TRIAL BY OUDEAL. 
107 
A movement forwards is a proof of poison or magic, and 
then tliey attempt to discover the guilty individual. They men- 
tion to the dect^ased the names of several persons, not even except- 
ing those of his own family ll the body be silent, it is supposed 
to be irritated at the suspicion against its relatives, and they beg it 
to tell them who is the guilty person. To ascertain this fact, 
they invite it to turn the bier towards the person who carries the 
branch. If the body should then push the bier forwards, and 
strike the bough with it, the guilty person is thus named, and 
the spectators are convinced, llirce motions forwards indicate 
magic, and two poison. The criminal is then suddenly seized ; 
and if the accusation be for magic, he is sold without formality. 
J t often happens, when the deceased is a person of distinction, 
and the one whom he accuses is poor, they sell his whole fauîily 
with him ; but if he be accused of poisoning, they reserve him 
for a subsequent trial, from which, however, he rarely escapes. 
i^fter dipositinji the dead man in his grave, in which, ac- 
cording to their custom, they throw his best clothes, and what- 
ever else they conceive he may want, they return to the accused 
who is confined, but in such a manner that he might escape if 
he please; and he is informed, tSiat the laws which he has trans- 
gressed, require the privation of his liberty. As soon as night 
approaches, the criminal makes his escape to the nearest town, 
where he invokes the protection of the chief, who. is supposed 
to be impartial. He protests his innocence of the crime, and 
demands the ordeal of red water. This request is generally 
complied with, and the friends of the deceased are invited to 
assist at the ceremony. 
On the appointed day they place the criminal on a high seat, 
strip off all his clothes, and leave him nothing but an apron of 
plantain leaves round his waist. He then, in presence of the 
whole town, who assemble on these occasions, eats rue or cola, 
and drinks poisoned water. If he die, which almost always 
happ( ns, be is declared guilty ; but if he should live twenty-four 
hours after the ceremony, he is adjudged innocent. During this 
time he dares not relieve nature by any secretions ; and if he 
have not strength to retain them, his impotence is considered 
as strong a proof of his crime, as if he had fallen dead on lirst 
taking the iatal drink. Nay, in order to prevent all surprise, 
they force him to join in the songs and dances, with which during 
the night they celebrate his innocence. 
A person once acquitted by this judgment of God acquires a 
" general confidtnce, and has a right to bring an action against the 
parents and friends of the deceased for defamation and false poi- 
soning. The latter in such cases are always condeqiued^ and 
pay a fine e^ual to the injury. 
o 
