omen and young
girls brought baskets of fish, roasted birds, and prepared bulrush
root, whilst some very large eggs, such as I had never seen the like
before, with green shells were stacked upon the grass. Strange-looking
animals also, together with snakes and lizards, were stewed in clay
vessels, while the savages gathered round in gloating anticipation of
this repulsive food. When all was prepared one of the women gave a
peculiar cry, when there came from among the trees the young men who
had that morning undergone the baptism of initiation, each carrying
upon his shoulder a bundle wrapped in reeds and bulrushes. Arrived in
front of one who now acted as chief, much laid down his burden,
exposing the contents--the body of a native child!--half roasted and
drawn--the "long pig" of the cannibals!

Overcome by what I had seen, I sought my gunyah, where I passed the
night a prey to the most dismal forebodings. Next morning I became ill,
with violent pains and headache, which incapacitated me for some days,
during which time a lubra named Moira sat beside me, apparently anxious
to do what lay in her power to ease my sufferings.

Helped by the words I had learnt in my former intercourse with savages
at the islands we had visited in the early part of the voyage, I was
soon able to make myself understood to Moira, and to understand what
she said when I confided to her my desire to escape to the sea coast At
first she would only shake her head, but I became so insistent that at
length she consented to help me. A tribal ceremony was very shortly to
be celebrated, so Moira informed me, when the night would be favourable
for the success of our project, since the tribe would then be assembled
at the camp fires. On that night, moreover, there was no moon until
late, and we trusted to be able to slip away in the darkness
unobserved.

I had always been impatient of my captivity, but now that escape was in
sight I could scarcely control my desire to be rid of these savages. I
counted the days, dreading lest some change in the manner of my
captivity might prevent the carrying out of the plan we had formed; but
all went well until the time came when Moira whispered to me our chance
had come.

The tribe were assembled at the camp fire, engaged in one of their many
rites to propitiate the evil spirits whom alone they worship. Beyond
the glow, darkness complete and compelling hung like a pall. The stars
were hid by a curtain of clouds.