PHANSIGARS. 
127 
is merely permitted at first to view a dead body, his 
mind being gradually prepared for the sight ; after 
which the dreadful secret of his trade is communi- 
cated to him by degrees. So soon as he expresses a 
wish to be engaged in this horrid service, the whole 
process is at once disclosed. Meanwhile he is allow- 
ed a small share of the booty in order to whet his 
appetite for murder, since it is only by murder that 
this booty is obtained. He is from this time permitted 
to assist in matters of minor importance, while the 
crime is perpetrating ; or if there is nothing for him 
to do, he is allowed to be present, in order that he 
may observe how this essential part of the Phansi- 
gar’s business is managed. It is not, however, until 
he has attained the years of manhood, and evinced 
both prudence and resolution, combined with bodily 
strength and activity, that he is allowed to apply 
the noose — an advancement in dignity to obtain which 
he usually devotes at least eight or ten years of his 
life. 
Before he can claim the full privilege of committing 
murder, he must have been formally presented by his 
ustade with a dhoute — the ordinary name of the instru- 
ment of death employed by these systematic murder- 
ers. This ends his noviciate, and sets him loose upon 
the world a licensed man-slayer. When the cere- 
mony of presenting the dhoute is to take place, a for- 
tunate day is fixed upon, and the grand festival of 
the Dusserah is considered the auspicious period. All 
being duly prepared, the tutor takes his pupil apart, 
and presents him with a new noose, which he solemn- 
ly enjoins him to use with skill and discretion, as it is 
