156 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
. confirmed their vow, they draw their kreese, and never again 
sheath it till they have drenched it in blood. So resolute 
is this ferocious determination, that if their adversary is 
placed beyond the reach of their vengeance, sooner than 
. infringe it, they will plunge the dagger into the body of a 
pig, a dog, a chicken, or any live animal they chance to 
meet. The scabbard is made of wood, frequently ornamented 
with gold or silver wire : and the whole appearance of the 
.weapon, as well as the mode of wearing it on the right 
.side, greatly resembles that found in the ancient dress of the 
. Celtic nations. This terrible instrument is rendered still more 
so by its being always poisoned ; generally by the j uice of 
• some poisonous herbs, and among those who can any wise 
i procure it, with poison from the Upa tree. 
In the use of their fatal weapon they are particularly 
dextrous, arid like other barbarians make no scruple to 
.employ treachery or surprise in destroying their enemies. 
They generally watch their opportunity, and stab their vic- 
. tim in the back or shoulder before he is aware. These dag- 
gers, the instruments of their ferocious cruelty, are looked 
upon by them with a degree of veneration. They descend, 
-as a most sacred relic, from father to son, and from genera- 
tion to generation: no money is accounted sufficient to pur- 
chase them, and no violence can compel their owners to 
-give them up. When a Malay is pressed in battle, he will 
sooner be slain, or kill himself, than surrender his kreese to 
.the enemy. 
