J82 



STRANGE CUSTOMS OF SAVAGE RULERS. 



against a brief application of hot iron, and that they previously 

 apply it to an accused person who will pay for it. 



The Chitome has the privilege of conducting the coronation of 

 a king. The new ruler proceeds to the house of the Chitome, 

 attended by a host of his future subjects, who utter piercing yells 

 as he goes. Having reached the sacred house, he kneels before the 

 door, and asks the Chitome to be gracious to him. The Chitome 

 growls out a flat refusal from within. The king renews his suppli- 

 cations, in spite of repeated rebuffs, enumerating all the presents 

 which he has brought to the Chitome — which presents, by the way. 



^m^ 



A HAPPY NATIVE. 



are easily made, as he will extort an equal amount from his subjects 

 as soon as he is fairly installed. 



At last, the door of the hut opens, and out comes the Chitome 

 in his white robe of office, his head covered with feathers, and a 

 shining mirror on his breast. The king lies prostrate before the 

 house, while the Chitome pours water on him, scatters dust over 

 him, and sets his feet on him. He then lies flat on the prostrate 

 monarch, and in that position receives from him a promise to respect 

 his authority ever afterward. The king is then proclaimed, and 

 retires to wash and change his clothes. 



Presently he comes out of the palace, attended by his priests 

 and nobles, and gorgeous in all the bravery of his new rank, his 

 whole person covered with glittering ornaments of metal, glass, 



