PUNISHMENT OF CRIMES. 
235 
into the true state of the constitution of the country, 
which would have been very much at variance with the 
practice of negroes, who are not generally very commu- 
nicative on such matters. 
At Aboh there are ten headmen, or elders, of various 
grades, at the other towns and principal villages there is 
but one, who is responsible to the Ezzeh and the 
Council for the proper regulation of his district. Each 
town has also a judge, who decides all matters of dis- 
pute, pronounces on the nature and amount of punish- 
ment for crimes and misdemeanours, subject, how^ever, 
to the confirmation of the chief. In extreme cases, 
the affair is referred to the Council at Aboh. 
Among the greatest crimes is adultery with the 
King’s wives, which is punished with death to both 
parties. In one case that was mentioned, the unfor- 
tunate witnesses w'ere included in the sentence. Among 
the headmen and other influential people, a fine of one 
or more slaves is exacted for this offence. When 
murder is committed, the lex talionis is put in force 
with the same means that were used by the mur- 
derer. Stealing an ox or a goat is punished with 
death by hanging. Minor thefts, by flogging or incar- 
ceration. 
Some of the most important personages are the 
priests, or Ju-ju men. We could not ascertain how they 
are elected, or what are the qualifications for the priest- 
hood. But where the whole religion is but a tissue of 
palpable imposture, the principal requisites must be great 
cunning and boldness. In fiict, the Ju-ju men are 
