116 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
rather, they violently rouse him, and when he starts 
from his recumbent position in sudden surprise, they 
cast the noose over his head and strangle him. 
A single traveller is never attacked by less than 
two Phansigars, and if there is the least chance of 
resistance, the two are always joined by a third ; but 
such is the skill which they employ in their deadly 
trade, that they are scarcely ever frustrated in the 
accomplishment of their purpose. 
The usual mode of perpetrating their murders is as 
follows : when their victim is lulled into perfect secu- 
rity, one of the party suddenly passes a noose formed 
of a twisted handkerchief, or a strip of thin muslin, 
over his head, and drawing it dexterously round the 
neck, instantly tightens it with all his strength. The 
moment this is accomplished, a companion strikes the 
struggling man on the joint of his knees behind, 
which causes him to fall forward, and thus to accele- 
rate this summary process of strangulation. When 
he is prostrate, they kick him violently in the tem- 
ples until his sufferings terminate, which is gene- 
rally within the space of a minute. The whole thing 
is so rapidly and adroitly performed, that the sufferer 
has no power to make resistance ; and whatever his 
strength may be, it is seldom or never of any avail 
against these practised adepts in murder. 
Such is the plan commonly pursued ; and al- 
though there may be an occasional deviation in the 
details of the process, yet the method of strangulation 
is never departed from. So cautious are these mon- 
sters, that they do not attempt a robbery, which, as I 
have said, is invariably accompanied with murder. 
