The dacoits found nothing below worth attention and trooped upstairs.  The flickering glare of their torches fell upon a life-like image of Kali the Terrible.  With protruding scarlet tongue and fixed staring eyes, the girl stood immovable and breathless, silently invoking all her family gods to come to her aid in her bold design.

With an awe-struck cry of “Mercy! mercy!  Kali-Ma!”, the thieves fell prostrate at her feet.  The girl held her breath.  Was it possible that her plan had succeeded?  The slow seconds passed.  The Chief arose.  “Come, brothers, we touch nothing where Mother Kali is worshipped.”  With hasty and reverent steps they descended the stairs and left the house.

Long after the dacoits had gone the girl stood there.  Then the strain snapped and she relapsed to her normal self.  Fear swept over her and she rushed out of the house.  But her trembling limbs could not carry her far.  She fell in a dead faint on the pathway.  The neighbours, who had heard the dacoits enter the house and seen them go away silent and empty-handed, came to learn the mystery and found her there.

When the family returned next morning, the neighbours abused them soundly for leaving the girl and her babe behind.  The girl herself was so hurt by the neglect that she had scarcely strength enough to relate the strange happenings of the night.  Her husband found it difficult to make his peace; he said that he believed her to be with the ladies of the family.  In zenana families even the most devoted husband has little voice in his wife’s movements, as all arrangements are left in the hands of the mother-in-law.  There were several ladies and children in the family and the mother-in-law had thought the girl was with some of them.  Friendship was however finally restored.  All generously admired her ingenuity and realised her bravery.  From the white-haired old father to the smallest child, everyone was grateful then and always after for her presence of mind on that memorable night.

The Deputy Magistrate

In the Dacca district, a few years ago, there was a big dacoity.  A Deputy Magistrate was ordered to secretly investigate the matter and, if possible, to capture the miscreants.

Besides his cook and personal attendants he took with him some policemen.  All were disguised.  They travelled in several small boats.

It was late in the evening as they neared the place, where the burglary had occurred.  He decided to proceed no further that night.  The boats put to; the men cooked their evening meal and all retired.

About midnight, the Magistrate awoke with a start to hear many voices calling him by name.  He listened:  “So you have come to arrest us, to put us in jail, to hang us.  Ah! you will soon see who will be punished.  We shall know how clever you are!”