Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-07

would have denied the whole affair. We set out,
taking circuitous route towards the village; and,
being well acquainted with the road, we Came up
on them suddenly, and found them IN the midst
of their abominable ceremonies. On spot oi ris-
ing ground, just outside the village. we saw a
man preparing native oven, which is done IN
the following simple nanner:-A hole is made in
the ground, and hot stones are put within it, and
then all is covered up close. As We approached,
we saw evident signs of the murder which had
been perpetrated; bloody mats were strewed
around, and boy was standing by them actually
laughing; he put his finger to his head, and then
pointed towards bush. approached the bush,
aud there discovered human head. My feel
inss Of horror may be imagined as recognized
the features Of the unfortunate girl had seen
forced from our village the preceding evening"
We ran towards the fire, and there stood man
occupied in way few would wish to see. He
was preparing the four quarters of human body
for the feast; the large bones, having been taken
oar. were thrown aside, and the flesh being COM
pressed, he was in the act Of forcing it into the
oyen. While we stood tranSixed By this terri.
ble sight, large dog, which lay before the fire,
rose up. seized the bloody head. and walked of
with ii INTO the bushes; no doubt to hide it there
for appther meal! The man completed his task
with the most perfect composure, telling US. at
the same time, that the repast would not De rea
DIV for some hours! Here stood Captain Duke
and myself, both witnesses OF a scene which ma
nv travellers have related, and their relations
have invariably been treated with cOntenpt; in
deed, the veracitv Gi those who had The 'eherlty
to relate such incredible events has been every
where questioned. In this instance 1t "is no
warriors flesh to be eaten, there was M enc
my's blood 10 drink, in order u lniurlate them
they had no revenge to gray; no plea coolf
they make Of their passions having been reused by
battle, nor the excuse that they eat their enemies
to their perfect triumph. This was an action ct
uujustifiable cannbslism. Atoi, the chief, who
had given orders for this cruel feast, had only
TIE NIGHT before sold US four pigs for Few pounds
of powder; 50 he had not even the excuse OF
want of food After Capt. Duke and myself
Mad consulted with each other, we walked into
the village, determining TO charge Atoi with his
brutality. Atoi received US in his usual man
ner; and his handsome open countenance could
not be imagined to belong to so savage monster
as he had proved himself to be- | shuddered. at
beholling the unusual quantity of potatoes his
slaves were preparing to eat with THIS internal
banquet We talked cuolIy with huron the sub
ject; for as coul,. not prevent what had taken
place, we were resolved to learn. il possible, the
whole particulars. Atoi at first tiled to make US
believe he knew nothing abnut it, and thatit was
ONLY a meal for his slaves: but we had ascertain
ell il was for himself and his favnrite companions.
After various endeavors to conceal the fact, Atol
frankly owned that he was only waiting TIL the
cnokug was completed TO partake OF It,
He addict. tat. Kn,wing the horror we Eu.
yupeans neld these feasts in, the natives were al
ways most anxious to conceal them from us, and
he was very angry that il had come to our know
edge: but, as he had acknowledged the fact, he
naG no objection to talk about it. lie told US
that hannah flesh required greater number oil
hours to cook than any other; that it not done
enough. it was very tough. but when sufficiently
cooked it was as tender as paper He held in
his hand piece Of paper, which he tore in Illus
tration of his remark. He said the flesh then
preparing would not be ready till next morning
but one of his sisters whispered in my car that
her brother was deoeiving US, as they intended
feasiing at sunset. We inquired why and now
he had murdered the poor girl. lie replied, that
running away from him to her own relations wa.
her ONLY crime. He then took Us outside his
village. ard showed US the post to which she had
been tied. and laughed to think how he cheated
her: {. Fur,a said he, e" tod her only intend
cd to give her flossing. but fired aud SHOT her
through the heartw NV blood ran cold at this
relation, and looked with feelings OF horror AT
the savage while he related it. Sha.! ! be credit
ed when again affirm. that he was not only a
handsome vouns man, but mild aud genteel in
his lemeanur? He was man we bad admitted
to our table. and was general favorlte with us
all; and the poor victim to his b'oody cruelty
was pretty sirl Of about l6 years of aye! While
listening to this frsh,Iul detail we felt sick almost
to faintiny. We left Atoi, and again strolled to
wards the spot where this disgusting mess was
cooking.
Not native was near it: hot fetid steam kept
occasionally bursting from the smothcred mass;
and the same dog we had seen with the head,noN
crept from beneath the'bush, and ,sneaked toward:
the village: to add to the sloomness OF the whole
large hawk rose heavily from the very spot
where the poor victim had been cut in pieces.
My FREUD and sat gazing on this melancholy
place: it was lowering gusty day, and the moan
ing Of the wind through the bushes, as it swept
round the hill on which we were, seemed in uni
sou with our feelings.
After some time spent in contemplating the
miserable scene before US, Turing which we gave
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