uests of the caste.

Permanent expulsion [547] from caste is inflicted only for marrying,
or eating regularly, with a man or woman of some other low caste;
but in the case of unmarried persons the latter offence may also be
expiated. Temporary exclusion is imposed for killing a cat, dog or
squirrel, getting maggots in a wound, being sentenced to imprisonment
[548] or committing adultery with a person of any low caste. One
who has committed any of the above offences must be purified by the
Batta of the caste, that is a person who takes the sins of others
upon himself. The Batta conducts the culprit to a river and then
causes him to bathe, cuts off a lock of his hair, breaks a cocoanut
as a sacrifice, and gives him a little cowdung and milk to eat. Then
they proceed to eat together; the Batta eats five mouthfuls first
and declares that he has taken the sin of the offender on himself;
the latter gives the Batta Rs. 1-4 as his fee, and is once more a
proper member of the community. In Berar a Bhoi who has been put
out of caste is received back by his fellows when he has drunk the
water touched by a Brahman's toe, and has feasted them with a bout
of liquor. In towns the caste are generally addicted to drink, and
no marriage or other social function is held without a sufficient
supply of liquor. They also smoke _ganja_ (Indian hemp).

13. Legend of the caste.

The Dhimars are proverbially of a cheerful disposition, though simple
and easily cheated. When carrying _palkis_ or litters at night they
talk continually or sing monotonous songs to lighten the tedium of the
way. In illustration of these qualities the following story is told:
One day when Mahadeo and Parvati were travelling the goddess became
very tired, so Mahadeo created four men from the dust, who bore her
in a litter. On the way they talked and laughed, and Parvati was very
pleased with them, so when she got home she told them to wait while she
sent them out a reward. The Bhois found that they could get plenty of
liquor, so they went on drinking it and forgot all about going for the
reward. In the meantime a Marwari Bania who had heard what the goddess
said, waited at the door of the palace, and when the servants brought
out a bag of money he pretended that he was one of the Bhois and got
them to give him the money, with which he made off. After a time the
Bhois remembered about the reward and went to the door of the palace to
get it, when the goddess came