h
is fortunate enough to seize the enemy by a leg, an arm, or even by the
hair of his head, which the poor deluded people believe, without seeing
what he grasps. Now the whole company rush towards the water, and the
pater deposits the supposed devil on board the raft, on which the
palongs row off with the greatest possible expedition, dragging the
captive out to sea, to a considerable distance, when, having turned him
and his vehicle adrift, they row back with the utmost speed to shore.
For two days the enemy may survive this rough usage, and again land in
safety, if driven on shore by the tide or wind, but on the third day he
must die. Should he land at another village, he then does the mischief
there, which he was prevented doing at the former place.

The worst consequence of such an unfortunate conclusion of the business
is, that the greatest enmity immediately takes place between the two
villages, and nothing can atone for the aggression, but a formal
combat. The village invaded sends a challenge to the former, and a day
is fixed for the battle. The captains of all the neighbouring villages
having met to a consultation, the combatants are chosen, and as there
are others who wish to take advantage of so just a mode of settling
their disputes, they are summoned to appear. One has stolen something,
another run off with his neighbour's wife, and the like. All these
people now meet, both the injured and the guilty, and each being
provided with a sufficient supply of long sticks, of the Mango tree,
they proceed to the place of rendezvous. There the captains examine the
sticks, and those that are too thick are thrown away. This being done,
two of the combatants step out, and lay about each other's back and
head, till one of the party is obliged to give up. A second couple
follow, and after them others, till in a proper space of time, the
whole company has got a good drubbing. The most innocent among them are
generally the worst handled; however, the business is now decided, and
all are convinced, that whoever was first obliged to give up, was the
offender. Peace is thus restored, both parties being perfectly
satisfied with so wise and just a decision, nor could anything we said,
convince them of the folly and wickedness of such superstitious and
injurious practices.

LETTER VII.

You wish to know what were the chief external causes of the failure of
our exertions; and ask, whether our residence on the island had