COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
127 
other instantly ran up and stuck his spear into isai. 
it also, and then beating it about the head with Dec. 25. 
a small hammer very soon despatched it. 
This event collected the whole tribe to the 
spot, who assisted in landing their prize, and 
washing the sand off the body ; they then carried 
the animal to their fire at the edge of the grass, 
and began to devour it even before it was dead. 
Curiosity induced Mr. Cunningham and myself 
to view this barbarous feast, and we landed about 
ten minutes after it had commenced. The mo- 
ment the boat touched the sand, the natives, 
springing up and throwing their spears away 
into the bushes, ran down towards us ; and, be- 
fore we could land, had all seated themselves 
in the boat ready to go on board, but they were 
obliged to wait whilst we landed to witness their 
savage feast. On going to the place we found 
an old man seated over the remains of the 
carcass, two-thirds of which had already dis- 
appeared; he was holding a long strip of the 
raw flesh in his left hand, and tearing it off the 
body with a sort of knife ; a boy was also feasting 
with him, and both were too intent upon their 
breakfast to notice us, or to be the least dis- 
concerted at our looking on. We, however, were 
very soon satisfied, and walked away perfectly 
