PUNISHMENT FOR FIGHTING. 157 
has a right to reparation ; if it passes downwards^ he is deemed 
not absolutely innocent ; and if it should not pass at all at 
the time, he is judged to be guilty. 
I have been assured that few of these wretched creatures 
survive this ordeal ; they are compelled to drink so large a 
dose of the poison, that they die almost immediately. If 
however, the family of the accused consent to pay an indem- 
nity, the unhappy patient is excused from drinking any more 
liquor ; he is then put into a bath of tepid water, and by the 
application of both feet to the abdomen they make him cast 
up the poison which he has swallowed. 
This cruel ordeal is employed for all sorts of crimes. 
The consequence is, that though it may sometimes lead to 
the confession of crimes, it also induces the innocent to 
acknowledge themselves guilty, rather than submit to it. 
It is not lawful either to quarrel or fight near the places 
which are inhabited by the mystical magistrate. When war 
is to be carried on in the neighbourhood, notice is given to 
the Simo and his retinue to retire. If two adversaries were 
to fight while he was near, they would be forced immediately 
to take him a present as a reparation for having disturbed 
him ; if they were to omit this, they v/ould fancy that some 
great calamity was continually impending over them. 
When they carry their gift to the Simo, they are obliged 
to turn their backs to him, and put their hands over their 
eyes ; he receives the offering, pronounces a long prayer, and 
picks up a little earth, which he throws at them in token of 
absolution. After this ridiculous ceremony, the disturbers 
of the Simo's peace returned perfectly satisfied. During 
the few days that 1 was at Kakondy, I heard the Simo and 
his attendants howling horribly while dancing. 
Polygamy is practised amongst the Landamas and Na- 
lous, who may be said to inhabit the same country ; the 
husbands have not only many lawful wives, but as many 
concubines as they can afford to keep. 1 have been told that 
