Their property was seized, and
one half was given to the relatives of the murdered man, and the other
half to him who executed the sentence upon such sorcerers and witches.
15. Insulting words caused great anger among these natives, and it
was considered a very grave offense, especially among the chiefs. They
fined the culprits in heavy sums therefor, inflicting this penalty in
order not to cause murders, and in the following manner. The insulted
person and he who insulted him named a chief, who must be greater
than those in the whole province, to hear this suit, who accepted
and decided it. If either of the two parties refused to conform to
the agreement which the judge prescribed, there was a custom among
them that each one lavished expense, on his own account, on feasts
and assemblies, and he who spent the greater sum they considered the
more powerful and honorable. From these debaucheries and gatherings
sometimes resulted wars between them. If either one of the two was
the most considerable chief of the province, three or four, chosen by
the rest, judged the case.
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