divisions, but with the exception of a few individuals in the slave
class, there is a possibility or an opportunity for each member of the
tribe to enter any class open to his or her sex. Even a slave woman may
become the wife of a _datu_, and her son may assume the leadership of
the tribe.

LAWS. PROPERTY AND INHERITANCE.

The laws of the people are those imposed by custom and religion, and are
equally binding on all classes. Public opinion is sufficient to prevent
most crimes; the fear of offending the spirits is a further deterrent;
while the final bar is the drastic punishment meted out by the _datu_.
Theft is punished by the levying of a fine if the culprit is able to
pay, or by a term of servitude if he has no property. If a husband finds
that his wife has been unfaithful, he should kill both her and her
admirer, but the spear with which he avenges his wrongs should be left
in the body of one of the victims, as a sign that the murder was
provoked by the fault. When this is done the husband cannot be held
accountable either to the _datu_ or to the dead person's relatives. If,
however, he withdraws the weapon, the brothers or other male relatives
of the deceased have a right and a duty to avenge the deaths. A man who
has killed his wife and her lover is allowed to count both on his score
towards becoming a _magani_--a further incentive for him to avenge his
wrongs. Cases are known where the husband accepted payment for his
wife's affections, but it was considered a sign of weakness, or
cowardice, and the man lost caste. Unprovoked murder of one from the
same or a friendly village is punished by death.

A man having illicit relations with a slave woman, not his own, is
subjected to a heavy fine or a term of servitude. Incest should be