MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 
205 
the natives who were travelling with me to Kur- 
reechane, to relate a few of their stories, but was 
informed that, were they to do so before sunset, 
the clouds would fall from the heavens upon their 
heads. 
They cleanse or purify themselves after jour- 
neys by shaving their heads, &c. lest they should 
have contracted from strangers some evil by 
witchcraft or sorcery. Munameets, as I have 
stated, had his head shaved, immediately on his 
return with me from Kurreechane. 
Should a Matchappee kill a cudoo, an animal 
about the size of a mule, with long horns, he 
must pay a fine ; but afterwards he is free to kill 
as many as he pleases. When a great party are 
hunting, and inclose game within the circle which 
they form, if a cudoo be among the game, they 
will not attempt to kill it, but give space for him 
to escape. 
When the new moon appears, all must cease 
from work, and keep what is called in England a 
holiday. In every country, where there are 
neither candles nor lamps, it is not extraordinary 
that the return of the moon is highly valued ; a 
weak fire, requiring to be constantly fed, is a 
poor substitute for moonlight. 
