Finally, if a prisoner persist and is recaptured, he is solemnly put to death, not, as with us, by way of severity, but as the last and greatest honor.

Here extremes meet; and death, whether for honor or dishonor, is all the same--death--and is reserved for desperate cases.

But among the Kosekin this lofty destiny is somewhat embittered by the agonizing thought on the part of the prisoner, who thus gains it, that his wretched family must be doomed, not, as with us, to poverty and want, but, on the contrary, to boundless wealth and splendor.
Among so strange a people it seemed singular to me what offences could possibly be committed which could be regarded and punished as crimes.
These, however, I soon found out.

Instead of robbers, the Kosekin punished the secret bestowers of their wealth on others.

This is regarded as a very grave offence.