CmilSTIAN MISSIONS, 
109 
ensue. On one occasion, after a sawing-feast, returning 
to tlieir homes, a man and his nephew got to high words, 
Avhen the young man, infuriated witli passion and strong 
drink, snatched up a knife and killed his uncle. I saw 
the young man in gaol. He was sentenced to three 
years’ penal servitude in the IMora forests, the crime 
being pronounced manslaughter. This, however, is rhe 
only instance that I have heaivl of in which death 
resulted from sawing-feasts. The missionary did not 
fail to point his remarks upon the evils of savung-feasts 
immediately after this sad occurrence. 
“ Cutting-feasts ” is another custom they have, which 
is ecpially ohjectionahle and ecpially usehd with saAving- 
feasts. Useful these feasts are to enable a poor man to 
get done by many hands in one day Avhat he sin^y 
could not do in very many days, or not do at all. 
Objectionable, because on these occasions they are in 
the habit of indulging in the immoderate use of strong 
drinks. AVhen corn is to’ be planted, and the season for 
planting is passing away, a man will call together his 
friends and his neighbours to a cutting-feast. Each man 
Avill come with one or two sharp cutlasses, and from 
early morn to dewy eve will slash away in good earnest 
at the high grass and bush Avhich encumber the ground. 
The host is bound, in return for labour thus given, to 
provide plenty to eat, and, alas ! plenty to drink, 
♦Should you try to get up a sawing-feast without the 
drink, you would almost be sure to fail. There are 
some, however, who Avoidd come to a feast at wdiich no 
strong drink Avas given ; but this number, I am sorry to 
say, is small. 
The people at the Third Company and the Fifth Com- 
pany, as indeed throughout the villages, are . great 
hunters ; and, as I have before remarked, this Avork is 
hard and not over-delicate. Hunting is not conducive 
to the advance of the people in civilization and rehgion. 
When a number of men are in the habit of leaAdim- their 
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villages, and roaming for many miles and for many days 
