The Dacoit's Treasure; or, In the days of Po Thaw, etc

Front matter

THE DACOITS TREASURE "JOHNSON LUNGED AT HIM WITH HIS BAYONET." [A. I28 THE Dacoits Treasure OR IN THE DAYS OF PO THAW a Story of adventure In Burma BY HENRY CHARLES MOORE ILLUSTR.4TED BY HAROLD PIFFARD Xon&on W. H. ADDISON QUEEN'S HEAD PASSAGE PATERNOSTER ROW i897 CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. THE PHOONGYEE'S SECRET ... 9 II. PO THAW APPEARS ..... 33 III. A FIGHT WITH THE DACOITS . . . 50 IV. " WE HAVE COME TO BE YOUR WIVES " . 7 1 V. THE "SPOTTED FACE" ■ ■ • ■ 93 VI. ANOTHER FIGHT WITH DACOITS . 119 VII. A SPY 133 VIII. THE FORT SURROUNDED . . . IS I IX. THE FIRE-WALKING ORDEAL . . -179 X. MAH NOO . 203 XI. A TRIAL BY ORDEAL . . . 225 XII. EDITH CLARENCE ..... 248 XIII. FLIGHT AND CAPTURE .... 265 XIV. THE END OF BAH WAH .... 296 XV. MAH NOO'S APPEAL ..... 304 XVI. THE GRATITUDE OF PO SE . . -32 7 XVII. A RACE FOR LIFE ..... 345 XVIII. THE TREASURE ..... 368 XIX. A SHEAF OF SURPRISES .... 388 XX. RETRIBUTION ...... THE DACOIT'S TREASURE

Chapter I The Phoongyee's Secret George Murray

was a fortunate man. At the age of twenty-eight he inherited from a distant relative a fortune sufficiently large to enable him to resign the post he held in a prominent business house, and to give himself up to any kind of pur suit that pleased him. It had always been his great desire to travel ; and as soon, therefore, as he was in a position to do so, he bade goodbye to England, and set out on a voyage to Burma. Arriving at Rangoon, he was heartily The Dae oil's Treasure welcomed by an old schoolfellow, Sydney Cameron, who had emigrated to that part of the world years before, and had become a prosperous rice-merchant in the land of his adoption. For a day or two after Murray's arrival, Cameron's thirst for tidings of his friends in the old country kept the new-comer at rather close quarters ; and Murray, eager as he had been at first to impart what information he could, began at length to tire of the continued fire of questions with which Cameron assailed him.

He longed for an opportunity of escaping for a while and exploring his strange surroundings. Not until he had been Cameron's maest for some days, however, did Murray venture to hint that, being a stranger in a strange land, there were a good many things of interest in the country which he would like to see. When he did mention the matter — " Why, my dear fellow, yes, of course ! " exclaimed Cameron. " Upon my word, The Phoongyee s Secret I have been strangely forgetful, not to say selfish. But you must make allowances. You must remember it is ten years since I have seen anyone from the old place ; and letters never tell everything. I'll do my best, though, to make up for having bored you ! " And he did ! The very next morning Murray was roused soon after six o'clock, and requested to be ready at seven for a visit to the Shway Dagon Pagoda, a famous temple, which attracts good Buddhists to Rangoon from all parts of Asia.

He needed no second bidding. He had heard of this pagoda before he left home, and the glimpses he had caught of it since his arrival in Rangoon made him more anxious than ever to visit it. Seven o'clock accordingly found the two friends driving to the place ; and they spent an hour pleasantly enough in admiring the barbaric splendours of the ancient building. It is strange how sometimes the most apparently trivial things will shape or alter a man's whole career. When Gilbert Murray wandered with his friend round the old Burmese pagoda that morning, he had no definite object in life. His intention was simply to rove aimlessly from place to place, "putting in time," as he confided to Cameron, " by travel and sight-seeing." Plad anyone told him that a chance visit to a heathen temple would lead to an incident destined to affect his whole future, he would probably have laughed incredu lously.

Yet so it was. And it came about in this way. The two friends, having seen everything of interest at the pagoda, were returning to the spot where they had left their con veyance, when they were startled by loud and angry shouts. " What is the matter ? " Murray asked. " A riot," Cameron replied, somewhat shortly, with difficulty concealing his anxiety. A rising of the natives ? " " Oh, no — a religious riot. The Mohar ram, the great annual Mohammedan festival, is being held, and this is one of the fights with which the two Mohammedan sects usually mark the occasion." Before Cameron had time to rive his friend any further information a wild crowd of Mohammedans dashed round the corner, closely followed by another and larger mob, who, uttering horrible imprecations, hurled sticks and jagged stones at those in front as they ran.

Presently the fugitives made a stand, and for a time the fanatics fought madly, taking no notice whatever of the two Englishmen and a feeble old phoongyee, or Burmese priest, who stood helplessly looking on. Blood flowed freely, staining the long white garments of the rioters, some of whom had their robes literally torn from their backs in the mUde. Again the smaller mob took to flight, and a wild yell burst from their opponents as they dashed after them. One fanatic, bleeding and tattered, stopped as he passed the venerable phoongyee, and deliberately hurled a stick at him. The missile was well aimed, and the unfortunate priest fell senseless to the ground as, with a fiendish scream of delight, the fanatic rushed madly after his fellow-rioters. " You scoundrel ! " Murray shouted, and would have avenged the priest ; but Cameron caught hold of him.

" Let the fiend go," Cameron said. "Your interference would only result in an attack upon you by the whole mob. Come and see what we can do for the phoongyee." The poor old priest had received an ugly cut on the forehead. Fortunately Murray knew enough of " first aid to the wounded " to be able to bandage the gash with his pocket-handkerchief, while Cameron enlisted the services of a little Burmese boy — who stood watching the operation with tears in his eyes — and sent him off at a run to the monastery for help. In a few minutes a number of yellow robed phoongyees and novices came hurrying to the spot. The novices squatted down some yards away, as a sign of respect, but the phoongyees advanced to the wounded man,, who had by this time regained con sciousness. They spoke to him for some minutes with marked solicitude, and then assisted him to walk to the monastery.

Cameron and Murray drove home and sat down to breakfast on the verandah. They were lingering over their meal, when a sturdy young Burman walked boldly up the steps and said to Cameron — " The phoongyee whose head the English gentleman opposite to you bound up so skilfully that he did not die, has commanded me to beg you and your kind friend to call and see him at the monastery before sunset." "Tell the good phoongyee that we will certainly do as he desires," Cameron replied ; and the messenger departed. "What does he want to see us about?" Murray asked, after Cameron had translated the message. "He probably wants to thank you for your timely aid," Cameron replied ; " but I accepted the invitation because I know you will find a visit to the monastery exceedingly interesting. Of course I will go with you, to act as interpreter."

It was late in the afternoon when they arrived at the monastery, an elaborately carved wooden building surrounded by tamarinds, areca, and palmira palms. A novice was standing at the gate, evidently on the look-out for them, and he at once escorted them to a large hall, where they found the old phoongyee sitting in solitary state on a raised seat. His head was still bandaged with Murray's handkerchief, but he did not appear to be suffering. " Sit down, please," he said feebly. Cameron and Murray immediately sat, tailor fashion, on the floor — Murray, anxious not to commit any breach of Burmese The Phoongyee' s Secret etiquette, carefully copying all that Cameron did, though he found it somewhat difficult to keep his feet hidden from view. "You English," the phoongyee began, in a low, musical voice, " though you drink spirits, slay cattle, and eat flesh, and have, moreover, taken from us the land of our fathers, are yet kind to the feeble and distressed, be they rich or poor, white or brown.

You speak also the words that are true ; but nevertheless you hanker after riches, and will place your lives in clanger for silver rupees. I perceive your com panion does not understand my speech. Promise me that you will faithfully repeat to him in his language all my words." " I promise." "It is good. Your companion has been kind to me, even as a mother is kind to her child. With riches I will repay him. Now listen attentively. In the country that lies between the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers there is a temple called the Sunrise Pagoda. Thc Dacoit's Treasure Tell your companion to go there, and, seventy yards from the centre of the altar, search the ground for a stone slab. When he has found it, let him raise the stone and descend into the earth. There he will find rubies and other precious stones — bracelets, anklets, ear-tubes and rings, all of gold, and piles of Indian and peacock rupees.1 Let him take them all.

Tell him now my words." Concealing his great excitement as well as he was able, Cameron repeated to Murray all that the phoongyee had said. "Is he in earnest ? " Murray asked. " Perhaps the blow he received has turned his brain." " I think not," Cameron replied. "His conversation is perfectly rational." " But supposing the treasure is there, what right has the priest to say we may take it ? " I'll ask him. I have told my friend all the words 1 Burmese rupees The Phoongyee s Secret that you have spoken," Cameron said to the phoongyee, "and he bids me thank you for them. But as the eighth commandment of his religion is the same as the second commandment of yours, he wishes to know if the treasure belongs to any man. If it does he cannot take it." The priest grew angry. "Thinkest thou," he said, "that I, a phoongyee, would tell any man, even though he be a kala, l to steal ?

" "I do not think it ; but still, my friend wishes to know how the treasure became hidden there." The phoongyee glanced round the hall, as if anxious to assure himself that none of his brother phoongyees or the novices were near, and then replied cautiously, " Draw nearer, and I will tell you about the treasure." Cameron and Murray moved close to the aged man, and then sat down again. "The son of my brother," the phoongyee said, " forgot all the precepts taught him 1 A foreigner. Treasure while a youth, and became a dacoit bo.1 His hands were red with blood, and women and children feared him more than they did tigers or deadly snakes. He burned villages to the ground and crucified their headmen. But after the Owner of the White Elephant2 had been captured and sent across the sea, the soldiers of the Great White Queen fell upon the dacoits and slew them, my brother's son alone remaining alive.

He fled, wounded, to a hermit's cave, and hid there for many months. Then he came down to Rangoon in disguise. But the sons of the jungle droop in towns, and my brother's son soon died. Before the breath left him he sent for me — not that I might remain there to protect his body from evil spirits, or pro claim the wretchedness of life, but that he might tell me where his treasure — the plunder collected by his lawless band — was concealed. To me he made known the exact spot. To me he gave all the pre- 1 Leader. * King Theebaw. The Phoongyee' s Secret cious stones, money, and golden ornaments. But at my consecration I vowed that I would not take to myself even the value of a dram of silver ; so the treasure has remained untouched where the dacoits hid it. Let your friend take it and do with it what seemeth best to him."

Cameron rapidly explained to Murray what the phoongyee had said, and without waiting for him to recover from his surprise, declared to the venerable priest, " The gratitude of my friend is more than words can express." " It is good. Now you must leave me ;" and as the phoongyee spoke he struck a small gong which stood beside him. A novice immediately entered and escorted the Englishmen to the monastery gate. "Well, what do you think of your good fortune ? " Cameron asked, as the gate clanged behind them. " I really don't know what to think," Murray declared, starting off almost at a Treastire run in his excitement. " Do you believe his story ? " " Most certainly I do," panted Cameron, who found it difficult to keep pace with his friend. " But, my dear fellow, doesn't it strike you as being somewhat extraordinary for him to bestow upon me, a total stranger, so large an amount of valuable treasure for such a trivial service as I rendered him ?

"Not at all — for the simple reason that the Buddhist religion strictly forbids its phoongyees to possess wealth." " That is probably to prevent their becoming worldly. Our friend did not accumulate wealth, but merely accepted a valuable gift " "A most serious offence! A phoongyee must on no account accept more than is necessary for his immediate wants — enough food to last for the day, and some cloth when his garments are worn out. To The Phoongyee's Secret accept money or jewels is a terrible sin in the eyes of these people." " Why in the name of goodness, then, didn't the old fellow distribute his wealth in charity ? " " And thereby publish abroad his sin ? That would have been very unwise." " Then, as far as I can judge, our friend has been in a very unenviable position ? " " He has, undoubtedly.

The hidden treasure must have been a source of great anxiety to him for many a long day. Your timely service afforded him an opportunity, such as he never had before, to dispose of his wealth. Under the cloak of gratitude — mind you, I don't say that he was not grateful — he was able to ease his con science without exciting suspicion. I am confident that he became possessed of the wealth in the way he told us ; and now that he has made over the treasure to you he will forget that he ever knew of its existence." It appeared on the following day that Cameron's idea of the phoongyee' s intentions was remarkably accurate. Cameron and Murray called at the monastery to ascer tain from the phoongyee the exact position of the Sunrise Pagoda, but the aged priest declined to receive them. "Well," said Murray, as they turned away, somewhat crestfallen, "it is evidently a matter of conscience with the old man, so I suppose we ought not to complain ; but his scruples are highly inconvenient, all the same.

However, we shall have to manage without him. "I say 'we,'" he went on, "because I shall not attempt to go in search of the place unless you can arrange to go with me. I know enough of the country already to be well aware that an expedition to the Sunrise Pagoda is likely to be a highly dangerous affair ; and I will only take advantage of the phoongyees information on condition that you will help me in the The Phoongyee 's Secret search, and share with me whatever spoil we may find. For you are the only man in the country whom I can call friend ; and to go on such an errand with merely a few strange natives, of whose language even I know nothing, into a country swarming with dacoits, would . be simple madness. I would not run the risk for ten times the value of the phoongyee's treasure." "Well, well," said Cameron, "I'll join you.

I fancy I shall rather enjoy the adventure, even if we get no treasure for our pains ! And fortunately my Eurasian clerk can be relied upon to look after my business for me while we are away." " Thanks ! " said Murray gratefully grasping his friend's hand. So it was settled ; and three days later the adventurers started on their expedi tion. They were accompanied by Murray's servant Johnson — a thick-set, jovial-looking Londoner. While travelling by train from Rangoon to Prome he was told of the object of their journey, and was even more pleased at the idea of some adventures than at the promise of a portion of the treasure. From Prome the travellers journeyed by water to Mandalay ; and Murray and Cameron enjoyed their up-river trip im mensely. On board they made the acquaintance of an elderly man, con nected with the Geological Survey of India, whose tales of adventure and discovery were wonderfully entertaining.

" Have you ever heard of the Sunrise Pagoda ? " Cameron ventured to ask him, on the second day. " It's somewhere in Upper Burma, I believe." " No, I can't say that I have," the geologist replied ; " but, bless you, there might be a hundred pagodas with that name in this country without one hearing of them. What is this particular pagoda famous for ? " The Phoongyee 's Secret " I don't know that it is famous," Cameron said cautiously, " but my friend and I are going to travel across country from the Irrawaddy to the Chindwin, and we heard that there was a pagoda of that name somewhere about there." " That is highly probable. Whether it is worth seeing is another matter. Are you travelling for pleasure ? " " Yes, my friend is fresh from England, and anxious for sport and adventure." "His desire will assuredly be gratified if you are going in the direction you have mentioned, for Po Thaw is usually to be met with thereabouts, and he is certain to cause you considerable trouble.

He is the most notorious bo that this country has ever produced. He has defied the Govern ment again and again, and, in spite of all the efforts of the military and police, he practically rules the land from the Irra waddy to the Chindwin. His ferocious cruelty is something appalling, and his The Dacoit ' s Treasure hatred of Europeans amounts almost to madness. I am too old a traveller to wish to dissuade you from continuing your expedition, but I must urge you to take a thoroughly trustworthy guide. Unless you do, you will probably very soon find yourselves in Po Thaw's clutches. I have on board the very man you need. He knows Upper Burma thoroughly, and is as true as steel. He hates dacoits like poison, and has very good reason for doing so, as they crucified his father and strangled his mother."

" Does he speak English? " Murray asked. "Fluently," the geologist replied. "In fact, his knowledge is a little too good, for he has translated the Lawkanidi, the Burmese book of proverbs, and studs his conversation with its wise sayings. Would you like to speak to him ? " Yes, if he is open to an engagement." "His service with me expires directly we reach Mandalay. I'll call him." Tha Bu, the guide in question, quickly obeyed the geologist's call. Like most Burmans, he was short, thick-set, and attired in the brightest of skirts and turbans. He greeted the Englishmen with a kind of half-military salute, placed his huge cheroot in his mouth, and waited to hear what was required of him. " These gentlemen," the geologist said to him, " require a Burman to guide them through the country which lies between the Irrawaddy and the Chindwin.

I have recommended you." Tha Bu smiled, and said pleasantly, " I shall consider it a great honour to serve the white masters." "If you serve us faithfully, you shall be liberally rewarded," Cameron declared. " Liberality begets love and attracts at tendants," Tha Bu promptly replied, " but niggardliness arouses hatred and keeps a man solitary." " Is that his usual style of conversation?" Murray inquired in an undertone. "Oh, no! He is only trying to impress you with his wisdom," the geologist replied, laughingly. "He drops his fine talk in time of danger, or when matters of im portance have to be attended to." "How many white masters are going? Tha Bu asked. 'Three," Cameron replied. With new rifles from England ? " Yes." A smile of intense satisfaction passed over the Burman's face, and he muttered, loudly enough for the Englishmen to hear, " Now thou dog, Po Thaw, beware !

" Terms were easily arranged, and Tha Bu was installed as guide forthwith. He proved his usefulness as soon as the adventurers stepped off the steamer at Mandalay by taking them straight to the most comfortable hotel in the city. He allowed his "white masters" barely half an hour to settle themselves, and then, entering their room, he saluted them and said abruptly, "A buffalo delights in mud, a duck in a pond, a priest in the Law ; but a woman delights in her husband." Cameron nodded his head approvingly. " Such a woman is Mah Shway O, my wife," Tha Bu declared. " I am exceedingly glad to hear it," Cameron assured him. " But now let us talk about our expedition." " I was doing so : my wife says she will accompany us." " Nonsense ! We can't be hampered with a woman," said Cameron shortly. "The dangers of the journey will be many," Murray joined in, " and your wife might fall into the hands of the dacoits."

" I have told her that," Tha Bu replied, " but nevertheless she declares that if I go with you, so will she." "Very well, then, let her accompany us," Cameron said, guessing at once that Tha Bu, like most Burmans, had implicitly to obey his wife.1 "We shall start early to morrow morning. Have a boat ready for us. The coolies and bullock-carts we can hire when we have crossed the river." 1 King Theebaw was a notable example of a hen pecked husband. Queen Supayalat not only ruled him, but practically ruled the whole of Upper Burma, and the atrocities which marked his reign were, in the majority of cases, instigated by her.

Chapter II Po Thaw Appears

A T an early hour the following morning ■*■ *■ the three Englishmen and Tha Bu started for the river-side. Mah Shway O,1 Tha Bus wife, was awaiting them in the boat, smoking the inevitable cheroot. She greeted the travellers with a pleasant smile, and then set to work to stow away the baggage. The trip across the river was uneventful, and the landing was effected at a picturesque little village of bamboo-and mat huts. All the inhabitants turned out to watch the Englishmen land. "The white lords 1 A Burmese woman retains her maiden name after marriage. Children are not named after either of their parents. want coolies and bullock-carts ! " Tha Bu shouted ; and immediately some half-dozen men advanced, squatting down when they drew near to the Englishmen. Cameron explained to them how far he wanted them to accompany him, and offered them good terms, which they promptly re fused.

A Burman is passionately fond of driving a bargain — not so much for the sake of profit as for the pleasure of arguing. He is wonderfully proud of obtaining an anna more than is offered him. Cameron, of course, knew the national failing, and had purposely offered the men a trifle less than he intended to pay them. The Burmans produced their most weighty arguments, and Cameron gravely answered them. After the discussion had lasted for ten minutes, Cameron offered to raise the pay one anna per man per week. The offer was immediately accepted, and everybody was perfectly satisfied. Po Thaw Appears In less than an hour the expedition started from the village. At the head of it marched Tha Bu and Johnson. Then came two bullock-carts and four spare bullocks, followed by Cameron and Murray. Four Burmese coolies brought up the rear.

The three Englishmen and Tha Bu carried both rifles and revolvers, but the coolies and cart men were armed only with dahs,1 which they carried slung over the left shoulder. Mah Shway O, too, who rode in the first bullock cart and appeared to consider the expedition excellent fun, had a dah beside her, which she declared she would use if necessity required. The Burmans had discarded their brilliant turbans, and had tucked their skirts tightly between their legs, fastening them at the waist behind. For an hour or so they journeyed through the dense jungle, Johnson and Tha Bu 1 A dah is a formidable, long-handled weapon, slightly curved backwards in the blade and used, as occasion may require, as a sword or a knife. m discussing the probability of a fight with the dacoits, as the party forced their way through the thick, tangled undergrowth.

They were far more anxious to meet the fiendish robbers than were Cameron and Murray. The heat was intense, for the elephant-grass, which grew to a height of over twelve feet on either side of the narrow track, kept off any little breeze there might have been. Late in the day they reached a monastery, and a few minutes later a village, where they halted. The villagers greeted them most hospitably, placing food and drink before them without any thought of payment. The travellers soon saw that an event of some importance was about to take place in the village. Tha Bu made inquiries among the people, and obtained the informa tion he required. "To-morrow, sir," he reported to Cameron, " the headman's son is to be made a monk." " But this is not the usual time of year THEIR WA T UNDERGROWT for an ordination," Cameron 'replied sus piciously.

"It is not, sir, but the pious head of the monastery has permitted the present candi date to be ordained at this season, as illness prevented his presenting himself at the proper time. The headman will be pleased if you are present at the festivities." " One word for the headman and two for yourself, Tha Bu," Cameron answered, smiling. " I suppose you enjoy a show as much as the majority of your country men r Tha Bu drew himself up. " I am what nature made me," he replied with dignity, "and the wisdom that I have acquired can not stifle my national tastes." "Is an ordination ceremony a showy affair, then ? " asked Murray, who had been listening to the conversation. "The ceremony itself is exceedingly solemn," Cameron replied, "but the events which precede it are decidedly frivolous and gay, as the last day of a Burman's life as a layman is spent in a manner which, from a Christian point of view, would be considered the reverse of a suitable preparation for a monastic life.

The Burmese look at the matter in this light : If a man has never indulged in the pleasures and dissipations of the world, his retiring from it is no great work of merit ; but if, on the other hand, he spends the last day or two of his life as a layman in the full enjoyment of every plea sure dear to a Burman's heart, the austerity of a monastic life will be more keenly felt by him, and consequently his act of renuncia tion will be the more meritorious." On the following day, at the hour ap pointed for the festivities to commence, the Englishmen made their way to the headman of the village, who provided seats for his visitors where they could watch the whole of the proceedings, which began with a pro cession, headed by a band consisting chiefly of drums and discordant reed instruments. Girls were to be seen attired in brilliant costume and loaded with jewellery ; women were there with fruit and flowers for the pagodas ; and men carried aloft an imita tion tree made of bamboo, from the branches of which were suspended the future priest's collecting bowl, fan, water-bottle, etc.

Then came the future priest himself. His clothes were gorgeous. He had several gold rings on each of his fingers, but instead of wearing a turban his head was covered with tinsel and gum-flowers. When the procession had passed round the village, the youth moved from the stage on which he had been carried to a beautifully decorated throne, erected outside his father's house. The crowd im mediately sat down in the road, leaving a clear space in front of the throne for the performers. Dancing-girls, jugglers, football players, and boxing men in turn performed before the throne, and the proceedings were not nearly at an end when the Englishmen retired from the scene. " Well, what did you think of the per formance ? " Cameron asked, as he and Murray walked to the hut set apart for them. " Oh, I wasn't particularly interested," Murray replied, " but possibly that was because of a man in the crowd who was watching us keenly all the time.