________________
WHY MEN ARE HANGED
the family with one son accompanied him, and hacked the good samaritan in a wood on the way. The argument was that the behaviour of the guest had frightened the criminal conspirators who realised that, to head off sure exposure of their murderous plan, they must finish the job somehow ; and they did with a dao what could not be donc neatly with poison.
The defence was that the distressed debtors had hoped to mollify the money-lender with hospitality, and then persuade him not to drive them off the land as he had threatened to do if thcy failed to pay off in full. But with all the Indian's spiritual view of life, the bania had behaved like the materialist Arnerican, and insisted upon doing business first. He was alleged to have made scornful remarks about the proferred hospitality--that instead of wasting money in feasts, honest and god-fearing people should meet their legal obligations; that good people would rather starve than deny their legitimate dues. The hosts had resented the attitude of the guest, and there had resulted an altercation. Upon that, the bania had left in a rage, saying that the invitation was a plan to poison him, and that he was going to report it to the police.
Terrified by the ominous threat, the father followed by one son, had gone with the indignant man with the object of pacifying him, so that he would not carry out his threat. Instead of being
219
