Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-09-18
CannIbar Feast.

otuoi hStonSO VI iuOlatiy ouo Soh
nibalism, which occurred al a negr
settlement on the Eastern coast {
Africa. The facts are stated on tn
authority of creditable persons VIII
witnessed the revolving scenes whicl
are described.
The substance OF the story Is
that the chief or king OF a negro vii
lage Of Grand Bassa, situated on The
right bank of the river of that name
a village which had placed itself un
der the protection Of the French
and where a French fort was estab.
lished-determined TO celebrate the
creation Of a new centre OF popula.
tion recently established in his neigh.
borhooG. He arranged a programme
for feast accordingly, and in order
TO conciliate the idol god which he
and his tribe worshipped, he resolved
to immediate a human victim, who,
after the sacrifice, should serve 20
crafty the lerocious aPpetites Of his
cannibal people. To accomplish his
purpose, the king, whose name is
Peter, purchased in one Of the inte-
rior villages a black captive, who
was carried to Grand Bassa, tied
hands and feet. and confhed in the
house of one Of the war chiefs.
By some means, not probably
without assistance, the poor captive
escaped from his confinement, and
took refuge in the French fort, where
he was concealed in the house occu-
pied by some of the natives in the
service ofthe post. Peter, however,
discovered the retreat Of the fugitive,
and Immediately entered into nego-
iiations with Il native corporal,
whom he well knew, and whom he
succeeded in bribing, to deliver the
victim again into his hands.
AT an hour agreed upon, a number
OF armed men presented themselves
at the house where the fugitive was
concealed, having the unworthy cor
poral at their head. Contrary, how
ever, TO expectations, and notwith-
standing the menaces Of the corporal,
the occupants of the house obstinate
Iy refused to deliver up the poor slave.
He, however, leaIing that his protec-
tors might be induced at last TO SUBJ
NIT him to his fate, or be overcome by
the corporal's men, took the oppor-
iunitv TO leave the house, and sought
another asylum among some black
Senegals, with whom he ventured to
entrust himself. They proved faith
less, however, and bound him, as he
was bound when first brought into |
The village, and delivered him once
more into the hands of his old ene-
mics. This was all done without
The knowledge OF the French author
ties at the fort.
Peter having accomplished his OBJ
ect and again become master of the
slave whom he had doomed as sac
rifce TO his idol, assembled his prin-
;ipal chiefs upon the great square Of
he village, duly bedecked and ac-
for the barnarous scenes
hey were to enact. The wretched
lave was tied TO an idol tree, while
he chiefs surrounded him with fran
ic dances and hideous yells, accom-
'ananied by the harsh sounds of
enormous gong. The scene OF can
libalism followed, amidst the fero-
ious shouts Of the savage people.
Zach warrior in turn inflicted a
hastily wound upon the unfortunate
irisoner, thus numbering him as il
we're by inches ; and when his cries
( agony had at length ceased, his
cad was severed from his body, and
lanted upon pole erected in the ,
entire of the square, amidst the fe-
ocious hurrahs of the cannibal null ;
tude.
A frightful least followed this sac :
flee. The body was cut up in small
ieces and boiled in a great kettle, r
nd each of the assistants partook, :
nth ferocious avidity, of the abomi- !
able repast. The corporal, through 5
those baseness the poor slave had +
cen restored, after having once es- I
aped from the cannibals, was one Of :
ne most g eedy guests at this feast. T
he remainder OF the day was spent !
dancing around the decolaled r
cad. r
The commander of the French
'rt, it is said, had ordered an inquiry
1to the conduct of the treacherous a
orporal. He had also demanded Of
he negro king an explanation of his 2
and being refused, threaten c
d to direct the batteries of the fort {
gainst the village. Peter was at
lst frightened into the payment Of a L
ne OF twenty ounces Of gold, and a
n agreement TO supply the fort with Ic
certain quantity of beet and nut.
on; and this seems 10 have efec- 1
ually quieted the benevolent horror /
n the Ero1.L -. -