Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/94

TOOLSEE. place of rendezvous previously agreed upon. The crime prevails all over India, and is common to all classes of people, not excepting Brahmins and Rajpoots. Dacoits, like Thugs, are very superstitious, and worship the axe which is carried by the leader, and is used in breaking open bolts, padlocks, hinges, &c. This axe is a heavy one, thickly made, and with an edge of highly tempered steel. It is borne in a silk cover at the back of the person in whose charge it is, who carries also its helve in his hand; when required, the helve is easily fitted, and the weapon becomes most efficient. The axe is sacred to Bhowanee or Devi, and is kept wrapped in silken cloths and perfume till it is required for a piece of business; it is then taken out, bathed with ceremony, sacrifices made, and incense burned to it, after which the Omens are observed, and the expedition sets out, or not, as the omens may direct.