porter's journal. 



Many specimens of this kind of ornament are now in mj pos- 

 session ; and there are few of the male natives who are des- 

 titute of them. I remarked, however, that none were in the 

 house, or to be found among the numerous family of the 

 venerable Gattanewa : and i am inclined to believe that 

 the old man wished to signify this when he was understood 

 to say that none of his family had ever eaten human flesh. 

 After this little digression (if such it may be called) which 

 is due to a people, who do not appear to deserve the stain 

 which has been cast upon them, 1 shall proceed in my nar- 

 rative. 



As I before observed, on my appearance the music (if 

 it may be called such) ceased ; anxious to know as much 

 as possible the religion and other ceremonies of this peo- 

 ple, I informed Gattanewa that they might proceed. The 

 priest mounted on his elevation ; the warriors ranged them- 

 selves in lines about the square ; the priest, after shaking 

 the dried branch of a palm-tree, to which was hung a 

 bunch of human hair, repeated a few words, when three 

 shouts were given by the warriors, as if with one voice, 

 each shout accompanied with a loud clap of the hands, 

 after which the drums beat for the space of about five 

 minutes, during which time they all sung with loud voices 

 and animated gestures until their voices gradually dying 

 away, silence ensued — this ceremony was three times per- 

 formed, and at each time with more and more animation : 

 they repeatedly pointed to the dead bodies, and would, at 

 times, address themselves to me. Wilson told me they 

 were singing their victory over their enemies, and returning 

 thanks to their gods for sending me to their aid. After the 

 ceremony was over, the priest asked me if it was not mo- 

 tahee, very fine, and on my signifying my assent, it gave 

 the most lively pleasure. 



I now inquired if they had heard from the Happahs 

 since the battle : they told me one of that tribe had that 

 morning arrived. I directed \i\m to be sent for: he ap- 

 proached, trembling for his safetj^ ; but on my ofTering my 

 hand, which I had taught all the natives was a token of 

 friendship, his fears seemed to subside. I learnt from him 

 that many of the tribe were badly wounded, and that the 

 whole were in the utmost dismay, and desired nothing 

 more ardently than peace. I represented to him the folly 



