Mr. Marspen’s Notice respecting the Natives of New Guinea. 127 
The name of the place near to which the ship anchored they called 
Braou.* In the fight that ensued between the crews of the boats and the 
natives, the former were overpowered; several of them were killed, and 
others made prisoners. When first seized, their hair was cut off, their 
hands were bound, and ropes were fastened about their necks; but they 
were afterwards suffered to go about freely in the day-time, and only at 
night had clogs attached to their legs, to prevent any attempt at escape ; 
for which reason also they were kept in separate huts, that the less oppor- 
tunity might be afforded for concerting plans. They were not treated with 
severity, were not beaten, nor compelled to work, and had a sufficient 
allowance of provisions ; chiefly sago-bread. 
The dead bodies of the people belonging to the boats, who fell in the 
attack, were eaten by the natives, according to their usual custom; but 
none of the prisoners were killed for that purpose, nor, as far as they knew, 
were they in the habit of feasting upon the bodies of any persons sacrificed 
for the occasion. No distinction, however, is made between such as are 
slain and those who die a natural death. Of three Europeans thus devoured, 
they were eye-witnesses of the fate of two; one of them a mate, the other 
a midshipman or petty officer: the third was a Portuguese helmsman, who 
was not eaten in their presence. The Lascars were desired by the people 
not to be alarmed at these proceedings, but to go to sleep ; no harm being 
intended to themselves. The flesh was cut from different parts of the body 
and limbs, with small knives, then prepared by heating over the fire in 
earthen vessels, and eaten without salt or pepper.{| The bones they broiled 
slightly, and when the remaining flesh was picked off, they were laid up in 
the house, in order to their being afterwards employed in the manufacture 
of weapons, tools, and fish-spears ; specimens of which these people brought 
away with them. ‘The sculls, being stripped of the flesh, were kept in 
baskets. On occasions of this kind a number of persons are collected 
together from the neighbouring dwellings; such meals not being made ina 
private or family way, although the bodies of friends and relations are 
eaten, as well as those of enemies, Both are treated in the same manner. 
* This name is not found in the maps, but I read it in a Malayan letter from the Sultan of 
Tidore. The European called the place of his captivity, Yaloupe ; but the prisoners may have 
been distributed among different villages. 
+ The Battas of Sumatra, in such feasts, use both; the red or chili-pepper being understood. 
