KAFFIR WITCHCRAFT. 
277 
the assembly again, and this time, he makes it 
vibrate, not only when opposite the chief, but 
also when in front of the victim whom he is 
about to single out. When this is perceived, he 
stands several minutes confronting this man, 
and gazing intently at him, whilst the silence of 
death ensues. This process he repeats three 
times, and then he leaves the "kraal" and pro- 
ceeds to the chief's hut. Here he walks about, 
always making the rod leap from his hand, 
whenever he comes over the place where he 
buried the article which he had stolen from 
his victim's hut. He then marks this spot 
by driving an "assegai" into it, and proceeds 
to the suspected man's hut. Here also he 
goes through the same mummeries, and pre- 
tends to discover the corresponding spot, in 
this hut, to that in the other, and marks it in 
a similar manner. 
The next part of the proceeding is to com- 
mence excavations at these spots, which is done 
by numbers of the surrounding Kaffirs ; when, 
as a necessary consequence, the articles deposited 
there are brought to light. This is deemed con- 
clusive evidence, and on it the supposed culprit 
is seized, tried, condemned to death, and all 
his cattle are forfeited to the chief. From these 
the " witch-doctor's" promised fee is paid, and 
too great honour cannot be heaped upon him, 
