16 
MISSIONARY LIFE 
It was my privilege several times to be present 
when court was in session ; and I was quite as much 
interested in the doings of the head-men who were 
officially convened to transact business, as I ever 
was in a court-room in America. 
At one time I saw them try an adulterer. It 
was done in this manner: The man highest in 
authority occupied the chair. But this chair must 
be described : A three-'pronged limb of a tree^ with 
the prongs cut ofi’, — one a little shorter than the 
other two, making the top incline backward, — the 
prongs answering for legs — being about three feet 
high, with a stick flattened on top, tied to the 
longer legs with bark, about one foot from the 
ground, this making the seat of the chair. On 
this rude chair sat the old man during the prog- 
ress of the trial. All^ present, the chairman or 
judge excepted, participated in pleading the cause, 
some for and others against the accused. They 
spoke in order, one at a time, all showing due re- 
spect to the one who had the floor. The counsel, 
or attorneys, did not direct their remarks to the 
chairman particularly, but seemed to show him 
more deference than the others. 
