earth with much attention;
the way in which they fortify their villages appears almost scientific.
The town in which I lived was surrounded by several deep moats, or
ditches, one within the other, arranged with so much intricacy, that it
was at first difficult to find my way out of it; then there were several
walls, and in the centre a sort of citadel on a hill surmounted by a
rock. On the summit of the rock stood a flagstaff, on which was
hoisted, in war-time, the flag of defiance.

I had been many months there in the condition of a prisoner, if not a
slave, before I was allowed to go beyond the fortifications. At last
the young chief invited me to accompany him. He did not explain where
he was going. He and all those with him were painted in their gayest
colours. We reached the sea-shore, and embarked in a large double
canoe, with an out-rigger to prevent her capsizing. Several other
canoes accompanied us.

We sailed on till we came to an island. At no great distance from the
water rose a high hill with a fort on the top of it. I remained on
board the canoe, while the chief and his followers landed. As soon as
they had done so, they began to shout out and to abuse the people in the
fort, daring them to come down. After a time, about a dozen left the
fort, and descended the hill to meet the invaders. Our chief had
stationed some of his people behind an embankment, and as soon as these
incautious warriors appeared, they drew their bows and shot three of
them. Then the people in the fort rushed down in great numbers to
secure their fallen companions; but in doing so, more were shot, and
others clubbed by our party, who carried off the bodies of the three
first killed, as well as most of the others, and then, with loud shouts
of triumph, retired to their canoes. With these spoils we sailed back.

We were received in the village with every demonstration of joy. In the
evening of the same day, when I went out, I found that all the slain had
been carried to the grove before the temple, and were placed in rows,
with their bodies covered over with paint. The chiefs and all the
principal men of the tribe were assembling from far and near. The
priest of the town was standing near the temple, and the butcher, as he
was called, a bloodthirsty monster, was ready with the implements of his
horrid trade, while his assistants were employed in heating the ovens.
I rushed from the spot; but, instigated by a curiosity