480 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
and ears, for the accused. The dog in whose stomach 
thou art is thus like him. If thou findest that the accused 
is not guilty, but is spitefully and maliciously accused, let 
this dog live quickly; let this dog, which is a substitute 
for the accused, which has feet and hands like him, live 
quickly; yea, let this dog, which is his substitute, live 
quickly; and return back through the same door through 
which thou hast entered into it, O Raimanamango. But if 
thou findest that the accused is truly guilty, kill this dog, 
whose eyes, life, feet, hands, &c. are his substitute, without 
delay kill it quickly—destroy it instantly—burst its heart— 
tear it and kill it immediately, O Raimanamango.” 
The property of those who are convicted by the test of 
being bewitched, is wholly confiscated. Part falls to the 
sovereign, part to the judges, part to the accusers and some 
others. As the accusers have an interest in the conviction, 
there is always a temptation with the unprincipled to form 
an accusation against a party, how r ever innocent. At the 
time of a “general clearing,” i.e ., when a whole town or 
district is required to submit to the test, a fine of three 
dollars is paid to the person who is proved innocent after 
drinking the ordeal. Having been falsely accused, and put 
to so severe a scrutiny, he is paid this fine as some kind of 
indemnification and acknowledgment. In this, however, 
he but resembles many other suitors at law, for his costs 
are greater than the amount given him by his verdict. 
Payment of fees to the cursers, to the mpisikidy, to the 
voanjo, beef on his successful exit, &c., amount to three 
times the fine paid him. 
If, however, a free person be accused at any other than 
a time of “ general clearing,” and be proved innocent by 
the test, he receives a fine of twenty-nine and a half dollars 
from the accusing party. Here, as his expenses are not 
