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168 _ MALEKULA
is not sufficiently respected or feared to deter someone of a
more resolute type from taking her. He knows, too, that if such
a man were to steal his wife, and then publish it abroad, he would
not be strong enough either to shoot him or to demand and
enforce the payment of compensation. A prey then, on the
one hand to his exclusive and passionate desire for his wives,
and on the other to the fear of their being stolen, and to the still
more abject fear of being made a laughing-stock, an object of
derision, it her adultery be published abroad and he cannot
take strong action, he goes about everywhere with his women
as far as possible, never letting them out of his sight. He may be
laughed at a little for this, but such mild jesting is better than
the shame of being known as the powerless husband of a wife
with whom anyone may openly and with impunity commit
adultery.
Another type oi husband may be described as the normal one.
The ordinary man will allow his wife to go about alone. Should
he suspect her of adultery he will tell her to go and work in his
garden, while he will depart to the reef, saying that he is going
to ï¬Åsh. When he reaches the reef, however, he follows a circuitous
route to the garden, and there lies in hiding at a little distance.
If he sees the adultery take place, or at least it he sees his wife
and another man go off together into the bush, he will say nothing
but return quietly home. Should the same thing happen a
seoond time, he will then speak of the matter to some intimate
friend. After this he will go and watch a third time. On this
occasion he will take his musket with him and if, for the third
time, the adulterer comes to take the woman, the injured husband
will shoot him. In this way a man makes quite sure of his
evidence before taking the irrevocable step,
Men of the third type of husband are those called mimur vaal.
They are adventurous and warlike ; enjoy considerable prestige,
and _a respect, amounting to fear, in their district. If, as is usual,
such a man is a person of high rank he will probably have many
wives, and trusting in the awe with which other men regard him,
he allows his women considerable freedom. Should, however,
the least rumour come to his ears that any man has committed
adultery with one of them, or should a man have merely indicated
his wish to do so by means of a secret sign, he would at once be
roused to action. _
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