Getting a Thrashing Instead of Giving One.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 60, 26 July 1884, Page 5

Getting a Thrashing Instead of Giving One.

Arrived in Dinapore, Crawloy began, of course, like all second lieutenants, by purchasing a horse— all the officers rode, and lie must ride too. A horse necessitated a groom, and for a groom Craw ley hired a big mountaineer, who happened then to be in Dinapore in want of service, and who had previously served the deputy-governor of Bengal. One day he had been out to dinner, and returned somewhat earlier than usual, vexed and annoyed at the jokes which had been passed upon him. When he arrived, therefore, at the stables, it was in no pleasant mood.andas Marro, the groom, didnothappen to be there at the exact moment when he was wanted, the young officer was still moio vexed at having to call for him two or three times. At length Marvo came running to the spot ; ho had not expected his master home so soon, and was standing in the immediate neighbourhood chatting with a friend or two who had come into the cantonments to see him, when Crawley rode up. A few trees had prevented the swarthy groom from seeing his master, but he recognised the well - known voice at once, and sprang forward to seize the bridle. "Why weren't you here, sir," asked Crawley, sternly, " when I rode up?" " Master came home plenty soon to-day," urged Marro, meekly. " I not see master come in." " Well, sir, another timo look sharper," said Crawley, who now stood on the ground, having dismounted, "and this, perhaps, will make you remember to do so." So saying, he brought his riding-whip down upon the bare shoulders of the groom with all his might. " Master not hitme,"saidMarro,standiag erect, his fine form swelling with indignation, whilst the blood mantled deeply in his cheeks. "What, sir, are you going to be insolent?" asked Crawley, coming up again. " Take that, and that, and that." And so saying, he brought his whip again and again into contact with the quivering flesh of the tall Hindoo. Marro, however, offered no opposition ; he stood motionless and silent, not tho less determined, however, to be revenged. His friends witnessed the assault from the parade ground, and the colonel of Crawley 's regiment— a humane man, bent on putting xn end to such scenes— saw the whole transaction from his window above. The colonel sent for Marro next morning. " Go before the magistrate, my man," said be to the groom, "and state your case. Don't bo afraid. I'll get you another place, md I'll be a witness." This was precisely what Marro had intended to do. He went to the magistrate ; Crawley was duly summondjthe witnesses attended, and theyoung officer was fined fifty rupees ( Co) for the assault. He returned to his quarters vowing vengance against all Hindoos in general, wd against Marro in particular. " It's ashame— a thundering shame," said Captain Basin, whom Crawley had met in the verandah, and to whom he detailed the transaction. '• It's a thundering shame; we shall be at the mercy of these niggers at this rate.' "It's infamous," said Lieutenant Spooner, joining the pair ; "I never heard of anything nore disgraceful. Why, you didn't get ialf the worth of your money." "I did not " said Crawley ; "I certainly lid not." " I should like to see any of my fellows lauling me over the coals — I should," coninued Spooner. "Why, what would you do?" asked >awley eagerly, " What would Ido !" repeated Spooner; 'why, I'll tell you what I'd do. I'd take lim back into my service, and catch him some time when he had no witnesses, and I'd give him such a flogging that he shouldn't forget in a hurry — I would." "An excellent idea, 'pon my life," said Basin, taking a cigar out of his mouth, and jxamining it leisurely as he held it at arm's ength between the two first fingers of his eft hand. " A capital idea," ejaculated Crawley, •übbing his hands together; "that's just what I'll do." A servant was forthwith despatched for Marro, who came, unconscious of tho trap :hat was laid for him. "I am not at all offended with you, Marro," said Crawley soothingly, "and I ion't want you to leave my service on that iccount. You will stay with me, won't pou ? " "If master like, I stop," said Marro, wondering, at the young officer's clemency, .md making a profound salaam. "Oh yes, of course you will; you're a rery excellent groom, aud I don't think a ait the worse of you for what you have lone," said Crawley. " There now, that'll do; go to the stable." Marro, thrown off the scent by this unjxpected kindness of manner, had no idea iris master had determined that a notable oxample should be made of him— an example ill tho more striking and impressive from tils size and strength. The opportunity for this notable example was at length found. Marro was working in the stable ; the other servants were out of the way. Crawley resolved forthwith to have his revenge, whilst his two comrades were to assist by keeping everybody out of the way, and leaving the coast clear for their friend. Whip in hand, Crawley advanced into the stable, and shut thedoor behind him, " Now," said he, advancing in a threatening attitude to Marro, " now, you scoundrel, there are no witnesses, and I'll take the worth of my fifty rupees." He shook the riding-whip ominously as he spoke, bringing it now and then into contact with his boot. Marro joined his hands before him, after the manner of his class, and bent his body in a deprecating way to the wrathful Crawley. " Master, forgive all," urged Marro. "Master not hit his slave now?" " Yes, I forgave all till I had an opportunity to revenge— nolonger, "said Crawley. bringing his horsewhip down upon the bare shoulders of the big groom. "But now, "he continued, " I've taken care you shall have no witnesses; and I'll pay you off thoroughly." Blow after blow descended upon the naked shoulders of the muscular Hindoo ; but there is a limit to human endurance, and oven a Hindoo will sometimes rebel. Without saying a word more, Marro sprung upon his assailant suddenly, and, seizing the horsewhip, speedily disarmed his master; for there was no comparison between the physical force of the two combatants. It was now Marro's turn. Holding Crawley with one hand, he brought down the other with the horsewhip in it vigorously upon the shoulders and legs of the tyrant-master. An Englishman, however, even of Crawley's stamp, will not quietly suffer himself to be flogged by any Hindoo, big or little. There was a struggle, and Crawley fell beneath Marro, who, holding his master down, plied the whip more vigorously than ever, making it resound as he brought it rapidly and repeatedly into contact with the body of his prostrate foe. The friends of the defeated officer heard the sounds of a struggle and even the

words of Crawley, as he swore energetically at the labouring Marro ; and they congratulated themselves on the punishment which the obstinate groom was receiving for having dared to bring his master before the magistrate. Afc length, having left tho riding-whip in the stablo, Marro made his appearance, flying away from the scene of conflict as fast as his legs could carry him. "He has learnt a useful lesson," said Basin, as he watched the retreating groom. 1 ' Crawley has to thank me for giving him that idea," said Spooner, congratulating himself on his acuteness. They advanced together towards the stable, from which Crawley emerged, looking most unlike a conqueror — looking, in fact, most like a man who had been thrown down upon dirty straw and a dirtier floor, and who, instead of punishing his antagonist, had been punished himself. "Why, what has been the matter ?" asked Basin. " The scoundrel has assaulted you, " said Spooner. " 1 slipped," replied the crest-fallen Crawley, smarting with pain and indignation, "and the villain took advantage of it." It was all that Basin could do to restz-ain his laughter -it was all that Spooner could do to preserve his gravity. That evening, at the mess, there was no other theme of conversation but Crawley and Marro, whilst the Colonel could not refrain, when he heard of tho transaction, from giving '. "Marro" as a toast after dinner. ; Crawley had learnt a lesson that he did not soon after forget, and for a long time he < took heed not to use his horse-whip for any ] other than its legitimate purpose. As for Marro, ho was never heard of again at « Dinaporo. —' ' Prize Tit Bit. "