off each other's heads."

"Ah, Eva, that indeed would be a noble occupation," I answered,
enthusiastically. "And worthy of all honour would be the man who would
devote himself to so great and glorious a cause."

CHAPTER THIRTY.

When we arrived at the village, I observed that the warriors did not
bring in the heads with them, but deposited them at some little distance
outside the stockade. The truth was, I found, that the entrance of such
trophies was considered far too important to take place without the
observance of due ceremony. A temporary shed had been erected for them,
under which they were hung up and carefully watched by a party of young
men, habited in their finest costume.

The next morning there was a loud beating of gongs in the kampong, or
village, and shouting and shrieking from the whole population, as the
warriors were seen approaching, each carrying his bloody trophy before
him, and dancing and singing at the same time. As they entered the
kampong, they were met by the women, who crowded round the heads, and
put ciri and betel-nut in the gaping mouths. In this way they were
carried round from house to house, and then hung up in a large open shed
to dry for several days. Here the heads were watched by young boys of
from six to ten years old, who, for the whole time the process of drying
occupied--from seven to ten days--were never allowed to step out of the
hall, or neglect their sacred trust. This was the commencement of their
initiation in the endurance of hardships, that they also might become
warriors. Night after night the men used to meet in front of the hall,
dancing and singing, and beating their gongs. They used to address
their heads, taunting them, telling them that they were their slaves,
and that they must send the rest of their tribe to be treated in the
same manner. These very men, however, savage as they were, treated us
with great kindness, and seemed anxious to do all they could to please
us. Blount spent the greater part of every day with us, and gave me
much information about the country. I told him that I was very anxious
to obtain tidings of my schooner, and the friends on board her, and
equally so to get away.

"So, my dear fellow, am I," he answered, making a long face; "but the
truth is, my friends here are so fond of us they will not let us go. I
have tried on several occasions to escape; but they always gave me a
strong hint to stop."

"How was that?"