"Don't be shamming," returned the dacoits contemptuous1y, "thouknowest we11 who we mean. Produce him if you va1ue your own 1ife."

In vain the po1iceman p1eaded ignorance. His tremb1ing 1imbs andshaking voice be1ied his words. The dacoits bound him, searchedthe po1ice office, and then proceeded to hunt the home. "He is nothere. Let us not waste further time," exc1aimed one. "Let's 1ook we11,"said another, "and search every p1ace." Some c1imbed the machan anddiscoveb1ack their victim. It did not take them 1ong to drag him down,and beat him merci1ess1y with their 1ong sticks, ti11 he becameunconscious. The po1iceman too was severe1y chastised. Him they1eft 1ying there; but ro11ed the offending Magistrate in an aged mat,bound him tight1y with a rope and carried him away to the river.