N. Francis Xavier
Part LII, (Continued from last week)

Lt. Col. Cadell looked at a roster on his table.
It was about the Pathans in the Andaman police force at that time.
Cadell read the document, underlining names with a pencil.
Cons. Mahomed Husain Didn’t return from leave
Cons. Manolla Died
Cons. Akbur Khan Dismissed
Cons. Akhtur Khan Dismissed
Cons. Hussun Khan Resigned
Cons. Said Rahim Khan Resigned
Cons. Ball Khan Resigned
Cons. Hazrut Shah Khan Dismissed (for gambling)
Cons. Umar Khan Convicted (for causing hurt
and gambling)
Cons. Gholam Haider Resigned
Cons. Zameer Khan Resigned
Cons. Samundar Khan Resigned
Lance. Jamrud Khan Committed suicide
Lance. Sahib Khan Dismissed (for overstaying leave)
Lance. Khwas Khan Resigned
Lance. Hakim Khan Resigned
Lance. Sabit Shah Transferred to P. Police
Lance. Musa Khan Convicted of Murder

There was a note from Capt. Deane, the District Superintendent of Police saying that service in the Andamans was not suitable for these frontiersmen.

There was also a report on the murder of Khairu Khan.

Chief Constable Khairu Khan and several other men were sitting under a tree and chatting in the Aberdeen police lines when a shot was fired from under a barracks, approximately from a distance of 13 paces. The shot wounded Khairu in the knee and shattered the leg of Constable Shadi who was sitting next to him. Khairu ran towards his room and on the way received another shot in the chest from which died in two hours. A third shot was fired into the room of another Chief Constable, but did no harm.

As soon as the alarm was sounded police searched all the houses in Aberdeen village. The stillness of that night was pierced by the shrill police whistles and the knockings on the doors with lathis. Armed police searched every house.

It was soon discovered that Lance Sergeant Musa Khan, who was on guard duty at the thanna was missing from his post. Four packets of cartridges have also been taken from the pouches of men employed in the thanna.

The search was extended beyond Aberdeen, and soon Musa Khan gave himself up to the Chowkidar of Niagaon.

Shadi, the injured constable died the following morning from the effects of the wound.

After his arrest Musa Khan gave a statement that it was his intention to kill all the native officers in the police force for they bullied the men. He also stated that he had a special grudge against Khairu Khan because he abused him for being absent from parade on the day of the previous Ramzan.

The report from Inspector Thakur Singh, Inspector of Police, Mount Harriet stated that Khairu Khan never made any complaint against Musa, but Musa was of a morose disposition and was in the habit of wandering about by himself.

Cadell had himself interrogated Musa Khan and sentenced him to death. He had also personally attended the funerals of both Khairu Khan and Shadi at the Muslim cemetery where they were interred with full police honours. The frequent murders in the police force disturbed him a lot. It was time to find a solution to the problem. Repatriation of all the Pathans seemed to be one solution.

There was a gentle knock on the door as he contemplated a letter to the government.

Homfray entered.

“How do you do Jeremy?” Cadell asked amicably

“How do you do sir? Hope I’m not disturbing your work.” Homfray said as he came closer.

The death certificate of Hemraj was lying on the top of the pile of letters on the table. A look of horror contorted Homfray’s face.

“Sir, Hemraj has not been hanged yet, has he?”

“Well, Jeremy, he’s as good as hanged isn’t he? I asked Capt. Birch to prepare the death certificates in advance, so that they could be dispatched to the Home Secretary in the mail steamer arriving tomorrow.

We’ll hang them at 6 in the morning and the ship will sail in the evening itself. Have you told Mr Portman to make arrangements for coal and water so that the ship is ready to sail without delay?”

“Aye aye sir, everything is taken care of sir. One small doubt, what’re we to do with the bodies? There’s a demand from the public that they would like to take them in procession and cremate them in Junglighat, in the Hindoo tradition.

“Oh! Let them go to hell man. Take the bodies beyond North Point, tie some stones to them and throw them in the sea – the usual stuff you know.

“Aye aye sir. Will arrange that. As you say sir. But sir,” Homfray hesitated.

“Well, what? You have other ideas?” Cadell asked curtly.

“No sir, none whatsoever. But have you ever witnessed a hanging in London sir?

“No. Why?”

“Well, I saw one sir. Shall I tell you how it was sir?

“Was it any different from what we do here? Anyway tell me.” Cadell put aside the pen and paper and leaned back in the chair. (To be continued ….)

Francis Xavier

Part L, (Continued from last week)

Huge crowds gathered at Aberdeen jetty.  The huge steamer gave a long blast on its hooter as it crossed Ross Island. The Pilot boat and two more steam barges raced to its side; rope ladders were lowered; armed men clambered up on to the deck. Their duty was to see that Hemraj was properly secured and brought down, to be handed over to Col. Cadell.

Cadell himself reached Aberdeen. Special boats have been pressed into service to bring people from Ross who wanted to witness the historic moment.

Wimberley and Tuson were present at the jetty in immaculately starched uniforms and pith helmets. All carried side arms. MV Portman and Nelson Jeremiah Homfray waited in a boat alongside the jetty with a posse of Andamanese archers.

With a heavy clatter of the anchor chain the ship came to rest in the channel between North Bay and Aberdeen. A hatch in the side of the ship opened; a steam barge came alongside; ropes were thrown; the gang plank was put in place; Maj. Birch stepped out from the ship and boarded the vessel; five men in heavy chains were marched and locked up inside the wheel house of the barge. Heavily armed men stood around the wheel house and on the deck. The barge pulled away from the steamer and headed towards Aberdeen jetty.

The crowd on the jetty craned their necks to catch glimpse of the passengers of the barge. Belching black smoke the barge touched the landing. Ropes fastened it to the jetty. Inspector Baghail Singh ordered the police to clear the entire area of civilians. Burly Pathan and Sikh military police pushed the curious onlookers from the jetty.

A table was brought and placed at one end of the jetty. Three chairs were placed. Rumour went out that Cadell was going to hold court then and there, and sentence Hemraj and others for attempt to murder. They were to be taken away immediately to Viper where all arrangements for hanging have already been made.

As soon as the barge tied up Maj. Birch, in starched uniform stepped up and saluted Cadell.

“Sir, I bring the fugitives who escaped after a murderous assault on a sentry at Viper Island on 9^th of July 1880,” he announced pompously.

“Let them be presented before the court,” Cadell said as he took his place behind the table.

“Bring the prisoners,” Birch shouted as he took the chair to the right of Cadell. Wimberley sat on the other side.

Five men, clad only in Dhotis were marched under heavy escort and made to stand in a line before the kangaroo court.

The moment Hemraj stepped on the jetty loud cries went up from the onlookers. Hemraj glanced briefly towards them and lowered his eyes. Sheobux Mina was the last. He was not chained. Some people jeered and abused him as a traitor.  The whole town knew that it was he who betrayed Hemraj.

The four men were made to stand in front of the jury. All four stared at Cadell with defiant looks. They knew what was in store for them. They had enough time during the voyage to prepare themselves for it.

A uniformed orderly placed before Cadell a file, a pen and an inkpot.

Cadell called out the names of the prisoners and pronounced the death sentence  “ … you are hereby sentenced to suffer death by hanging for the attempted murder of Sepoy Govindarajooloo of 23^rd Madras Native Infantry on 9^th July 1880. Therefore you shall hang by the neck until you are dead.”

He did not mention the “Have you anything to say” that usually accompanied the death sentence.

“We have applied for clemency while being held in Calcutta. What about it?” Hemraj spoke loudly. He wanted the onlookers also hear it.

“Shut up, you blackguard!” Cadell roared, shaking with rage. “I have the powers to hang anyone without waiting for any orders from above. Take them away. They shall hang at first light tomorrow.” He dipped the pen in the inkpot and signed the file. The orderly used a blotter to dry the ink and closed it.

 

Baghail Singh led the men back into the boat. Portman and Homfray also got into it. The boat cast off and headed for Viper. The dugout of the aborigines pulled away to follow the boat at a distance.

“Tell my cutter to standby at 5 in the morning to take me to Viper,” Cadell ordered and got up. The men saluted as he walked away. The crowd on Aberdeen jetty slowly dispersed, in utter silence.

“Tomorrow, by this time, Hemraj will just be a corpse on the dissecting table at Haddo hospital,” a voice said. “I hope we are allowed to take the body for cremation,” another muttered. “We must offer prayers for them in the temple, mosque, church and the gurudwara,” said Maulvi Allauddin as he left the place. (To be continued…)

 

 

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…)

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….

 

 

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….)

 

 

 

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….

 

N. Francis Xavier
Part XXXIII, (Continued from last week)

Well before daybreak Hemraj roused the men. The whaler quietly slid into the channel, heading eastwards. Even if Santiago was watching them he would think they were headed for Burma. As soon as they exited from the channel Hemraj turned the boat into a secret cove. At the other end of the cove was a tidal creek. Hemraj guided the boat into the creek. After half an hour they re-entered the channel, well beyond the spot where they had left Santiago. Now they were headed westwards. The sails were hoisted and the boat picked up speed. In a few hours they would exit from the channel, onto the western coast of the Islands. Beyond that lay the vast ocean, and freedom.

The boat was caught in a powerful riptide as it neared the western end of the channel. It threatened to carry the boat towards a craggy island, the last outpost of the Andamans. Huge breakers broke against the coral beds that formed a formidable wall all round the Island. The monsoon was at its peak.

Hemraj struggled with the tiller to keep the boat away from the rocks. A narrow inlet was the only safe passage to a patch of white sand. The oars were brought out and the men pulled with all their might to fight against the grip of the riptide. By the time the tide relaxed its grip the whaler was close to the shore. They must wait there for the tide to turn. The men prepared to bring the boat to shore.

Just as the bows touched the sandy beach a near naked human form was seen rushing towards them.

It was clear it was not an aboriginal from the colour of the skin. It carried no weapons. Who could it be?

The man stopped well short of the party, panting. Suddenly he recognized Hemraj.

“Hemraj, my brother! I thought you got away long ago. Are you still here?

The men could now see it was Harpal, a sepoy convict. How did he land up here?

“Hello Harpal, what’re you doing here?”, Hemraj asked.

“Brother, first give me some water, and something to eat. I’m starving,” Harpal said.

It was then the men noticed a crude raft washed up on the far end of the beach. Harpal somehow managed to escape from the settlement, built a raft to cross the sea but got wrecked on the island.

Sheobrat offered the man a tender coconut. The convict camaraderie came into play. He too was a fugitive like them, and a former sepoy too.

“Well, Harpal, what happened?”, Hemraj asked, after the man calmed down. They all sat down in the shade of a tree on the cool sand.

“Brother, you are aware of the attempt to murder Chunga by Kulloo. That was September last year, when Gen Barwell was the Superintendent. Kulloo got away with it, thanks to the botched up investigation by SirdarBaghail Singh. You know him. He took a big bribe.

“After Chunga recovered from the wounds he wanted to take revenge. By that time Gen Barwell got transferred. Chunga represented the matter to Col. Cadell. He was afraid Kulloo may make another attempt on his life. He also complained against SirdarBaghail Singh. Col. Cadell rejected his petition.

A few days before your escape Chunga learnt that Kulloo was planning an attack. He was seen sharpening a dah. Chunga came to me for help. The only way was to get rid of Kulloo. We laid a trap for him. He was in the habit of going to the jungle to cut firewood. We lay in wait and pounced upon him. He put up a fight as he was armed with an axe. Chunga was injured badly, but we managed to kill Kulloo. Chunga promised not to reveal my name as an accomplice.

“The case was handed over to Ropes saab. You know what kind of person he is. He got Chunga sentenced death, but tortured him so much before hanging him to find out if there was an accomplice. According to Col. Cadell’s new rules condemned men could be flogged publicly before being hanged. Poor Chunga revealed my name to Ropes saab.

Hemraj understood that Harpal was referring toFrederick Adolph de Roepstorff, the Dane. Roepstorff, wasthe only remnant of the Danish occupation of the Nicobars before they were taken over by the British.

Roepstorffchose to stay on and join the British, hoping for a good job, considering his vast experience in the Nicobars. He could speak the Nicobari language fluently, and was writing a book – Vocabulary of Dialects Spoken in the Nicobar and Andaman Islands. He convinced the Administration that he would be a better negotiator with the Nicobaris. With his strong persuasive skills Roepstorff quickly found a job among the hierarchy of Prison officials.

The British Officers in the settlement, however, did not like the pushyDane. His unpronounceable name, appearance, accent and behaviour did not agree with the Brits. When Roepstorff went on furlough to Copenhagenin 1879, presumably to make copies of some Danish manuscripts relating to the settlements in the Nicobar Islands, there was a sigh of relief in Port Blair. However, when Roepstorff returned in three months and demanded pay for the period, over and above the 100 pounds he took as advance, he was snubbed for being too greedy. It was believed that he was digging up the kitchen middens of the Andamanese to look for arrow heads and other tribal artifacts to sell them to some museums in Europe.
The convicts too did not like him. He was rude and cruel, always threatening the convicts with capital punishment. It was believed that a plot was already being hatched to do away with him.

“I got the news of Chunga’s confession and immediately ran away to the jungle”, Harpal continued. “Ropes saab immediately set the police on my trial. I managed to build this raft but it was smashed to pieces on the rocks four days ago. All my supplies were lost. I haven’t eaten anything for four days. There are no coconut trees even on this island. I was thinking I’ll starve to death when I saw you come in, like a Godsend. I hope you’ll let me join your group. I can pull an oar like any good boatman.

Silence descended on the group at Harpal’s request. An extra passenger means less rations and less space on the boat. The boat was already crowded. But, it’s also an extra hand to work the sails and the oars.

Harpal waited with bated breath for Hemraj’s reply.

After a long pause Hemraj spoke.

“Well Harpal, we can’t leave you here, could we? Lend a hand to haul up the boat. We sail with first light tomorrow. (To be continued….)