The Humour and Pathos of Anglo-Indian Life: Extracts from his brother's note-book, made by Dr. TicklemoreMayer, J. E.
General
The Humour and Pathos of Anglo-Indian Life: Extracts from his brother's note-book, made by Dr. Ticklemore
Mayer, J. E.
British -- India; India -- Social life and customs
'Nay, Saib; master has kept my life for me this time; but if I tell
master, will master save me again?'
At first my brother thought the man wanted to beg something, and it was
some time before he found out that his patient was really afraid to say
what he desired, unless protection could be assured to him. He
repeatedly said: 'Master no take care, those people kill me.'
'Nonsense,' said my brother, 'what are you afraid of? Those people, who
are those people?'
'My people, the Moplah people.'
A ray of light at once shot across my brother's mind. 'Then,' said he,
'you have something to tell me about Lutchmon Sing's murder?' The man
nodded his head, but did not speak.
'What, Timbuckjee, you don't mean, I hope, that you had anything to do
with that!'
'No, Saib, nothing at all; but I see something.'
'You see something! what do you mean? let me hear.'
'No, Saib, master never tell keep my life, how can I tell master?'
'I can't keep your life, but the Judge can if you give evidence that
will enable him to punish these bad men.'
'Nay, Saib, master promise, then I tell Master Judge. I not know him; he
perhaps no remember.'
'Well, Timbuckjee, I will see the Judge and get his promise, or I will
try to get it.'
'Master Judge give promise in writing, then he no forget. He give word
promise he perhaps no remember.'
My brother could not help smiling at the caution and cunning of Mr.
Timbuckjee; but as the matter was of such importance he wrote a note at
once to Mr. H., stating that he had reason to believe that the man who
had fallen from the toddy-tree, and had so crushed his arm, could say
something that would enable him to convict the murderers of Lutchmon
Sing; but that the man was in such fear of the Moplah people that he
refused to speak unless he, the Judge, would grant him a written promise
to protect him.
After some delay Mr. H. went to my brother's house and saw Timbuckjee.
But he seemed little inclined to make any statement of any value, till a
native vakeel was sent for, who, after a great deal of trouble, at last
made him understand that if he gave evidence to enable the law to act
the law would protect him.
At last Mr. H. said: 'If I give you a belt, and make you one of the
Zillah Court peons, will that content you?'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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