352 The Natural Historic 



of the whole I^ation, and accordingly is to be put to Death 

 at such a time as they prefix. 



Upon this Summons or J^otice, all that are able to appear 

 from all the adjacent parts, with all the Joy imaginable, as 

 if they were going to celebrate some Play or other Diversion 

 for the Entertainment of the whole Company. At this Meet- 

 ing they generally have a Feast prepared before they begin 

 the Execution of the Criminal, which they perform in the 

 manner following: They bring the Prisoner to the place 

 appointed for his Execution, where he is set down upon the 

 Ground, all the Company get about him, and there is not one 

 sorrowful or dejected Countenance to be seen amongst them: 

 Every thing being thus prepared, the Person appointed to be 

 chief Executioner takes a Knife, and bids the Criminal hold 

 out his Hands, which he does, then another cuts the Skin 

 round the Wrist, which is dra\vn off like a Glove, and flead 

 off at the Eingers end, break his Joints and Bones with great 

 Clubs, and buffet and torment him, 'till some violent Blow 

 puts an end to his wretched Life : They burn him to Ashes, 

 which they carefully gather and throw down the Bivers, as 

 unworthy that the Earth should contain them. 



As soon as this tragical Scene is over, they begin their 

 Eeast, and eat and drink chearfully, repeating all the Ac- 

 tions of the Tormenters, with the Prisoners behaviour during 

 his Tortures ; thus they spend the Night in one continued 

 Scene of Mirth and Jollity, in having put to Death the com- 

 mon Enemy of their iNTation, and all the others in Friendship 

 with them. 



These Accusations are often wrongfully laid against lr\r 

 dian Heroes, or a great Man they have a mind to get rid of, 

 that has more Courage and Conduct than his ^Neighbouring 

 Kings, or War Captaitis; it is then they alledge the Practice 



of 



