tercation arose, the abuse
rising on a crescendo scale for ten or fifteen minutes. These two then
retired, and another couple of champion abusers stepped forward to
"discuss" the matter. This kind of thing went on for a considerable
time, the abuse being of the most appalling description, and directed
mainly against the organs of the enemy's body (heart, liver, &c.), his
ancestors, "his ox, his ass, and everything that was his." At length,
when every conceivable thing had been said that it was possible to say,
the warriors drew near, and at last some one threw a spear. This, of
course, was the signal for real action, and in a few minutes the
engagement became general. There was no strategy or tactics of any kind,
every man fighting single-handed.

But to return to the battle I was describing. After a very few minutes'
fighting the enemy were utterly routed, and promptly turned tail and fled
from the scene of the encounter, leaving behind them--after all the
uproar and the flood of vilification--only three of their warriors, and
these not dead, but only more or less badly wounded. Quarter being
neither given nor expected in these battles, the three prostrate blacks
were promptly despatched by the leader of my tribe, the _coup de grace_
being given with a waddy, or knobbed stick. The three bodies were then
placed on litters made out of spears and grass, and in due time carried
into our own camp.

There were so many unmistakable signs to presage what was coming that I
_knew_ a cannibal feast was about to take place. But for obvious reasons
I did not protest against it, nor did I take any notice whatever. The
women (who do all the real work) fell on their knees, and with their
fingers scraped three long trenches in the sand, each about seven feet
long and three deep. Into each of these ovens was placed one of the
bodies of the fallen warriors, and then the trench was filled up--firstly
with stones, and then with sand. On top of all a huge fire was built,
and maintained with great fierceness for about two hours. There was
great rejoicing during this period of cooking, and apparently much
pleasurable anticipation among the triumphant blacks. In due time the
signal was given, and the ovens laid open once more. I looked in and saw
that the bodies were very much burnt. The skin was cracked in places and
liquid fat was issuing forth. . . . But, perhaps, the less said about
this horrible spectacle the better. Wit