38 WITCH DOCTORS. 



wretch, a report is made to the Chief, who directs 

 torture to be inflicted on him, for the purpose of 

 eliciting confession. The usual method of torture is by 

 the application of heated stones to the tenderest parts 

 of the outstretched body, the hands and feet being 

 first made fast to four stakes at equal distances ; while 

 myriads of black ants are scattered over the agonized 

 victim, whose skin is exposed to the painful gnawing 

 of these swarming insects. It can be no matter of 

 surprise that innocent persons, subjected to these 

 terrible punishments, should be induced to confess 

 the agency of which they have been accused, and in-* 

 stances are on record of many individuals, perfectly 

 guiltless, who have admitted the crime previously to 

 undergoing the fiery ordeal, through a natural dread 

 of its horrors. Neither can it be matter of doubt 

 that charges of this nature are frequently coun- 

 tenanced by the chiefs to obtain the cattle of their 

 wealthier subjects, since confiscation of property is a 

 certain consequence of the accusation. Nothing 

 therefore can be more deplorable, since this species 

 of tyranny becomes a political engine in the hands 

 of each petty chieftain, and the people are constantly 

 kept in the most humiliating dread of the " Witch 

 Doctor," who panders to the avarice of a despot, and 

 enriches himself by the blood of his tribe. 



A striking instance of this superstitious and cruel 

 practice was related to me at a subsequent period by 

 Mr. Shaw, as having fallen under his notice, during 



