One of the oldest inhabitants was chosen as arbiter, and made to swear on the Scriptures that he would act honestly to the best of his knowledge; then taking an Icon in his hand, he walked along what he believed to be the old frontier.

Whether he made mistakes or not, his decision was accepted by both parties and regarded as final.

This custom existed in some stanitsas down to the year 1850, when the boundaries were clearly determined by Government officials.
* A custom of this kind, I am told, existed not very long ago in England and is still spoken of as "the beating of the bounds.".