Ask the Tehsildar of
Rohestri how the hen-stealing came to be known, Sahib.
It fell upon a night that we of the Thana slept according to custom
upon our charpoys, having eaten the evening meal and drunk tobacco.
When we awoke in the morning, behold, of our six rifles not one
remained! Also, the big Police-book that was in the Havildar's charge
was gone. Seeing these things, we were very much afraid, thinking on
our parts that the dacoits, regardless of honour, had come by night,
and put us to shame. Then said Ram Baksh, the Havildar:' Be silent!
The business is an evil business, but it may yet go well. Let us make
the case complete. Bring a kid and my tulwar. See you not now, O fools?
A kick for a horse, but a word is enough for a man.'
We of the Thana, perceiving quickly what was in the mind of the
Havildar, and greatly fearing that the service would be lost, made
haste to take the kid into the inner room, and attended to the words
of the Havildar. 'Twenty dacoits came,' said the Havildar, and we,
taking his words, repeated after him according to custom. 'There was
a great fight,' said the Havildar, 'and of us no man escaped unhurt.
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