Part 3

_Aulae_, or _Bora_, signified a Thug; _Beetoo_, or _Kuj_, everybody not a Thug; _Bagh_, _Phool_, a rendezvous; Boj' ha, the Thug who carried the bodies to the grave; _Bhukote_, or _Bhurtote_, the strangler; _Beyl_, site for murder; _Bykureea_, the scout of river Thugs; Beyl' ha, one who chose the place of murder; _Bunij_, literally merchandize--technically a traveller; _Bunij Ladhna_, "to load goods," _i.e._, to murder; _Bhara_ and _Ghurt' ha_, dead bodies of victims; _Bisul purna_, to be awkwardly handled--to have the _roomal_ caught on the face or head, instead of being slipped round the neck--the contrary of _soosul purna_: a Thug who was frequently guilty of bungling in this manner, was deposed from the honourable post of strangler; _Chookadena_, or _Thibaedena_, to get travellers to sit down and look up, by pointing out some star or object in the air, so that, the chin being raised, the handkerchief might be more easily passed round the throat; _Chumoseea_, or _Shumsheea_, the Thug whose duty it was to seize the victim's hands; _Chumeea_, the Thug who held down the struggling victim; _Chandoo_, an expert Thug; _Cheesa_, a blessing from heaven, a rich traveller; _Dhonkee_, or _Ronkee_, a policeman or guard; _Dul_, weight; _Duller_, the head; _Doonr_, the shrieks of a victim; _Jywaloo_, left for dead, but afterwards recovering, which occasionally happened when there was not time to bury the bodies, or when it was judged imprudent to stab and slash them after being strangled; _Kuboola_, a tyro--the opposite of _Borka_--an adept. The latter could always gather together a band, for he was acquainted with the rites of initiation and the signification of omens, of which a _Kuboola_ was generally quite ignorant. It was, consequently, found unnecessary to sentence the latter to perpetual imprisonment, as they could do little harm without the guidance of a _Borka_. A _Kuboola_, of the old Sindouse stock, once attempted to form a gang, into which he admitted all sorts of vagabonds, weavers, braziers, bracelet-makers, &c., who killed men and women indiscriminately, and neglected the most ordinary precautions. The natural consequence was, that they were soon detected, seized, and punished. On the other hand, one of the most noted Thugs on record was Sheikh Ahmed, of Arcot, whose gang consisted of sixty _Borkas_, disguised as recruits. This able leader had picked up the English words of command, with some knowledge of the Company's drill, and could even express himself intelligibly in English. He never displayed his wealth, which was considerable, or travelled in an ostentatious manner. On the contrary, when sixty years old and able to command the services of a hundred men, he would wander about for months with his wife, cooking his own food, going on foot, and living like a very poor man. His riches were concealed in various _caches_, regardless of the Horatian maxim, that silver shines only with reflected light from a temperate and judicious use. However, he escaped apprehension, and added, every year, with impunity, to his long catalogue of crime. But to return to the vocabulary--_Koojaoo_, an informer, or one who extorted hush-money from Thugs; _Khullee_, a Thug who, from ignoble care-giving impecuniosity, concealed himself on his return home to avoid his creditors--for the natives of Hindostan enjoy many of the blessings of an ancient and refined civilization; _Khomusna_, to rush in upon travellers when there was not sufficient time for the ordinary preparations; _Kanthuna_, or _Kanth dalna_, to stab when no opportunity was afforded for strangling--a very exceptional case--or to slash the suffocated victim, either to prevent revival, or the swelling of the body when buried, owing to the evolved gases finding no vent for escape. This gaseous inflation of the corpse was apt to cause the imposed earth to crack and open, when the horrid effluvia attracted jackals to the spot, who, by digging up the bodies, might discover the fact of a murder having been committed, and so lead to the detection of the murderers; _Kathee kurna_, to inveigle travellers, or to consult secretly as to the mode of doing away with them; _Kharoo_, a gang of Thugs; _Khuruk_, the sound of the consecrated pick-axe in making a grave, supposed to be audible only to the initiated; _Kurwa_, a square, or oblong grave, for one corpse or for many; _Gobba_, a circular grave, with a small pillar of earth left in the middle--it was believed to crack less than the ordinary grave, and was therefore preferred when the dead bodies were very numerous; _Kuthowa_, the Thug whose office it was to cut and stab the dead bodies; _Lugha_, the grave-digger; _Lutkuneea_, a very small purse, used exclusively by Thugs and professional thieves; _Maulee_, or _Phoola_, the Thug entrusted with the duty of taking to the village the money sent by the absent gang for the maintenance of their wives and families; _Nawureea_, a novice on his first expedition--sometimes they were compelled to kick the first murdered man five times on the back; _Nissar_, safe, as applied to any suitable place for lodging at, murdering, or dividing spoil--opposed to _tikkur_, unsafe; _Paoo_, an accomplice of Thugs; _Pehloo_, or _Sikka_, or _Roomal_, the handkerchief. This was, rather, a turban unfolded, or the long narrow cloth, or sash, worn round the waist. It was doubled to the length of about thirty inches, with a knot formed at the doubled extremity, and about eighteen inches from that a slip knot. The distance between these two knots was regulated by preparing the fatal instrument on the knee, which was made to do temporary duty for a neck. The use of the two knots was to give a firm hold. When the victim was fairly prostrated, the strangler adroitly loosened the slip knot, and made another fold of the cloth round his throat. Then placing his foot upon the back of his victim's neck, he drew the cloth tightly, as if--to use the informant's own words--he were "packing a bundle of straw." _Pehloo dena_, to instal as a strangler, of which more hereafter; _Phank_, a useless thing, a traveller without property; _Pungoo_, or _Bungoo_, a river Thug of Bengal, who murdered on board his _kuntee_ or boat; _Phur_, same as _Beyl_, also a spot for dividing the plunder; _Phurjhana_, to clean the murder-spot--after a nocturnal murder, some of the gang were generally left behind to remove any signs of the crime that might be visible by daylight; _Phuruck dena_, to wave a cloth as signal of danger; _Pusur_, the direction of an expedition; _Ruhna_, a temporary grave; _Soon_, a Thug by birth, but not yet initiated; _Saur_, one who escaped from Thugs; _Sotha_, the inveigler; _Tome_, an article of extraordinary value; _Tilha_, a spy; _Thap_, a night encampment; _Tuppul_, a bye-path into which they often inveigled their unsuspecting travelling companions, as more convenient for their purposes. A rich traveller was called "a delicacy;" a poor one "a stick;" an old man "a barber's drum." Some of their signals, too, were quaint. The necessity of caution was inculcated by drawing the back of the hand along the chin, from the throat outwards; the open hand placed over the mouth and drawn gently downwards, implied the absence of danger. "Sweep the place," signified to look out; "bring firewood," take your places--that is, the place assigned to each Thug preparatory to action; "take out the handkerchief with the beetel," get the _roomal_ ready, as already described; "eat beetel," or "hand the beetel," despatch him--this was called the _Jhirnee_, or signal to fall on; "look after the straw," get the body ready for burial; "the straw is come out," jackals have dug up the body. Another form of the _Jhirnee_ was _Ae ho to ghyree chulo_, "if you are come, pray descend." When the scouts wished to report that all was safe, they called out as if to a comrade, "Bajeed Khan," or "Deo," or "Deoseyn." If the scouts saw any danger at hand, or a traveller coming along, they would call out "Sheikh Jee," or "Sheikh Mahommed," if they were Mussulmauns; and "Luchmun Sing," or "Luchee Ram," or "Gunga Ram," if they were Hindoos. Sometimes the advanced guard of a gang, with victims in their power, would meet with a party of travellers, of whom they considered their friends in the rear were capable of disposing. In which case they sent some one back to tell Bajeed Khan, or Deoseyn, to make haste and overtake them. The others receiving this message understood that the coast was clear in front, and on meeting the travellers, lost no time in putting them to death. If a gang happened from any cause to get separated, they rallied with the cry, _Bukh, Bukh, Bukh_, "come, come, come." When the leader judged that the time was at hand for selecting a _beyl_, or site for murder, he would say to the Thug on whom that duty devolved, _Jao, kutoree manj lao_, "go and clean the brass cup." When he desired every one to repair to his post, he gave the _khokee_, that is, he made a great noise of hawking up phlegm from his throat; if anything then occurred to cause the suspension of operations, he gave the _thokee_, or spit out the phlegm. Otherwise, he exclaimed aloud "Surbulund Khan," or "Dulur Khan," or "Surmust Khan," whereupon the stranglers made ready and only awaited the _jhirnee_. Then the fatal words were pronounced, _Tombako kha lo_, or _pee lo_, "eat," or "drink (_i.e._, smoke) your tobacco"--or one of the other formulæ was used--and the next instant the _roomal_ was round the throat of the ill-fated wretch.

In order to avoid the suspicions likely to be engendered by very large bands of men travelling together, the Thugs used to break up into small parties of from three or four to a dozen or so, communicating with one another by a series of telegraphic signs, which enabled them to concentrate at any given point with amazing celerity. Thus, on coming to cross-roads, the leading files drew their feet along the dust in the direction they had taken. If they wished their comrades to follow quickly, they piled up some dust along the toe-line of their footmarks, on which they sometimes impressed their heel. Where there was no dust easily procurable, they left two stones, one upon the other, or strewed a few leaves to indicate the right path: if haste was needful, they would dispose the leaves in a long line.

Great as was the veneration entertained for the _roomal_, still greater was that accorded to the _kussee_, or pick-axe. It was consecrated with peculiar rites. On a day pronounced by the Pundit to be propitious, the leader betook him to a blacksmith--of course a member of his own fraternity--and closing the door, constrained him to relinquish all other work until the axe had been duly fabricated. One of the four auspicious days, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday, was then selected for the _dhoop_, or offering of incense, which took place within a house or tent, the shadow of no living thing being allowed to fall upon the axe. A Thug, renowned for his ceremonial lore, being appointed to officiate, the consecration was attempted--attempted, for it did not always succeed at the first trial. The officiating minister having taken his seat facing the west, received from the leader the pick-axe on a lordly brazen dish. A pit was then dug, over which the axe was held, and washed with water, and afterwards in succession with a mixture of sugar and water, sour milk, and ardent spirits, care being taken that the various liquids should flow into the pit. The next proceeding was to mark the axe from head to point with seven spots of red lead, and again place it on the brazen dish, together with a cocoa-nut, some cloves, paun leaves, gogul gum, inderjon, sessamum seeds, white sandal wood, and sugar. Ghee, or clarified butter, was also put into a small brass cup, standing by the side of the dish. A fire being now kindled with dried cow-dung and mango, or byr-wood, all these articles were thrown into it, excepting the cocoa-nut. So soon as the flames blazed high and bright, the priest, holding the axe in both hands, passed it through them seven times. Then, stripping off the rough outer coat of the cocoa-nut, he placed the fruit on the ground, and taking up the axe by the point, asked of the assembled Thugs, "Shall I strike?" All having replied in the affirmative, he struck the nut with the butt-end of the axe, and usually shivered it into fragments. The whole of the shell and some of the kernel being thrown into the fire, the axe was wrapt in a clean white cloth and laid on the ground, pointing to the west, the Thugs facing the same quarter of the heavens and worshipping. This act of adoration done, they all partook of the cocoa-nut, and collecting the fragments, threw them into the pit. Should the Thibaoo now be heard, all was duly performed, and the axe was a holy thing--no longer a _kodalee_, but a _kussee_. But if the Pilhaoo first smote upon their ears, or the priest failed to crack the nut at a blow, the ceremonies must be repeated--all had been done in vain.

On the march, the sacred _kussee_ was always intrusted to a Thug of approved sobriety and steadiness, who carried it in his waist-belt. While encamped it was buried in a secure place, with the point turned towards the direction intended to be pursued. If a better road could be taken, the axe would be found pointing that way. No human foot was allowed to tread the ground beneath which it reposed; nor should the touch of any unclean man or thing ever pollute its purity. If a well happened to be near, it was thrown into it, instead of being buried; and when the gang was ready to set out, being duly summoned, it came of its own accord to its bearer. Nay, more, if a dozen _kussees_ were thrown into the same well, each would fly unerringly to its proper guardian. When this startling assertion was made, Captain Sleeman suggested it was a clever piece of jugglery; whereupon an approver indignantly exclaimed: "What! shall not a hundred generations of Thugs be able to distinguish the tricks of man from the miracles of God? Is there not the difference of heaven and earth between them! Is not one a mere trick, and the other a miracle, witnessed by hundreds assembled at the same time?" Another approver capped his rhetorical friend, by declaring that he had seen with his own eyes this miracle performed in favour of the Arcottee Thugs, as the reward of their superior piety and strict observance of omens.

The burnt-offerings were repeated on all holy days, and after any unusual interval between murders. After being used, it was washed with solemn rites. There was no more binding oath than to swear by the _kussee_. If the axe itself were not procurable, it sufficed to make an effigy of it in cloth or clay. The person attested, held it in his hand as he swore, and then drank the water in which it had been previously bathed. A perjurer died an awful death within six days after his guilt, his head gradually turning round till his face stood over his back. After all, this is not more strange than the old Hebrew trial of jealousy, as described in the fifth chapter of the Book of Numbers; nor more ridiculous than any ordeal in which supernatural effects were expected from simple and natural causes. If the _kussee_ fell from the hand of its bearer, his death was certain to ensue within twelve months, or else some dire calamity befel the gang. The immediate results of the untoward accident were his deposition from his high office, a change of route, and a fresh consecration of the axe. It has been before remarked, that no one but a Thug could hear the sound of the _kussee_, when used in digging graves. It had likewise another virtue, in common with the _roomal_. "Are you never afraid," asked Captain Sleeman, one day, of some of the approvers, "of the spirits of the persons you murder?"

"Never," they replied, "they cannot trouble us."

"Why? Do they not trouble other men when they commit murder?"

"Of course they do. The man who commits a murder is always haunted by spirits. He has sometimes fifty at a time upon him, and they drive him mad."

"And how do they not trouble you?"

"Are not the people we kill, killed by the orders of Davey? Do not all whom we kill, go to Paradise, and why should their spirits stay to trouble us?... A good deal of our security from spirits is to be attributed to the _roomal_, with which we strangle."

"I did not know that there was any virtue in the _roomal_."

"Is it not our _sikka_ (ensign), as the pick-axe is our _nishan_ (standard)?... More is attributable to the pick-axe. Do we not worship it every seventh day? Is it not our standard? Is its sound ever heard when digging the grave of any but a Thug? And can any man ever swear to a falsehood upon it?"

Next to the leader of the gang, the most important personages were the stranglers. Before a Thug could hope to attain this honourable distinction, he must have served on several expeditions, and given proof of courage and impassibility. The usual gradations were, employment as a scout, then as a grave-digger, afterwards as a holder of hands, and finally he might become a strangler. So soon as his mind was inflamed with this ambition, he had recourse to one of the oldest and most famous of the brotherhood, and besought him to act as _gooroo_, or spiritual preceptor, and to accept him as his _cheyla_, or disciple. If his request were granted, the _gooroo_ led him into a field, with three or four experienced Thugs, and all placed themselves facing the direction in which the gang was about to move. Then the _gooroo_ lifted up his voice, and prayed aloud:--"O Kalee, Kunkalee, Bhudkalee! O Kalee, Mahakalee, Calcutta Walee! if it seemeth to thee fit that the traveller now at our lodging should die by the hands of this thy slave, vouchsafe us the Thibaoo." Should the auspicious omen be refused, the candidate must wait until another opportunity. But if the goddess smiled upon his vows, the party returned to their quarters, and the _gooroo_, taking a handkerchief, and looking towards the west, tied a knot in one end of it, inserting therein a rupee or other silver coin. This knot was called _goor ghaut_, or the classic knot, and was a very artistic performance, the end of the _roomal_ being skilfully folded inwards. The disciple thereupon respectfully took the handkerchief in his right hand, and went and stood over his sleeping victim--for a feeble person, and one asleep, was generally chosen for the maiden trial of skill. When all was ready, the _Shumsheea_, or hand-holder, suddenly awakened the sleeper with the cry that a snake or a scorpion was under or beside him. As he started up, bewildered with sleep and terror, the _roomal_ was slipped over his neck, and in a few seconds he had ceased to fear either reptiles or baser men. The deed being satisfactorily accomplished, the _cheyla_ bowed lowly before his preceptor, and touched his feet with both hands, a compliment he also paid to all the _gooroo's_ relatives and friends there present. After the Thibaoo had again been heard, he untied the knot, and presented the coin, with whatever silver he possessed, to his teacher, who added to it whatever money he happened to have upon his own person. Of this amount half a crown was expended in the purchase of _goor_, or coarse sugar, and the rest in sweetmeats. The Tapoonee feast was then held under a neem, mango, or byr-tree, the _cheyla_ sitting with the Bhurtotes, or stranglers, and receiving a like share of the consecrated _goor_. At the conclusion of the expedition, the tyro entertained his preceptor's family, and gave to him and his wife a present of new clothes. The entertainment was returned by the _gooroo_, between whom and his pupil an indissoluble connection existed ever afterwards unto death.

The Tapoonee, to which allusion has just been made, was a sacrifice offered to Bhowanee after every murder. A half-crown's worth of coarse sugar having been procured through the instrumentality of one of their most plausible members--for the purchase of so large a quantity at a time might have excited strange surmises--it was placed on a blanket, or sheet, spread upon a clear spot of ground. The _kussee_, or sacred pickaxe, and a silver coin--by way of _roop dursun_, or silver offering--were also laid upon the sheet, beside the pile of sugar. The most experienced of the leaders there present then seated himself on the edge of the sheet, facing to the west, and on either side of him were ranged as many Bhurtotes as could be accommodated on the carpet, but taking care that they should make an even number. The others sat behind these. The leader next made a hole in the ground, and dropping into it a pinch of the _goor_, raised his eyes to the sky, and, with clasped hands, devoutly prayed aloud:--"Great goddess! as thou didst vouchsafe one lakh and 62,000 rupees (£16,200) to Jora Naick and Koduk Bunwaree in their need, so, we pray thee, fulfil our desires!" These words were repeated by the entire assembly; after which the leader sprinkled a little water over the pit and the _kussee_, and placed some _goor_ on the hand of every Thug seated on the blanket. Some one then uttered the _jhirnee_, or signal for strangulation, and the _goor_ was eaten in solemn silence. Not a word was spoken until the whole of the consecrated pile had disappeared, and been washed down with a draught of pure water. If any crumbs fell on the ground they were carefully picked up and thrown into the hole; for should any beast of the field, or bird of the air, partake of the holy offering, the wrath of the goddess would burn for years. The silver coin being restored to its owner, the unconsumed sugar was distributed among the lower and junior grades of the association. But if any one of the uninitiated, by chance or design, tasted of that to which the stranglers only were entitled, he was straightway irresistibly impelled to Thuggee, and never could the charm that bound him be broken or counteracted.