42 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



The unexpected response seems to have struck terror into 

 priest and people, for during the night the town was evacuated, 

 and the 'devil' temple, unaccustomed to be burned, was duly 

 committed to the flames. 



The chiefs invariably harangue their followers before an 

 assault ; these harangues are usually eloquent, aud delivered 

 with great vigour. They walk along the front of the lines 

 beseeching, taunting, breaking out into great leaps and bounds, 

 expressive of the activity they intend to display, and inciting 

 their followers to imitate them. This may be regarded as an 

 appeal to the old savage elements, for when it is finished, a 

 more dignified ceremony is observed. 



The Christian teacher comes forward, and all the soldiers 

 kneeling down with their faces to the earth, he pours forth a 

 prayer for success in battle. The teachers are not slow to 

 shoulder a rifle themselves, and some of them had to be 

 reminded after the fight that it was their special duty to show 

 care for the wounded, and prevent cruelty to the vanquished. 



Mr. Gordon set them an example which at first they could 

 scarcely comprehend. A poor baby was shot on its mother's 

 back during the flight, the ball passing across its stomach. 

 The mother threw it down as dead, but it was found alive, and 

 the utmost care was taken of it ; and when at length it died, 

 it was wrapped in Mr. Gordon's mat. 



The cannibals did not show similar humanity. They cap- 

 tured a teacher belonging to the British forces. The unfor- 

 tunate man was rather shortsighted, and had walked inad- 

 vertently into the enemy's camp. He was clubbed, carried off, 

 and eaten. His bones, with the marks of the fire on them, 

 were found when the town was captured shortly afterwards. 



It is a strange reflection that the men who captured the town 

 were themselves cannibals only a few years before, but had 



