, 1873-08-09

ana on CnlS L drew from Joe an exp ana
ton of the idolatry, most valuable and GU
rious, [ think, to those who feel an inter
est in the negro race. [ would fain put
into some order The facts he confusediy re-
yealed.
obj is not the name of a deity, as is the
common belief. Comparative philologists
connect the word with ophjS, snake, and
deduce from this fact the most singular ar
guments. | cannot say how far the deriva-
ton may be correct but if, as Joe decIar-
ed to me, The Obi is not a deity, nor even
an emanati0n, it is evident that much Of
the theory founded on this basis is incor-
rect Obi, | learned, is but the title of a
mana man gifted with strange and ma9i-
cal powers, it is true, but simply o man.
One is born Obi no person can acquire
the attributes or the title. The child SO
fayoured is recognised almost at birth by
his supernatural potency over mems minds.
By whom he is swayed, or for what pur-
pose the power is given him, no one InVes-
t~igates, or d ares 10 inquire. The OBJ Is
the Obi a terrible fact, q curse, seldom or
never a blessing to his neighbours. 1t Is
a most important truth to be known, that
Obi, ali-powerful for evil, seems import
ent for good-and by his own confession,
he can Kill, but he cannot generate life
he can curse, but not bless The Obi IS a
solitary being, a lover OF cayernS and deed
forests, a feeder on strange meats, Il hater
of the light From his secIusion he casts
the darts Of death, and never do they fail
to strike. He breads his own horrible ia
Guilty, and rolls upon floor in speechIess
terror when summoned to do the work
that men crave of him. But, whether I'M
conscious agent or irresponsible, or no., Obi
never fails. Pestilence is a weapon in his
hand dreams and apparitlons are obedlent
to his will all the baIetul secrets OF ma
ture reveal themselves to his intuition
the deadly uses of herb and tree, and OF
animate and inanimate life.
I have but room for a very few of Joe's
candid revelations. ! choose those which
may possibly explain in some degree the
manner of Obi's working.
How did you consult this fearful being,
since he is as far away as the Blue Noun
tains2' | asked.
obj gave me a charm, which l wrap
round my head at night, when l wished TO
see him. He never fails to appear in my
dreams, and to tell me all I want to
know
Has he given you any other charms ?
'One-a hunting charm, ] never miss
when | have it on me, and never hit when
withoutit.
Is it tue that Obi delights in poisonings
and frenzies2'
4 don't know. They say that if a man
ask him for a poison or a phi'tre, he can
not refuse. l know nothing of that
Most of the Obs are women, are they
notY
No. exclaimed the negro with contempt.
obj has more work than he can do, and
therefore gives power, for a short time, to
the fetch women. But when the time is
past, they are no stronger than other peO-
pie, only they know the poisons and medi-
cines. Then they go about doing mischief,
until they're caught and hanged by the
magistrates, or thrown into a creek at
night by the negroes. Obi's never caught,
nor dare any one touch him.
Are there many Obis?'
Only two in all jamaica, aud one of 'em's
only a poor niger, they say. But there's
a plenty of your fetch women
SO this savage discoursed to me sitting
on a cotton-tree in the forest by the San
Juan River. And the conclusion that res