeal. This seems inhumane and unbecoming of an administrator. It would certainly tarnish our image as the benign rulers of this country. We must remember these matters reach London very soon and there are many MPs ready to catch us on the wrong foot there.

It was apparent that there was no unanimity of opinion among the members about Cadell’s decision.

The Governor General adjourned the meeting till further notice. ( To be continued….)

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XXXV, (Continued from last week)

Cadell read with fascination the story of Nayim Singh and Dulari.

After killing JoharNayim Singh turned towards Dulari, the blood stained sword still in his hand. His looks indicated he wanted an explanation from her.

Dulari was too scared to speak, but, she realized that it was better to make up with him. With sweet words she told how Johar had enticed her into the field and tried to molest her. She told him to forget what had happened and think about the present.

A murder had been committed, and both of them would be found guilty, unless something is done quickly.

When it came to sentencing natives, a judge may not take much time to award them the death penalty. They hatched a plan.Their primary task was to get rid of the body.  They hid it in a shed till nightfall.

Once the Sun had set the pair set to work. They selected a spot in the recently sowed wheat field of Nayim. After marking a rectangular plotthey gently pulled out the wheat stalks from the soft earth and dug a pit.  Then they dragged the body into it and buried it.  On the carefully leveled surface they replanted the wheat stalks just as they stood before they started their work. After the painstaking operation it looked as if nothing actually happened there.

To account for Johar’s sudden disappearance Nayim Singh cut himself in the ankle with his own sword and reported that Johar had attacked him and run away after injuring him.

A search was launched for Johar. Johar’s family suspected something fishy but Nayim Singh’s money power silenced them.  Dulari gave herself totally to Nayim.  The corpse they planted in the field did not trouble them.

Soon the wheat ripened and was harvested.  But, somehow, Nayim did not feel like cutting the wheat on the plot where Johar lay buried. When questioned he gave evasive answers.

Meanwhile Johar’s family got worried at Johar’slong silence. They expected him to return after sometime and make up with Nayim. But Johar’s crippled twin brother Ratheeban suspected that Dulari and Nayim must have got rid of Johar somehow.  In order to find out the truth he pretended great love and affection for Dulari.  He would frequently visit her place and praise her for her virtues. Soon he became a close confidant. He would also ask her sometimes about the uncut plot of wheat in the field.  Meanwhile intelligence revealed that Nayim was having a proper wife in another village. The news so infuriated Dulari that she revealed to Ratheeban what had happened that evening in the wheatfield. She also told him the secret of the uncut wheat.  A jubilant Ratheeban rushed to the police. The plot was dug up and the body exhumed, identified by the clothes and the flute it still clutched in its hand.

 

The trail of Nayim made headlines all over the country.  He was quickly sentenced to transportation for life to Moulmein Jail.  As was the practice in those days the prisoners were handcuffed and marched to the nearest railhead.  Ratheeban followed Nayim’s convoy for ninety miles, jeering him and telling everyone about him. He did not notice that a veiled woman was also following the procession on a pony.

After a year it was reported that Nayim Singh had died in Moulmein Jail of a disease known as ‘atrophia’.  Ratheeban felt that justice had at last been done.  Strangely there was no Dulari in the village to mourn Nayim’s death. She disappeared soon after Nayim’s transportation. The villagers also forgot about Nayim.

Twenty years passed. One day a band of traders passing through the village reported that they had seen Nayim Singh at a mela in Hardwar and had spoken to him.

The news fell upon the villagers like a bomb shell.

Incredible as it sounded it aroused violent anger in Ratheeban.  He set out to investigate the report.  The search led him to a remote village in the Garwhal Himalayas.  One look was enough to convince him that it was indeed Nayim Singh.  He immediately went to the police and reported Nayim as a runaway.

The police arrested the man and questioned him. A second trial was held, creating much more sensation than the first.  Many people felt that the man was a look-alike of Nayim and not the real Nayim.  The accused put up a stout defence quoting many witnesses who would swear that he was not Nayim.  But a clever Ratheeban, before the judges, pulled up the loose trousers of Nayim, and, lo and behold, there was the scar of the self-inflicted sword wound on the ankle! But everyone was puzzled as to how Nayim managed to be in Garwhal after being declared dead in Moulmein twenty years earlier? The prison records clearly showed that he died while serving his sentence.

Meanwhile, reading the reports in the papers a young man from Allahabad came to give witness.  His testimony added an even more bizarre twist to the story.  He told the court that twenty years earlier his family lived in Bareilly.  His father was very sick and dying. One night he overheard his father speaking to a jail officer who happened to be a relative.  The man told his father how he could leave behind a large sum for his family before he died by swapping places with one of the prisoners who was scheduled to arrive in the village the next day. The price was fixed at four hundred rupees, ten pairs of pearls, a pair of gold bangles and three ponies.

That night the young man’s father disappeared.

The next day a bag of money, jewels and three ponies were delivered at his house.  For two days the boy and his mother followed the procession of prisoners on the ponies, speaking to a man wearing a hooded cloak.  The boy’s mother told the escort that she had a brother among the prisoners.  After a tearful parting the boy’s mother shifted from Bareilly to Allahabad.

The hooded prisoner was his father.

The puzzle was now solved.  The woman who followed the convoy in the beginning was Dulari.  Repenting for her betrayal she managed to bribe the prison officials into finding a suitable substitute for Nayim.  After exchanging places with the sick man Nayim escaped and shifted to Garwhal where he started living under an assumed name.  His substitute was taken to Moulmein where he died due to the disease that had already half killed him while in Bareilly.

Nayim Singh was again convicted, for the same crime and again sentenced to transportation for life, this time to the Andamans. Dulari was also sentenced along with him, not for life but seven years for being an accomplice to murder and for giving false evidence.

“What kind of criminals congregate here!” Cadell wondered. He sent for MrWhitby, the Overseer of the Female Jail at South Point.

“Well, Reuben, ensure that female convict Dulari is always under surveillance. See that she never gets to meet the male convicts, especially a man named Nayim Singh.”

“Sure sir, I’ll post Head Warder Guffarun to keep watch over her all the time”, Whitby answered.  (To be continued….)

 

 

 

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier

Part XXXIV, (Continued from last week)

Convict ship SS Satara gave a loud blast on its klaxon as it approached Ross Island.  It was the break of dawn. It will take some time for the ship to come to anchor between Ross and North Point.  But already many people have lined up the sea shore at South Point. They watched the ghostly silhouette of the ship as it crossed the huge orb of the sun rising out of the sea.

Colonel Cadell also watched the ship from the huge windows of Government House on Ross. He rose even before the bugler sounded the reveille and walked to the rear verandah. A huge brass telescope mounted on a tripod stood near the window. Cadell put his eye to the eyepiece and trained the telescope towards the ship. A huge plume of thick black smoke rose from the funnel of the steamer. Cadell scanned the foredeck. The Captain of the ship was already making preparations for landing. Convicts were lined up all along the guardrail, with guards and crew members behind them. The pilot ladder was down awaiting the arrival of Mr Portman who doubled as Harbour Pilot.

Cadell could see that many people were watching the ship form the forecourt of the European Infantry barrack also. He moved to the front. A liveried servant rolled up the blinds.  Cadell could see a huge police presence on Ross jetty.  The ubiquitous Sardar Baghail Singh was standing there, in his starched turban and uniform, the crossbelt and holster gleaming, issuing orders.

It was as if an important person or a dangerous convict was onboard the ship. Cadell, of course knew who was onboard. The amazing escapade of that convict made headlines all over India.

The man’sreputation preceded him long before he was brought to Port Blair.  The Superintendent received special messages about this dangerous convict. He was the only person known to have been sentenced twice for the same crime! He is capable of escaping even from the strictest surveillance.

Cadell had issued strict instructions for the ship to be boarded by the police while it was still at sea and take custody of the convict, and a female convict, his accomplice in murder.  The ship would then slowly progress towards Chatham escorted by the station gunboat and four steam launches.  As soon as the prisoners disembark they should be taken away to Viper prison and lodged in the maximum security cells. All boats and launches should be vacated from Viper jetty. He didn’t want another Hemraj episode.

Once the pilot boarded more launches came alongside the steamer. Dr. Dougall and Capt Birch also boarded the ship. In the open space on the deck stood a man in loose pyjamas and kurta, hands and legs bound in chains.  Other prisoners were also lined up, ready for disembarkation.

In the presence of the curious onlookers Dr. Dougall performed a strange inspection. As two hefty Pathan warders held the man by his arms he slowly lifted the pyjama on his left leg. Then he bent down and ran his hand over an old scar above the ankle, as if to make sure it was real. He mumbled something about an old woman doing the same in an ancient Greek poem. He appeared satisfied and spoke to Capt. Birch, who immediately ordered more irons to be clapped on his legs. The man was led away, under heavy escort to the launch waiting near the companion way.  As soon as the party boarded the boat whisked them away to Viper.

Watching from afar Col. Cadell opened the convict roster before him. It was quite thick, received a few days earlier my the mail steamer.

The convict was Nayim Singh, a rich, powerful landlord from Kumaon.  Twenty years before his arrival in the islands, a strange love triangle was developing in the Kumaon hills.  At its center was Dulari, the most beautiful girl in the village.  At eighteen she was vivacious, quite conscious of her beauty, and its effect on the onlookers.  On either side were her latest suitors, Nayim Singh, the rich landlord and Johar the handsome but penniless young man.  Both professed love to her. Nayim promised unlimited wealth.  Johar tried to charm her with his magical flute on which he played enchanting tunes.  Johar was the more passionate and more handsome, but Nayim was extremely rich, powerfully built, and, dangerous. There was a violent streak in him. Dulari was scared of him.

Dulari developed a mysterious reputation in the village even before Nayim and Joharhad started courting her.  Most of her former suitors died under strange circumstances.  People also wondered from where Dulari got all her fine clothes and expensive jewellery, although she lived in a hut with her opium addicted grandfather.

Both Nayim Singh and Johar knew that only one of them could get Dulari. Dulari too waited, unable to choose between the two. She knew she loved Johar, but was afraid of what Nayim Singh may do if she married him.  She desired to be the wife of the rich landlord, with many servants and plenty of jewellery.  But Johar had stolen her heart with his passionate promises of love.

Johar too was scared of Nayim Singh. He knew that Dulari loved him more than Nayim, but they can’t live on just love and thin air. He needed money to make a comfortable home for her.  Perhaps they should run away — far from the menacing Nayim and try to make their fortune elsewhere.  He must convince Dulari.

The opportunity came when Nayim went to another town for a few days.  Johar spent every moment with Dulari, singing her praises and dedicating songs to her beauty.  He also told her that Nayim cannot be trusted. They would spend hours in the wheat fields where he played his flute to please her.  Johar’s flute was famous in the village.  People thought it had magical powers.  Fashioned out of a hollowed human thigh bone, and decorated with semi-precious stones it produced haunting melodies.

One day, as Dulari and Johar were engrossed in amours in the wheat fields, Nayim Singh sprang upon them.  He had suddenly returned from his visit and was looking for Dulari. The sight of Dulari and Johar in each other’s so enraged Nayim. He drew the sword he always carried with him and struck a powerful blow, splitting Johar’s head in two.  Johar died instantly.

 To be continued….