126 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
count of their object and destination, and this being 
given with the apparent artlessness of childhood, he 
passes almost invariably unsuspected. Even should 
suspicions arise, the traveller has no means of realizing 
them ; and whenever the Phansigars are conscious of 
being suspected, they always change their route, and 
soon put themselves beyond the reach of a too vigilant 
scrutiny. It is one fundamental law of their com- 
munity never to expose themselves to any risk of de- 
tection where this can be safely avoided ; and so 
inviolably do they adhere to this cautious regulation, 
that no prospect of gain, however great, can tempt 
them to violate it, where the violation would expose 
them to obvious hazard. 
The protection which they receive from the Poly- 
gars secures them in most cases from molestation. 
The child under initiation is instructed to consi- 
der his interest as opposed to that of society in gene- 
ral, by whom he is detested, and against whom, 
therefore, he is to look upon himself as in a state of 
perpetual hostility. This is one of the natural conse- 
quences of exclusion. To deprive a fellow-creature of 
life is represented to him as an act of no more enor- 
mity than the common and often necessary act of 
killing a reptile which insidiously lies in his path, 
and would bite or sting him as he passes. The boy is 
not at first allowed to witness the murders ; while 
these are taking place he is sent with one of the 
watchers to a distance from the scene, lest the reaction 
of terror at beholding a deed so revolting to humanity 
should create a shock that would withhold him from 
embracing the inhuman profession of phansigary. He 
