Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/102

 88 LAWS. evidence." This singular law is framed to pro- vide against the feuds and animosities prevail- ing between the inhabitants of different villages, and affords a striking picture of the violence and anarchy of the state of society among these peo- ple. Witnesses are not, as among us, examined on oath ; for oaths are not administered but with much solemnity. Among the different tribes, there are various forms of administering an oath. The military tribes of Celebes swear by their drawn krises, with the Koran held over their heads, as already described in the account of their man- ners, in the first volume. The people of Sumatra swear by their heir-looms. The Javanese swear by the Koran in the mosque with great solemni- ty, the ceremony occupying frequently more than an hour, and consisting chiefly in the recitation by the priest of pertinent and impressive passages from the sacred volume. The form of words used by the people of Sumatra is to the following effect : I be freed and clear from my oath ; if what I assert is wittingly false, may my oath be the cause of my destruction." * The oath pronounced by the Ja- vanese is very remarkable. " If,*' says the Java- nese peasant, with perfect simplicity, " I speak " History of Sumatra.
 * If what I now declare is truly and really so, may