A Sneeze in Time

The 4,000 Indian policemen had temporarily abandoned their attempts to capture Man Singh, the most successful bandit leader of modern Indian history (TIME, July 19). But deep in the lush northern Indian jungles, protected by the monsoon rains, superstitious Bandit Man Singh was still going strong last week. He had prepared a sacrifice to the goddess Kali; tied to stakes before a stone idol were two terrified Indian policemen. While dacoits, members of Man Singh's band of robbers, chanted hymns, a priest reverently bathed the idol's feet, then sprinkled water from the same pitcher on the victims.

Then came the signal to fire. But just as three of the dacoits aimed their rifles at the victims, one of the bound policemen sneezed, distracting the firing detail so much that all the shots missed. Worried by this bad-luck omen, Man Singh strode to the staked men and demanded: "To which caste do you belong?" Protested the policemen: "We are Moslems!" This explained everything. Kali desired no Moslem sacrifices--only Hindus. Man Singh untied the prisoners, sternly bade them go. Thankfully the policemen stumbled into the jungle and made their way back to their post.

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