112 SUMATRA. 
cing It in competition with the ftrongeft paiTion that feizcs the human 
foul. 
' r 
The compenfation Is fo regularly cftablifhed among the Samatrans, 
that any other fatlsfadrion is feldom demanded. In the firft heat of rc- 
fentment, retaliation is fometimes attempted, but the fpirit foon evapo- 
rates, and application is ufually made, upon the immediate Uifcuvet^' of 
the h&y to the chiefs of the country, for the exertion of their influence, 
to oblige the criminal to pay the bangoon. His de^ath U then not thought 
of, unlefs he is unable, and his family unwilling, to raife the cflablilhed 
fum. Inftancesj it is true, occur, in which the profecutor knowing the 
European law in fuch cafe, will, from motives of revenge, urge to the 
'Rcfident the propriety of executing the offender, rather than receive 
the ban goon ; but if the latter is ready to pay it, it is contrary to their 
laws to proceed further. The degree of fatisfad:ion that attends the 
payment of the bangoon, is generally confidered as abfolute to the parties 
concerned : they receive it as full compenfation, and pretend to no far* 
thcr claUii upun the murderer and his family. SHght provocations how- 
ever have been fometimcs known to renew the feud, and there are not 
wanting inftances of a fon's revenging his father's murder, and willingly 
refunding the bangoon. When, in an affray, there happen to be feve- 
ral pcrfons killed on both fides, the bufinefsof juftice is only to flatethc 
reciprocal loffes, in the form of an account current, and order the ba- 
lance to be difcharged, if the numbers be unequal. The following is a 
relation of the circumftances of one of thofe bloody feuds, which hap- 
pened whilft I was on the ifland ; but which become every year more 
rare, where our influence extends. 
Mcmut of a ^ddeen Ssehan was the head of a tribe in the diflri£t of Mama, of 
which Pangeratj, Rajah Calippah was the Calippah or official chief; 
though by the cuftoms of the country he had no right of fovereignty 
-over him. The Pangeran not allowing him an adequate fliare of fines, 
and other advantages annexed to his rank, was the foundation of a jea- 
loufy and illwill betwecp them, which an event that happened a few 
years 
