ADVENTURES IN CAMP AND JUNGLE. 331 



the various native states attended, and the Bheels assembled 

 to the number of about seven hundred. The first case being 

 called on, the plaintiff and defendant came forward. They 

 were told to name two men each, as arbiters, from the Bheels 

 assembled. These four were then directed to hear what both 

 parties had to say, and, in the event of their finding for the 

 plaintiff, to ascertain the amount of his loss. To ensure free- 

 dom from interference by other parties, a constable was told 

 off to remain by them, and they then moved off. The 

 arbiters were authorised to call up from the Bheels who were 

 present any witnesses they might require. The next and 

 subsequent cases were disposed of in the same manner. 

 From time to time the arbiters came up and made known 

 their decisions, which were then and there entered on the 

 general sheet. The great advantage of this course of pro- 

 cedure was, that in nearly every case the arbiters were fully 

 acquainted with all the particulars of the matter under inves- 

 tigation. The feeling of honour among thieves was strong, and 

 it was heightened by the certainty that an unjust award would 

 inevitably be followed by active reprisals on the property of 

 the judges themselves by the injured plaintiff or defendant. 



These courts were always attended by the most beneficial 

 results, and for some time after they were held, life and 

 property, on both sides of the frontier, were comparatively 

 secure. By no other course could restitution be fairly accom- 

 plished, as plundered cattle and other property were> on 

 being swept over the frontier, at once divided among the 

 plunderers, by whom they were speedily sent off to a dis- 

 tance to their friends. Before the court broke up, a debit 

 and credit account was made out for each chief whose 

 Bheels were concerned. Those who had to pay to other 

 states were called on to pay the money into court at once. 



