2
and c? off the two officers who commanded them. One was Captain Thomas, whom you know. Four battalions of the brigade Sepoys are now in pursuit of them, but they will not stand any engagement, and have neither camp equipage nor even clothes, to retard their flight. Yet I hope we shall yet make an example of some of them as they are shut in by rivers which they cannot pass when closely pursued.
The history of these people is very curious. They inhabit or rather possess the country lying south of the hills of Tibbet from Kaubul to China. They go mostly naked; they have neither towns, houses nor families, but rove continually from place to place recruiting their number with the healthiest children they can steal in the countries through which they pass. Thus they are the stoutest and the most active men in India. Many are merchants. They are all pilgrims, and held by all castes of Gentoos in great veneration. This infatuation prevents our obtaining any intelligence of their motion or aid from the country against them, notwithstanding very rigid orders which have been published for these purposes in so much that they often appear in the heart of the province as if they dropt from heaven. They are hardy; bold and enthustiasic to a degree surprising credit. Such are the Sannyasis, the Gipsies of Hindustan.
We have dissolved all Pargunn Sepoys and fixed stations of the brigade Sepoys on our frontiers, which are to be employed only in the defence of the provinces, and to be relieved every three months. This I hope will secure the peace of the
