Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-11
ANlGHT WITH CANNlBALS.
The Feasts of British Columbia Man
Eaters Described.
Seattle Post-Intelllgsncer.I

General Lyman Banks and John Hutche-
son. two citizens of Seattle, have just re-
turned from q two months cruise OF the
northern coast of British Columbia, and
thew tell some thrilling stories Of sights
they have seen aud dangerous adventures
thew experienced during their cruise.
The old Hudson Bay Company strappers
all unite in calling the past winter the
worst that has been known in that part OF
the country in the last forty years, and q
leaf or two from their log books show that
the cruisers found that fact 70 be only too
true.
A Seattle Post In'elli7encer reporter hap
pered 10 meet General Banks on the
Street. and at his request the General re-
cited She story Of his most exciting and In
terestng cruise. The story Is interesting,
and It is given below IN the language of
General Banks himself. He began his
narration as follows: " We started out full
of great expectations and pleasant antlci-
lations. and We did not realize, for mo-
uent what trials we would have to 20
through. and tell you at times It required
. great deal Of western grit and push
10 get ahead. Those who are acquainted
With the difficulties OF trayerSlng
n summer n coast forest, with its thou
ands of uprooted trees and still worse
upheaved foundations, can perhaps readily
imagine how much greater hardship 1t
vas for us TO travel over three feet OF snow
On a level. and occasionally strike drifts
lauch deeper, and q great deal too much
tangle of sal-lal bush for snow-shoes. But.
10 add 10 oil our difficulties our half-breed
Guide and the Indian packers refused to
90 with us a. soon a. we had penetrated a
short distance inland. We had Just sight
ed some nils which they said we could
never pass over, and they alleged that no
human being had ever succeededln the at
tempt.
70 proceed any further, tut we mad started
out with determination to accomplish q
work and we were not TO be batfled 50 easily
IN the beginning of our journey. So we
backed up a couple of weeks rations and
an axe in our blankets and, shoulderlng
our Winchesters. we pushed on alone. Oh,
what Journey that was. i shall never
iorget it rs long as live.
where the snow was too soft and deep
we managed TO make progress by crawling
on our hands and knees. and at times we
we're obliged to lay down and roll TO get
cut of the snow. Ii was hard struggling
bg day, but the snow made soft bed at
night. We canoed over three hundred
miles. of our Journey, and some of 1t was IN
very rough waters. But the most startling
interest YOU most, happened one day just
a. we were running into cave to avoid a
storm. We got into the cave all right
enough, but imagine our horror and dis
gust when we found ourselves III the midst
OF the Nahwitti Indian tribe at their canni-
bal orgies. Cannibalism is prohibited by
the Dominion Government. but only q
monthly visit from vessels. and the nearest
port being miles away, they carry on the
horrible practice with Impunity.
1--WE watched the heathens during the
iay at long range. but under assurance of
safety we ventured after awhile into their
circle at night and watched them. j can
only describe the sight this way: There
was high fire of logs in the centre of the
circle. which was constantly attended by
two men. and occasionally there was an
extra hiss and flash as some uneaten fat
was thrown on. The entire tribe encircled
the fire dressed in blankets of many bril-
liant hues. There were naked dancers,
and dozen OF. more lusty savages with
clubs in their hands beating an accom-
paniment to their wild songs and dances,
and the whole sight made a weird scene
that is not soon forgotten. Their feast
consisted OF the bodiesof their dead. They
seldom kill strangers to furnish food for
these horrible orgies, as they were all the
time auarrelllng between themselves and
generally bad enough dead bodies OF braves
10 satisfy their appetites.
:" had n told in Victoria of the pos
sibility o.. Is. and warned that when wild
with the dance the braves rush out and
bite piece out of the first person they
come to. Now. have no objection to being
eaten after am dead, but to be bitten by
one OF those wild fellows would be as I'M
desirable as the bite Of mad-dog, and
lest in their excitement they might forget
their promise OF immunity held my hand
under my overcoat and grasped a 44-calibre
revolver thatwould have furnished rations
fitting the occasion.
!" Our sense Of security wns not in
ozeased BY ons OF them making speech,