the garment, the ends, or corners of which hung down in points
to form a fringe.
At his ankles were two huge bands, made of cloth, and plentifully
decorated with spangles of shells, and rows of nuts, strung on cords,
like beads. Around his neck and trailing down the back was a collar of
interwoven leaves, very artistically arranged, if judged from the
viewpoint of savage decorations.
The head dress was unique, being made up of a band of coarsely-woven
cloth, literally covered with large fish scales, and a pyramidal
structure was fastened to this band, and extended up beyond the crown
for a foot, or more. At its apex was a mass of streamers, which
fluttered around as the breeze floated by.
The weapon was fully five feet long, the head of the club, for such it
was, terminated in a gnarled knot, bristling with small points. This
the boys recognized to be somewhat similar to the wicked thing that was
carried by the Korino when he sought to slay Tarra.
The Chief was also differently attired. He was literally covered with
clothing, the different parts being dyed with various colors without any
regard to harmony, or design. Like all the others he wore no foot
covering, but had bare feet.
The crown was also a cloth band, but this was surrounded by
vertically-arranged thorns, huge things that showed their bristling
points, and wound, or rather braided around them, were garlands of human
hair, of different hues.
The Royal wand was an immense black staff, fully two inches thick, and
six feet long, one end of which was pointed, the other end terminating
within a large calabash. This wand he held with the pointed end upward.
When he appeared at the doorway the people fell down on their faces, and
after a few words all arose, and the man with the club turned toward the
hut where the Korinos were confined. Four of the largest warriors
accompanied him, while the people looked on in expectancy.
"The fun will now begin," whispered Harry, and it surely did. The club
bearer returned with a troubled look, and addressed the Chief.
The people soon learned of what had taken place, and the commotion was
evident. They speedily lost all semblance of order, and began to run to
and fro. The scowl on the face of the Chief was terrible, nor did he in
the least attempt to conceal his anger.
With a vehemence that caused the crowd to shiver, he gave a command, and
in a moment three men were brought forward, almost in a state of
co
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