THE GARO'S OATH 



" My friends," he began, in a voice trembling with 

 emotion, " I am not guilty of this crime. Why should I 

 slay the poor old man, who has never done me harm ? 

 It is true the knife that killed him belongs to me ; it is 

 useless to deny the fact, for it is well-known to all of you. 

 But how it came here is more than I can say. It was stolen 

 from me some days ago, and the man who stole it is the 

 murderer. The anklets I know nothing of. I will not 

 say more, for how is it possible for me to prove my innocence 

 to you ? But you all know and respect our ancient Garo 

 oath, and I will repeat it in your presence." Then, in 

 deep, solemn tones, he repeated the well-known words : 

 " May I be killed by a wild elephant if what I have said is 

 false ! " 



As Pembu concluded this simple, manly speech, a 

 murmur of applause arose from the assembled multitude, 

 and more than one voice was raised on his behalf. 



In spite of the terrible evidence against him, there was 

 now scarcely a man present who believed him guilty of the 

 crime, more especially amongst the elders, the men on whose 

 verdict his liberty, perhaps his life, depended. With all 

 the traditions of their race still strong within them, these 

 Garos of the older school dared not ignore a statement made 

 on such an oath, and were about to pronounce in favour of 

 the youth when, at this critical moment, there was a sudden 

 movement in the crowd, and a man, forcing his way through, 

 called out that he had some important evidence to give. 



He said that on the previous night, as he was passing 

 the old man's hut, he had seen Pembu come quickly out 

 of it carrying something in his hand a knife, it looked like. 

 Finding himself discovered he had run into the jungle. 

 Concluding his statement, the man swore to it on the 

 customary oath. 



In a moment the whole attitude of the people changed 

 as if by magic. Here was conclusive evidence of Pembu's 

 guilt, aggravated a hundred-fold in their eyes by his sworn 

 denial of the crime. Some suggested that he should be 

 stoned to death at once ; others, that he be bound and cast 

 into the jungle to be dealt with by the beast whose 

 vengeance he had so audaciously invoked. For a time it 

 seemed as if the last suggestion would be carried out at 



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