He gave an order which I did not understand, and a wretched Bombay writer, I suppose a clerk of some moneylender, was dragged forward.

Sivajee Punt spoke to him for some time, and the fellow then told me in English that I was to write at once to the officer commanding the troops, telling him that I was in his hands, and should be put to death directly he was attacked.
"'Ask him,' I said, 'if he will take any sum of money to let me go ?' "Sivajee shook his head very decidedly.
"A piece of paper was put before me, and a pen and ink, and I wrote as I had been ordered, adding however, in French, that I had brought myself into my present position by my own folly, and would take my chance, for I well knew the importance which government attached to Sivajee's capture.

I read out loud all that I had written in English, and the interpreter translated it.

Then the paper was folded and I addressed it, 'The Officer Commanding,' and I was given some chupattis and a drink of water, and allowed to sleep.

The Dacoits had apparently no fear of any immediate attack.
"It was still dark, although morning was just breaking, when I was awakened, and was got up to the citadel.