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so binding or sacred as that of a Bhaut, because, on failure of the 

 obligation, he proceeds to the house of the offending party, and 

 in his presence destroys either himself or one of his family, im- 

 precating the most dreadful vengeance of the gods on the head 

 of him who had compelled them to shed their blood. This is 

 deemed a dire catastrophe; as the Hindoos are taught to believe 

 that the Bhaut's life, to which a superstitious veneration is attached, 

 over and above their common horror of bloodshed, will be de- 

 manded from the aggressor by an offended deity; it is therefore 

 very uncommon for an obligation to be broken where a Bhaut 

 stands security. 



For this responsibility the Bhauts receive an annual stipend 

 from the district, village, or individual they guarantee: they sign 

 their name and place of abode to the agreement, but instead of 

 affixing their seal, as customary among the other tribes, they draw 

 the figure of the catarra, or dagger, their usual instrument of 

 death. 



This custom of the Bhauts shedding their own blood, or that 

 of their family, has some analogy with many passages in ancient 

 history, especially among those nations who ratified their solemn 

 covenants by a bloody sacrifice. One method was to kill an ox, 

 and after many religious rites, to distribute it in pieces among 

 their friends; all who eat of it were from that moment connected 

 by a sacred tie, and bound to perform their part of the covenant, 

 whether to revenge an injury, or for any other purpose. Lucian 

 says, " When anyone of the ancient Scythians received an injury, 

 and had not the means of avenging himself, he sacrificed an ox, 

 and cut it in pieces, which he caused to be dressed, and publicly 



