36 BLIGH AND HIS CREW. 
Captain Cook saw several specimens in 1777, 
and which have been noticed by subsequent tra- 
vellers. Cook admired their well-carved clubs 
and spears ; their earthen pots, variegated mats, 
and beautifully chequered cloth ; but spoke with 
disgust of their abominable repasts. He re- 
marked that the inhabitants of Tongataboo, an 
island about three days' sail from the Fejees, 
hold this horrid custom in detestation ; but are 
induced by fear to cultivate the friendship of 
their terrible neighbours, and are accustomed to 
bend the body forward, and cover their faces 
with their hands, to express the sense of their 
own inferiority to the Fejee men. Cannibalism 
prevails everywhere among them, except in the 
places in which Christianity has made progress. 
Captain Worth was informed by Mr. Hunt, the 
chairman of the Wesleyan Mission, that not 
fewer than five hundred persons had been eaten 
within fifteen miles of his residence, during the 
five years previous. Many of the Fejeeans 
acknowledge that they greatly prefer human 
flesh to any animal food whatever. Much more 
might be said on the frightful traits of character 
which have been drawn of these people. But 
they are too revolting ; and it is time to return 
to the band of men who had been so wonder- 
fully preserved from threatening dangers. 
A small blank book, which had been com- 
menced in the Bounty, for the insertion of signals, 
was now found very serviceable in the launch. 
This book was used by Bligh, who, in conse- 
quence of its exposure to the wet, found it 
difficult to make his notes. "It is with the 
