POWELL] A STUDY OF TRIBAL SOCIETY. 67 
to come to a conclusion without further presentation of the matter on 
the part of the person aggrieved. Having decided the matter among 
theinselves, they appear before the chief of the council of the aggrieved 
party to offer compensation. 
If the gens of the offender fail to settle the matter with the gens of 
the aggrieved party, it is the duty of his nearest relative to avenge the 
wrong. Hither party may appeal to the council of the tribe. The ap- 
peal must be made in due form, by the presentation of a tablet of accu- 
sation. 
Inquiry into the effect of a failure to observe prescribed formalities 
developed an interesting fact. In procedure against crime, failure in 
formality is not considered a violation of the rights of the accused, but 
proof of his innocence. It is considered supernatural evidence that the 
charges are false. In trials for all offenses forms of procedure are, there- 
fore, likely to be earnestly questioned. 
TREASON. 
Treason consists in revealing the secrets of the medicine preparations 
or giving other information or assistance to enemies of the tribe, and is 
punished by death. The trial is before the council of the tribe. 
WITCHCRAFT. 
Witcheraft is punished by death, stabbing, tomahawking, or burning. 
Charges of witchcraft are investigated by the grand council of the tribe. 
When the accused is adjudged guilty, he may appeal to supernatural 
judgment. The test is by fire. A circular fire is built on the ground, 
through which the accused must run from east and west and from north 
to south. If no injury is received he is adjudged innocent; if he falls 
into the fire he is adjudged guilty. Should a person accused or having 
the general reputation of practicing witchcraft become deaf, blind, or 
have sore eyes, earache, headache, or other diseases considered loath- 
some, he is supposed to have failed in practicing his arts upon others, 
and to have fallen a victim to them himself. Such cases are most likely 
to be punished. 
OUTLAWRY. 
The institution of outlawry exists among the Wyandots in a peculiar 
form. An outlaw is one who by his crimes has placed himself without 
the protection of his clan. A man can be declared an outlaw by his own 
clan, who thus publish to the tribe that they will not defend him in case 
he is injured by another. But usually outlawry is declared only after 
trial before the tribal council. 
The method of procedure is analogous to thatin case of murder. When 
the person has been adjudged guilty and sentence of outlawry declared, 
it is the duty of the chief of the Wolf clan to make known the decision 
of the council. This he does by appearing before each clan in the order 
