CANNIBALISM. 



189 



When the intentions of the natives are hostile, the women and 

 children are kept out of the way ; the men are quite naked, 

 their bodies painted more than usual, and the leader of the 

 party has a band of white feathers around his head. 



Mr. Low had a Fueoian boy on board the Adeona, who 

 learned to speak English very tolerably, during eighteen months 

 that he staid on board as a pilot and interpreter. This boy, 

 whose name, among the sealers, was Bob, was one of the Chonos 

 tribe, and had never been south of Magalhaens Strait before 

 he embarked with Mr. Low. He said, that in cases of extreme 

 distress, caused by hunger, human flesh was eaten, and that 

 when they had recourse to such food, the oldest women inva- 

 riably suffered. The poor creatures escaped to the woods, if 

 possible, at such a time, but were soon found and brought 

 back by force. They were killed by suffocation, their heads 

 being held over the thick smoke of a fire made of green wood, 

 and their throats squeezed by the merciless hands of their 

 own relations. This boy imitated the piercing cries of the 

 miserable victims whom he had seen sacrificed. He also men- 

 tioned that the breasts, belly, hands, and feet, were most liked. 

 When first questioned on this subject, he showed no reluctance 

 in answering any questions about it ; but after a time, perceiv- 

 ing how much shocked his English companions were at the 

 story, and how much disgust it excited among the crew of the 

 vessel, he refused to talk of it again. 



The diflPerent tribes of canoe Indians are generally upon 

 hostile terms with each other, as well as with the horse Indians. 

 This may be more particularly noticed about the western 

 entrance of Magalhaens Strait, where the tribes which inhabit 

 opposite sides * are particularly inveterate in their hostility. 



On the west coast of Patagonia, from the Strait of Magal- 

 haens to Cape Tres Montes, Mr. Low found that the natives 

 seemed to be of one tribe, and upon friendly terms with one 

 another. A man, whose native name was Niqueaccas, was 

 taken on board Mr. Low's vessel, near Cape Victory, as a pilot, 



* Chonos and Alikhoolip. 



