500 Messrs. Bvhton and Ward's Journey into the Bat ale Country. 



Besides tliis particular interference in the public affairs of the community, 

 they suppose that every individual is constantly attended and M'atclied over 

 by a number of genii, both good and evil, called Bogus and Saltans. 

 These are chiefly the souls of their departed ancestors, whom they 

 look upon as possessing extensive power over the li\ang, either to protect 

 or to afflict them. By these various orders of divinities and subordinate 

 spirits the superstitious Bataks are held in such perpetual diead, that 

 it is not without the most harassing apprehensions they leave their villages, 

 even for a journey of no considerable distance or apparent danger. In 

 their apprehension, indeed, dangers prove none the less real for being 

 invisible : the path to others may seem open, clear, and safe ; but their 

 imagination, ever teeming with Bogus and Saltans, pictures to them a 

 demon at every turn. On our way to Tappanooly, we were once anxiously 

 asked by a company passing, wliether we had seen any Saltans on the 

 road ? Not a village they had to pass but had its Boru na mora and Rombu 

 si porhas, protecting its interests and avenging its injuries, besides a host 

 of ghosts and spirits wandering in its vicinity; and if they or their ancestors 

 had perchance offered a slight or an insult to any of them, now might be the 

 time for its being avenged. 



Priesthood. 



As the deities presiding over ■villages and individuals are supposed to 

 manifest their approbation or disapprobation by remarkable appearances in 

 various objects, the principal qualifications for the office of the priesthood 

 consist in a knowledge of the appropriate articles used in sacrifices, and 

 the suitable times for offering them, together with an adequate skill in signs 

 and omens. There is generally one priest in every village. He receives, 

 we believe, no consecration to his office, but is selected from amongst those 

 who are best acquainted Avith their books and superstitions ; and as the 

 ability to read is mostly confined to the families of the chiefs, it frequently 

 happens that the offices of 7-ajd and priest are united in the same person. 

 He expounds all their religious books, and according to his interpretation 

 a day is chosen as propitious to their object ; and they will not engage in 

 any undertaking however trifling, nor make the smallest alteration in their do- 

 mestic economy, without first consulting him. On one occasion we were 

 present when the Datu of Slbolgcfs cowkeeper came to inform his master 

 that a fold for cattle which he had just procured was ready for their recep- 



