120 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
with a heartlessness of purpose only second to that 
of their tributaries, make large demands upon them 
for the benefit of their spiritually kind offices with 
the deities whom the plunderers are desirous to pro- 
pitiate. 
Inured as these people are to the most appalling 
crimes, they are rigidly scrupulous in performing the 
rites of their abominable worship, and willingly de- 
vote a great portion of their gains to the shrines 
of their idol divinities. After these two important 
portions are taken from their booty, the remainder 
is divided among them in certain proportions, accord- 
ing to their admitted claims. To their chief is ap- 
propriated a double share, he being considered the 
animating spirit of the society. The person who casts 
the noose and actually strangles the victim receives a 
share and half; so does he who mangles the body. 
All who were present, but not actually engaged, have 
each one share ; and they who were not present half 
a share. These divisions are made with such re- 
gularity, that there is neither bickering nor dissa- 
tisfaction. Each person disposes of his portion as he 
pleases, and it is generally sold to the readiest pur- 
chasers for at least a twentieth part of its value. To 
obviate suspicion, it is always got rid of at a distance 
from the scene. 
The reason these people give for mutilating and bu- 
rying the bodies of those whom they despatch is as 
follows They relate that a certain goddess, to whom 
they pay especial adoration, used to relieve them from 
the trouble of interring the corpses of their victims by 
devouring them — thus securing the murderers from all 
