STRANGE CAPTURE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue VI, 9 February 1895, Page 136

STRANGE CAPTURE.

STORY OF BURMAH. T was a lovely moonlight night as we sat, some half-a-dozen of us, smoking a last pipe on the deck of the good ship * Assam,’ homeward bound from the sunny East. Oar con* versation had turned upon thieves and their ways, and as we bad most of ns lived for many years amongst a people noted for their disregard of the laws of meum and tuum, and a wonderful facility for carrying out their designs, some strange experiences were related. Among the stories told was one of so strange a character as to be worth retelling in the narrator’s own words. It is some years ago, said he, that after many disappointments I succeeded in obtaining a Sub-Inspectorship in the Bnrmah Police, a semi military force maintained by the British Government in a country where such an organisation is indispensable for the proper maintenance of order. An old friend of my father had assisted me in obtaining my commission, and I think that it was listening to his stirring yarns of adventures and hunting in that strange land that filled me with a desire to visit it, but many a day subsequently did I wish myself anywhere but in that feverstricken and malarial place. On reaching Rangoon I reported myself to my Chief, who, after welcoming me cordially, gave me instructions as to what I was next to do The most important of these was to master the language, as until I could speak it my usefulness did not begin. 1 was to be stationed in Rangoon for awhile to get into the routine of police life, after which I should be sent into the wilds somewhere, and there, unless I spoke Burmese, I should be utterly lost. Accordingly I devoted all my energies to my task and, under the instruction of a pooinji> made rapid progress. After six months’ patient study I was able to write a report first-hand and converse with moderate fluency with my subordinates. About this time I received orders to proceed to Tavoy, a town upon the coast, some 200 miles distant, and there to relieve the sub-inspector, Smith, who was down with jungle fever. Three days later I arrived there by the steamer • Avajee,’ and took over charge. As Tavoy is the centre of a large district, a strong force is maintained there, and the process of taking over the arms, ammunition and other supplies, in the state of poor Smith’s health occupied some time. It was thus a couple of days before he was ready to start on his return to Rangoon, and in the evenings we spent together I obtained from him much valuable information as to the district and the people within it, knowing it would be of immense use to me thereafter. On the eve of his departure he told me that there was one thing that I should know and that was what he called the mystery of the haunted well, which he said he had never been able to clear up. Upon my laughing somewhat incredulously, he shook his head and said that although he did not believe in ghosts any more than I did, there was, nevertheless, something here that he should leave to me as a legacy, the solution of which he would be one day glad to hear. About ten miles from Tavoy, said Smith, was a village called Oukshi-chong, beside which was a small open plain. In this plain was a mound upon which a tomb had been built some time before, and on either side of it were a well and a banyan-tree. The poor villagers had for some time past been living in a state of terror, from a monstrous form, a spirit they called it, that would at times emerge from the well and roam around the village. Such was their fear that not one would venture forth after dark for fear of meeting it. Following their usual custom, they had sought to propitiate it with offerings of food, fruit, and rice, and they maintained that when this was neglected that some article or another would disappear from their gardens in revenge, sometimes their pumpkin vines being stripped and growing plants utterly destroyed. Smith had heard of this state of affairs and had endeavoured to get to the bottom of it; and as the offerings of food were nightly made by the people and as regularly removed during the night, he naturally thought that there was some human agency at work. Accordingly, one night he hid in the banyan tree, whose dense foliage afforded him perfect cover, and he declared that before he had been there long he had seen a form arise from out of the well, hover around for a while, and then disappear within it when he fired at it with his revolver. He had examined the well, but beyond its being of considerable depth there was nothing peculiar about it. The water rose to within a few feet of the ground, and the, sides were curbed up with well fitted masonry, and quite incapable off affording concealment for the smallest animal, let alone a man. Quite at a loss what to think of it, and attributing it to the hallucinations of his fevered brain, he went home, saying nothing of his adventure. Since then, however, other reports had reached him which made him tell me the story, as he thought steps should be taken to get to the bottom off the mystery. The next day Smith left and I entered upon my new duties, making a tour of my district. 1 found eveiything quiet except for certain strange robberies that were taking place, in many instances accompanied by murder, and when so by strangulation. The thief did not restrict himself to one place, but seemed to travel over a wide extent off country, and invariably confined himself to abstracting jewellery and other small articles of value. But so cunning was he that no trace could be found off his movements, and the police were in a great state of excitement about it. My visit put them, moreover, on their mettle, and I felt sure that we should hear something about him before long. In the course of my rounds I arrived at the village of Oukshi-chong, and the sight of the mound with the well and the banyan-tree naturally brought back to me the story I had been told. After the duties of the day were over, in the cool of the evening, the sergeant came over to see me and tn indulge his Oriental longing for chat with bis superior officer, and from him 1 heard much that was going on in the neighbourhood. Naturally the subject of the haunted well came up, and he bewailed the losses of the village and the state of terrorism which prevailed. Only the night previous, he added, he had lost the pick of his poultry-yard, a cock that was invincible, for the Burmese are as fond of cock fighting

as ever our forefathers were. Had not one of his neighbours purloined it ? I suggested. Impossible, was the reply; what! steal from the sergeant of the police ? No; it was the spirit of the well. But what could a spirit want with a cock ? I asked. But here he had me, for the natives throughout southern Asia sacrifice a cock invariably in the course of their ceremonies, and the selection in the present case was not inappropriate. On the following day I strolled over to the temple, which was not far distant, and was invited by the priest to come in and rest myself; which invitation I accepted. After partaking of some fruit, and finishing a drinking-cocoa-nut, I led the conversation up to the mysterious well, and in a hushed and solemn voice the priest gave me the following account of what he believed was the cause of all the trouble.

Some four years ago the then chief priest of the temple, who was a man well advanced in years, conceived the idea of building a tomb for himself, and accordingly selected a site on the summit of the mound near the well. After some trouble, for the natives have a superstitions horror of carrying out such a work, a Mussulman, named Abdul, a notorious rascal, undertook for good wages to do the work. Accordingly he excavated the space necessary for a chamber ten feet square, with a passage leading into it some eight or ten feet long, the idea being to brick np the chamber after the depositing of the body, leaving the passage-way, which again should be closed at the entrance. The work was accordingly carried out, bnt when called npon to finish the roof in the dome-like form usually affected, Abdul struck for higher wages, and refused te go on. The priests, who considered Abdul’s request extortionate and moreover savouring of sacrilege, took advantage of his being one day within the tomb to fasten the entrance, and told him that there he should stay until he agreed to complete the work. The old chief priest was rapidly declining and it was important that the work should be pushed on without delay, and they thought to bring the mason to his senses. Day after day he was kept in this horrible prison, fed with a little rice, which was pushed through an opening ; but he was obdurate, actually raising his demand for the completion of the tomb. At length one morning the poor old priest was found dead on his mat, his throat cut from ear to ear : he had been foully murdered. Suspicion was of course directed to Abdul, and though they could not understand how he got out, the people clamoured for his blood. The tomb was searched, and although the passage was blocked up as the priests had left it, there was no Abdul there : he had got out somehow, though when and by what means no one could tell. After the excitement subsided the funeral took place, and the old man’s body was laid in the resting-place he had designed for it.

Time went on and the incident was forgotten, when suddenly people began to say that the well by the tomb was haunted, and naturally assumed that it was the spirit of the murdered man and did their best to conciliate it with offerings of food. The terror of these poor villagers was extreme, for to see it was death. One man rushed into his but saying he had met it face to face ; the next night he was discovered in his bed, dead, with a thin bine line round his neck, the starting eyes and protruding tongue indicating that he bad been strangled. A child one day ran to its mother saying that it had seen the spirit at the well. The next evening the poor little body was found murdered like the other. Several similar incidents satisfied the people that it was the old priest demanding vengeance on his murderer, and they believed that anyone interfering would surely die. From what I heard I made np my mind that some rogue was at work, and connected the murders and robberies in the district with this so called spirit, and was determined to capture it. Accordingly I resolved to see it for myself first of all, and fearing to alarm anyone with my actions, I announced that I was going to ride over to a neighbouring post, but after darkness had set in I cautiously returned by another route, apd tying my pony np in a clump of trees a quarter of a mile off I reached the banyan-tree and hid myse'f in its branches From where I sat I could see the well with the little saucers of rice left there by the priests. The time passed very slowly. Never did the hours drag as they did then, and 1 -was beginning to get horribly sleepy, when a jackal commenced bowling not far from where I was. I was just wondering how it was that nature had endowed it with so unmelodious a voice when it suddenly stopped, and in the dead silence that ensued so abruptly my attention was attracted to an extraordinary sound that came from the well. First I heard a splash of water and then a long, deep drawn sigh ! Ye gods ! What was it? The sound at such an hour and under sneb conditions startled me most horribly, and I was conscious of a decidedly creepy feeling along my backbone, culminating in the stiffening of the hair of my head, and I felt as Smith told me he had felt himself, in a blue funk. Acting upon my first impulse I bad drawn my revolver, but not wishing to repeat Smith’s failure, I restrained my inclination to use it, and watched quietly to see what would happen. In a few moments a shadowy form arose from the well and appeared to stand on the low wall that surrounded it. In the dim light I could make out that it was something resembling a gigantic man, but with some sort of headdress resembling horns. For some minutes it stood there without moving, as if making a survey of the surroundings ; then, apparently satisfied t hat there was no one around, the ghostly form squatted down on the wall, and I saw it was a man. Putting up its arms it removed its headdress, which had given it the appearance of so great a height, and which was evidently assumed to deceive any villager who might happen to come that way. Reaching forth to the plates of food, it emptied them into a bag produced from under his garments. The dawn was now breaking and I conld distinguish the features of this strange visitor. Undoubtedly it was the Mussulman Abdul, as bis features were not those of a Barman, and his head had been shaved not long since, after the manner of his sect. He was a villainous-looking specimen, with a great bull neck and a pair of shoulders that would have done credit to a prize fighter. My first idea was to descend and capture him, but I realized that the chances were all against me and that once alarmed be could reach his mysterious retreat and possibly escape. Just then from the neighbouring clump my pony neighed, and like a flash, gathering np his headdress and bag of food, he was gone ; be had dived back into the well. I at once slipped from my perch and rushed to the edge of

the well, but there was nothing to be seen beyond that the water was somewhat disturbed. I was quite at a loss to know what to do. That I bad seen a man I had not the least doubt, bnt how or why he retreated into the well I could not understand. I lighted a pipe and had a thoughtful smoke. I was fairly puzzled, when suddenly a thonght strnck me, and turning round I measured the distance from the edge of the well to the tomb; it was twenty feet. Allowing eight feet for the thickness of the wall, about thirty feet would separate me from the inner chamber. Could there be any means of communication ? Looking about, I soon found a long bamboo, which I cautiously put down the well, feeling along the side of the stonework. Lower and lower I went, when suddenly, snre enough, the resistance of the wall ceased and I could detect an opening, evidently a passage, and quite big enough to admit a man, as it felt to be about three feet square. The mystery was solved. The man lived in the tomb, and issued forth disguised as a spirit, frightening the villagers from coming out at night, and under cover of the darkness he committed the unexplained robberies and murders I had beard of throughout the district. Well satisfied with my night’s work, I made my way to my pony and cantered off to complete my pretended journey. I had now to devise some means of getting hold of this human water rat without asking that the tomb of the priest be opened, a proceeding which I knew would be regarded with distrust by his late congregation. That evening, having hit upon a plan, I retired to rest as usual, and about midnight stole quietly forth knowing full well that I should not run across any villager. I had on a long overcoat, in the pockets of which I had a pair of bandenffs, some strong fishing-twine, and a hunting knife. Underneath I wore nothing but a native cloth around my loins, as I intended to penetrate the retreat of the spirit. I reached my station in safety, nnobserved, and then commenced my solitary watch. Before, however, I concealed myself, I carefully removed the platters of rice so that the Mussulman, not finding them, should depart for the village, leaving the well to my attention. I was now ready for action, my knife belted round my waist, with the handcuffs .and fishing-line fastened to me so as not to impede my movements under water. I bad not been waiting very long when again I heard the sound of splashing followed by the long-drawn sigh, and then, as before, the figure appeared on the edge of the well. After waiting a little while it moved off in quest of the platters of food, and when he failed to find them a good round oath in Hindoostanee Convinced me that my scheme bad not improved his temp°r. Without wasting any time, he moved off towards the village, and as soon as he was out of sight 1 came from my hiding-place ready for action. Taking off my coat and contenting myself with the minimum of clothing, I prepared for my voyage of discovery. It was unpleasant to think of, as I knew not what obstacles I might not meet in that dark, subterranean passage, but I had determined upon carrying out my scheme, so, muttering a brief prayer, in I dived.

I had no difficulty in finding the opening, and after exploring it for a few yards came back for a final breath and then went down for good. There was no room in the passage for a stroke with my arms, so I kept them stretched out in front of me to feel my way and protect my head, contenting myself with using my legs as a means of progression. At length, after what seemed to me a very long time, my hands struck a flat surface, and groping around I found it was clear overhead. I shot up then and found myself in a small chamber, evidently Abdul’s den. In one corner was a mat with some clothing, and on a niche an oil-lamp burned, shedding a sufficiently bright light around. Scattered here and there were cooking utensils and a little fireplace, and hung on the walls were a couple of murderous-looking dahs— native knives. Beside them was something from which I recoiled in horror; a piece of twisted gut a c tuple of feet long with aloop at one end, evidently the strangling apparatus used by this villain in disposing of bis victims. Carefnllv putting the dahs out of sight, I proceeded to arrange my plans for the coming strnggle. The man would come up as I did in the well-like opening, and would have to crawl into the room through an aperture.in the wall. This was where my attack should be made. The water was a couple of feet below the level on which I stood, and showed a surface about three feet square, and I decided to knock him on the head and if possible stun him, as I did not desire to risk a strnggle with so desperate a character under such circumstances. Suddenly the water was disturbed, and I had only time to dart across the floor for a dah and return when there was a gurgling and swishing of water and a dead fowl was flung into the room. Almost instantly a dark form appeared at the aperture, and without giving him time to rise I brought the back of the heavy dah down upon his head. He rolled over like a log, and I half regretted not having given him a chance to fight. However, the recollection of the murdered child, so vividly brought home to me by the sight of the strangling-cord, hardened my heart, and in a moment I had the brute handcuffed behind his back and his ankles lashed together. In a few minutes he came to, and never shall I forget the look of astonishment succeeded by rage which came over him. His struggles were tremendous, and it was well for me that I had neglected no precaution for my own safety. His mind was set npon getting at the dahs which I bad removed, and his eyes were turned from one place to another seeking them. After some minutes, finding his efforts ineffective, he lay still, panting for breath, occasionally letting off steam in horrible oaths in Hindoostanee and Burmese. I now informed him that, although in undress nniform, I was a police officer, and arrested him for robbery and murder, and detailed to him one or two of his atrocities. His threats were now turned to prayers and supplications, and be offered me untold wealth if I would but let him off. This put a new idea into my head, and upon searching I found various necklaces, bracelets, and packages of precious stones, the spoils of his chase, which he bad made no attempt to conceal, believing himself to be absolntely secure in bis retreat. • Keep them,’ he urged, • keep them I You will be a rich man and I shall be free, and no one will be the wiser,’ and then be renewed his entreaties. His Oriental mind could not nnderstand that I was not to be bribed, and he then fell into a sulky silence, evidently meditating escape.

It now remained for me to return the way I came, and I think I never less liked any undertaking than I did that dive back into the well. However, I got back to the fresh air somewhat scratched and out of breath, and resuming my greatcoat walked back to the bungalow, where I speedily got into clean clothes. The next morning I summoned the village headman, the priests, and other men in authority to the police station, and there recounted what bad passed. The excitement was intense and spread like wild-fire, and after some consultation it was agreed that the tomb should be opened and the prisoner removed. Accordingly the bricked-up passage was torn down and we rushed into the tomb, bnt as soon as I entered it I recognised that it was not the room I had been in. There was evidently another chamber, and with heavy sticks we sounded the walls, and, sure enough, on the side next the well, detected a hollow sound. Quickly prying out one or two stones, we made an opening, which disclosed the retreat with my captive lying as I had left him. Entering with the sergeant, the headman, and one of the priests, we examined the chamber and gathered up all the wealth that had been so dearly bought. The prisoner was then dragged into the daylight and at once recognised as the redoubtable Abdul. It required all my authority and the assistance of the sergeant and constables to prevent the excited crowd from taking summary vengeance on our captive. At the first news of his arrest the relatives of the murdered victims gathered round and raised such an outcry that we considered it advisable to remove him at once to a place of safety, so, securing a bullock-cart we took him oft' to Tavoy. Here he made a clean breast of it, confessing to the murder of the priest and some half-a-dozen others, as well as the mysterious robberies. The secret chamber be bad discovered quite by accident. When he had been shut into the tomb he commenced, having his tools with him, to dig his way out, and suddenly found himself in it. It was evidently of ancient origin having doubtless been a tomb once in ages past or a retreat of some sort. The exit by the well he found out, as one or two mud-turtles were in the chamber and he knew that they must have access to the open air ; so after some search he came across the inner well and courageously dived down, and following the passage arose in the daylight. Being struck with the security of this chamber as a retreat, he returned after stealing some provisions and a lamp, when be built up the opening from the tomb. Through the roof he made an opening for air and then commenced his depredations, and by assuming the disguise of a spirit or devil and playing upon the terrors of these simple villagers, he enjoyed perfect immunity. He acknowledged that he had now got together sufficient in gold and jewellery and was about to leave the country. He

had one other robbery in view—the treasures of the temple itself —and in a couple of days he would have been gone. Abdul was taken to Rangoon, tried, and duly hanged. I have run across same strange characters in Bnrmah since then, and have had some exciting adventures, but none made so great an impression on me as did the circumstances attending my first capture.