who both carefully observed his actions and neighing.  Nor in any sort of augury is more faith and assurance reposed, not by the populace only, but even by the nobles, even by the Priests.  These account themselves the ministers of the Gods, and the horses privy to his will.  They have likewise another method of divination, whence to learn the issue of great and mighty wars.  From the nation with whom they are at war they contrive, it avails not how, to gain a captive:  him they engage in combat with one selected from amongst themselves, each armed after the manner of his country, and according as the victory falls to this or to the other, gather a presage of the whole.

Affairs of smaller moment the chiefs determine:  about matters of higher consequence the whole nation deliberates; yet in such sort, that whatever depends upon the pleasure and decision of the people, is examined and discussed by the chiefs.  Where no accident or emergency intervenes, they assemble upon stated days, either, when the moon changes, or is full:  since they believe such seasons to be the most fortunate for beginning all transactions.  Neither in reckoning of time do they count, like us, the number of days but that of nights.  In this style their ordinances are framed, in this style their diets appointed; and with them the night seems to lead and govern the day.  From their extensive liberty this evil and default flows, that they meet not at once, nor as men commanded and afraid to disobey; so that often the second day, nay often the third, is consumed through the slowness of the members in assembling.  They sit down as they list, promiscuously, like a crowd, and all armed.  It is by the Priests that silence is enjoined, and with the power of correction the Priests are then invested.  Then the King or Chief is heard, as are others, each according to his precedence in age, or in nobility, or in warlike renown, or in eloquence; and the influence of every speaker proceeds rather from his ability to persuade than from any authority to command.  If the proposition displease, they reject it by an inarticulate murmur:  if it be pleasing, they brandish their javelins.  The most honourable manner of signifying their assent, is to express their applause by the sound of their arms.

In the assembly it is allowed to present accusations, and to prosecute capital offences.  Punishments vary according to the quality of the crime.  Traitors and deserters they hang upon trees.  Cowards, and sluggards, and unnatural prostitutes they smother in mud and bogs under an heap of hurdles.  Such diversity in their executions has this view, that in punishing of glaring iniquities, it behooves likewise to display them to sight; but effeminacy and pollution must be buried and concealed.  In lighter transgressions too the penalty is measured by the fault, and the delinquents upon conviction are condemned to pay a certain number of horses or cattle.  Part of this mulct accrues to the King or to the community, part to him whose wrongs are vindicated, or to his next kindred.  In the same assemblies are also chosen their chiefs or rulers, such as administer justice in their villages and boroughs.  To each of these are assigned an hundred persons chosen from amongst the populace, to accompany and assist him, men who help him at once with their authority and their counsel.