Show AFRICAN JUSTICE thor ther trial by ordel ordeal Is I 1 the pi eiling method of all central african customs trial by ordeal which is universal is that w which aich is most revolting to a european brought for the first time into contact with savage life when according to popular science monthly a man is ia accused of any crime as theft arson murder witchcraft raft or the like evidence is brought against him in the way common throughout the whole continent this however is never final the accusers witnesses swear to anything required of them without the ahe slightest compunction of conscience and as the prosecutor must produce his evidence first the defendants witnesses are ready to swear and do db swear the opposite of all that has been said eaid trial is invariably in open court and nothing said by the witnesses for the prosecution can be concealed from those that are to follow there are no affidavits thus making contradiction at once simple and safe if rebutting evidence were allowed the most paltry trial would be interminable for witness to be called a liar is in such a case a compliment it proves that his evidence told and that he by inference is a very clever fellow if 11 the same man were accused I 1 of bewitching he would regard it as a foul libel and demand tha poison bowl without an hours delay to remedy the defects of trial in court that by ordeal is adopted in all kinds of causes both civil and criminal As aa the case cae proceeds before the council the acau accused at intervals demands the awal and this dem demand nd his friends it if they believe him innocent persistently press the accuser resists the demand as unnecessary knowing that should th the e culprit even evan it if caught red handed recover he will ft placed in a difficult position ile he will in that case have no claim to compensation for or an injury and may in turn bo be successfully sued for willfully seeking to destroy another mans reputation the belief in the absolute certainty of trial by awai avat is universal and the be beginning inning and end ol of reasoning is thus if he is guilty he be ili dies if he be does not die should the stolen proper property tybe be found on an his hia person he be la is not guilty another put it there p or he waa vas bewItch ali |