could not possibly have discovered
my way again to the ocean. At length we drew up under a thick shaded
bank, when the chief and most of his followers landed, stepping
noiselessly over the soft green sward as they made their way through the
forest. One man only was left in each canoe. I also remained, having
now stronger fears than ever that my companions were bent on evil. Not
a sound was heard except those I have before described proceeding from
the forest. Suddenly I saw a bright light burst forth amid the branches
of the trees. Loud shrieks and cries rent the night air. My companions
seemed highly excited, and could scarcely restrain themselves from
leaping on shore and deserting the canoes. The cries increased. Shouts
of triumph rose above them. For some minutes they continued. So
fearful were the sounds that they made my heart sink within me, and
gladly would I have escaped from them. Then all was silent. In a few
minutes we heard steps coming through the forest. I had little doubt
that some village had been attacked by my friends, and expected to see a
number of prisoners brought to the canoes; but, instead, every man bore
a round ball in his hand, so it seemed through the gloom; but when they
stepped into the canoes, what was my horror to discover that each was a
human head held by the hair. Shoving off their canoes, they began to
paddle away down the stream up which we had come. Once more they were
silent, as they had been when we approached the ill-fated village. I
had now no doubt that they had set fire to it while the inhabitants were
fast asleep, and then, as they rushed out to escape the flames, they had
waylaid and cut off the heads of all they could catch hold of.

When daylight broke, we had already gained the mouth of the river. Each
man who had been so fortunate as to kill an enemy, sat with a gory head
by his side, and my horror was increased when I saw that several were
those of women and children. I turned away sick at heart from the
spectacle. The river opened out on one side into a wide lagoon, and as
the mists of night rose, I saw at no great distance a tall bird with red
plumage standing in the water seeking his prey. His body was
comparatively small, but he had an enormous neck, and a bill a yard
long, it seemed, and of immense size at the head. I knew him at once to
be an adjutant bird--the chief of fishermen. Soon he began to move his
head rapidly about, then he made so