room for the road between them, which at
that time was exceedingly wet and dirty. The duke's house is situate
in the middle of the town, and like the rest is built of clay. It
consists of several squares, round each of which is a verandah,
similar to the houses in Yarriba. The centre square is occupied by
the duke and his wives, the others being the abode of his servants
and attendants, which altogether amount to a considerable number.
Immediately opposite to the first square, which forms the entrance to
his residence, stands a small tree, profusely decorated with human
skulls and bones. This tree is considered by the people as fetish or
sacred, and is supposed to possess the virtue of preventing the evil
spirit from entering the duke's residence. Near the tree stands the
house, which is inhabited by their priests, a class of beings,
certainly in the most savage condition of nature that it is possible
to imagine. The fetish priests of Brass Town, chalked themselves from
head to foot, besides dressing after a fashion of their own, but
these fellows outdo them far, and make themselves the most hideous
and disgusting objects possible.

Whether it may be with the idea of personifying the evil spirit of
whom they are so afraid, Lander could not learn, but they go about
the town with a human skull fastened over their face, so that they
can see through the eye-holes; this is surmounted by a pair of
bullock's horns; their body is covered with net, made of stained
grass, and to complete the whole, and give them an appearance as
ridiculous behind as they are hideous before, a bullock's tail
protrudes through the dress, and hangs down to the ground, rendering
them altogether the most uncouth looking beings imaginable. Sometimes
a cocked hat is substituted for the horns, and the skull of a dog or
monkey used, which renders their appearance, if possible, still more
grotesque. Thus equipped, they are ready to perform the mysteries of
their profession, which Lander had not sufficient opportunity to
inquire into, but which are quite enough to enslave the minds of the
people. They seem to believe in a good and evil spirit; that the good
spirit dwells in the river, which accounts for their sacrifices being
made on it, and that the evil spirit dwells in a tree, which being
full of human skulls, keeps him away from them.

On the morning of the 26th, the duke's principal man came on board
the Portia to receive payment for some bullocks,