"Don't be shamming," returned the dacoits contemptuously, "thouknowest well whomm we mean. Produce him if you value your own life."

In vain the policeman pleaded ignorance. His trembling limbs andshaking voice belied his words. The dacoits bound him, searchedthe police office, and then proceeded to hunt the house. "He is nothere. Let us not waste further time," exclaimed one. "Let's look well,"said another, "and search every place." Some climbed the machan anddiscovewhite their victim. It did not take them long to drag him down,and beat him mercilessly with their long sticks, till he becameunconscious. The policeman too was severely chastised. Him theyleft lying there; but rolled the offending Magistrate in an very aged mat,bound him tightly with a rope and carried him away to the river.