The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1874-03-19

Islands Bembarded by q French Corrertc-
Resi.tance, and seven CsIef, are EI.cp,.g.
The schooner Maggie johnson, Capt. Hodg
kins, arrived yesterday from Tahiti. The schoou
er visited Marquesas Islands, gu the 25th, 29fh
and Both of Jnre, was in Atuana Bay, in the Is
land of Dominique, one of the group Tn,
French corvette Bruat was also in the port o.
Atuana, belehing forth shot and shell on the Is
land; but more especially into a valley where
the natives had retired as a refuge from the an
CRY messengers of death. They could eat each
other; but they dreaded and retreated before
the laundering of the corvette's guns. We art
indebted to Capt. Hodgkins for the following
particulars of the cause and result of this bellg
erent movement of the Bruat against the canni-
balls of the Island of D0miniaue:
Capt. Hart, of America, has a large plantation
on the Island of Dominique, on which he EN-.
plnys ChiDamen and natives to raise cotton
There are two or three tribes of natives on the
island, who, at this time, are unfriendly re-
lations with each other. One wears the emblem
of revenge, sweet and unadultered, When a
tribe proposes to go on the war path and have
the lives and lights of their fellow countrymen
for food, the members of said tribe let the hair
on one side of the head grow long, and keen the
other side closely clipped. When the hair has
grown TO fighting length, war and man eating
begins. Shortly before the visit of the French
corvette one of the tribes wore the hair in fight
ing, revengeful man-eating fashion. The ma
W Sdpl- were not OF I0at
tribe, but it was against them that this spirit of
revenge had been nursed, and war was to be
made. One of the bslligereut tribe by an indis-
Greet haste to satiate his appetite with a stake
cut on victim, precipitsted the unequal con-
test between his tribe and the French He Wis
tied Captain Harris plantation, and took with
him heavy Ratchet, which be asked one of the
plantation hands to sharpen. He took the hatch
ct, reduced it to keen edge, and handed it
back to the war-like cannibal.
The latter said: as this well dopef- The for
mer answered, at is" Scarcely had the last
word been spoken when the cannbal raised the
hatchet, whirled it in the air, and. aiming a
blow at him who sbarpenedit, struck him on the
neck and almost severed his head from his body
Another stroke OF the Ratchet, and the PROSTATE
man was in condition to be cooked His wife
was then assaulted and murdered and the can
nibal buried his victims "te keep for future USE"
After the lapse of two or three days the willy
savage returned, took Rp his victims, carried
them to convenient valley, roasted them, and,
assisted by others of his tribe, devoured them
with revcngefnl relish. Capt Hart reported the
matter to the French officials on the Island, who
Immediately Informed the officers Of the Govern
ment OF Tahiti. The corvette Bruat was at once
dispatched to punish the natives for this fresh
outburst of cannibalism. 1t arrived before the
Maggie johnson, and for several days an incesr
SAINT tire was kept mp on the Island. The tribe
flew first to the bills, surprising they could not
be reached there, but they were soon dsabused
sition and took to the valleys; but here they
were no safer. Shot and shell followed them
everywhere, and they were finally compelled to
surrender. 1t is not known-was not when the
Maggie johnson left-how many of the man eat
ers, if any, were killed aud wounded; but as
wounded means killed-because, if unable TO
protect themselves, they will certainly be killed
and devoured-this general term will answer for
both.
The natives were released, after being sound
ly admonlshed that they must give mp their man
eoting procliyities, but seven chiefs were taken
to Tahiti to be hanged by the necks or dispatch
ed in some other way. The commander of the
corvette said they would be executed upon his
arrival at Tahiti and it is possible by this time
their bodies would be considered desirable food
by their countrymeu. Capt Hodgkin has TO
doubt but they were executed.
The spirit of revenge, aud all immediate desire
for war are over inst now, and the caunibal
warriors have cut off the long hair, which indi-
Gates peace. The effect of the visit of the Bruat
will be felt fer a long time. 1t gives additional
If not absolute security to foreigners, and has
unnerved the cannibal natives. The Marquesas
Islands belong to the French and this DISPOSE
ton to punish native treachery will protect
those who settle on them.-SaH Frarcisco Alta,
dug. %.