Outbkeab: of Hostilfhes. 
255 
they are tlie activities of the wicked ones as soou us they do. Ii have 
already detailed separately the inllueuce and power Avhich the piai 
exercises over evil spirits. Granted that logical connection is wanted 
between all these religioiis coiivictions, granted the absence of all those 
ceremonial and ontward forms tlirough Avhich ßelief expresses itself, I 
must nevertheless maintain that (lie Indians in tluMr simple faith 
aj>proach Christianity far more closely than all those Asiatic people with 
Iheir affected and fantastically adorned systems of religion, and that, if 
at the present moment so little of it has taken root amongst them, it is 
their confessors and missioiiers wlio are most to blame. 
588. As with other tribes, so with the Macusis, every settlement is 
presided over by a chief whose power of authority is already known to 
my readers. He iixes the dates for the sports, dances, etc.,, gives the 
orders for food and drink to be set before the guests and calls the 
inhabitants of the settlement together in council as soon as the general 
welfare and common interest demand it. He never gives his orders in 
an imperious manner, but always submits them as it were to the free 
resolution of his subordinates; he asks them whether they ought not 
perhaps to do this or that, etc. But in l)attle he is absolute ruler. 
Every Indian, on returning liome from a liunting or fishing trip sends 
him a portion of the catch as a present. 
589. In times of peace the chi i has but little to decide. The 
property of every individual — be it a house, a few household effects, or 
the provision-field, — is sacred: any violation of this, except in war, is 
well-nigh impossible, and contentions over Mine and Thine are conse- 
quently extremely rare. Should they however arise, tlie Palaver (Council 
of Men) summoned by the chief, decides the matter, and the contending 
parties submit to its decision. Every insult to one's honour, wife, or 
child, is generally washed out by bloodj revenge, without being brought 
before the People's Assembly for review. 
590. The outbreak of liostindes is not preceded by any declaration 
of war: except that as soon as war is determined upon by the Palaver, 
the side taking the offensive tries to get as close as possible to the enemy 
at night, with a view to maldng a surprise attack by daybreak. But 
the watchful dogs often betray such a manoeuvre ^v^i]\ the result that the 
besiegers are received well-armed and prepared by those attacked. 
Should the latter feel themselves too weak, they take to flight Avithont 
even making show of a fight. T»ut leaving liehind their sick upon whom the 
d isappointed enemy cool their revenge : they also destroy the village. 
Among the coastal tribes where the river beds exposed to ebb and flow 
constitute the highways, the attack will depend upon the tide. If the 
attacking party goes up-stream, this is done only when the water washes, 
when they can trust their corials to the current so tliat the noise of 
the paddling can hardly l)etray them. So also, when tlie attacking force 
have to travel down-stream the expedition only takes place at the ebb. 
If during their course ui» or down, they should be met by ebb or flow, 
or day should break, before reaching their goal, the corials are quicklj 
