[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]

102 WITH NATIVES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC

owner holds the pig, the borrower dances around
him and then takes the animal away. All the spec-
tators serve as witnesses, and there is no need of a
written bill. In this way nearly all the men of lower
rank are in debt to the high-castes, and dependent
on their goodwill, and these can obtain anything
they like, simply by pressing their debtors to pay for
their pigs.

As a rule, the highest castes of a district work
together; they are the high priests, who arrange
everything connected with the “Suque,” set the
dates for the feasts, and decide whether a man shall
be permitted to raise his caste. They are practically
omnipotent, until one of them rises by still larger
sacrifices to a still higher caste, and becomes sole
master. If there are no more degrees to reach, the
whole scale is run through again an octave higher,
so to speak. The jaws of the killed pigs are hung
up in the gamal in bundles or rows, as a sign of the
wealth and pOWer of the proprietor. These chiefs
are in connection with the mightiest Spirits, have
supernatural power and are as much hated as they
are feared.

There is another independent witchcraft beside
the “Suque,” for weather-making, charms and
poisoning, which is known to private men. They
take expensive “lessons” from old sorcerers, and
transmit their art to the young men they consider
clever enough, for good wages. These are the real
mischief-makers, for they will lend their murderous
assistance to anyone for adequate payment.