318 LAWSON'S HISTORY 



and put it in execution, the first opportunity that 

 offers. 



The succession falls not to the king's son, but to 

 his sister's son, which is a sure way to prevent im- 

 postors in the succession. Sometimes they poison 

 the heir to make way for another, which is mot 

 seldom done, when they do not approve of the 

 youth that is to succeed them. The king himself 

 is commonly chief Dr. in that cure. 



They are so well versed in poison, that they 

 are often found to poison whole families ; nay, 

 most of a town ; and which is most to he admired, 

 they will'poison a running spring or fountain of 

 water, PO that whosoever drinks thereof, shall in- 

 fallihly die. When the offender is discovered, his 

 very relations urge for death, whom nothing will 

 appease, but the most cruel torment imaginable 

 which is executed in the most public manner that 

 it is possible to act such a tragedy in. For all the 

 whole nation, and all the Indians within a hundred 

 miles, if it is possible to send for them, are sum- 

 moned to come and appear at such a place and 

 time, to see and rejoice at the torments and death 

 of such a person, who is the common and professed 

 enemy to all the friendly Indians thereabouts, who 

 now lies under the condemnation of the whole na- 

 tion, and accordingly is to be put to death. Then 

 all appear, young and old, from all the adjacent 

 parts, and meet, with all the expressions of joy, to 

 consummate this horrid and barbarous feast, which 

 js carried on after this dismal manner. First, 



