Ask him about it and he will tell you, with a laugh, that his forefathers in other times did so, and he does the same.

It is, in fact, a peace offering to the local divinity of the place.

Is he, then, an idolater?
Not at all; not necessarily, at least.

He is under the compulsion of an old custom; and he will even tell you that it is all nonsense.

The same force leads him to treat with respect and veneration a chief or chiefess even if abjectly poor, though before the law the highest chief is no better than the common people.
They are hearty and even gross feeders; and probably the only christianized people who live almost entirely on cold victuals.