with the Fdh Cannibals. 
211 
amongst the Fa^, and my account must differ 
greatly from that of M. du Chaillu. The reader, 
however, will remember that Mayyas is held by a 
comparatively civilized race, who have probably 
learned to conceal a custom so distasteful to all 
their neighbours, white and black ; in the remoter 
districts cannibalism may yet assume far more 
hideous proportions. Since the Fa n have encou¬ 
raged traders to settle amongst them, the interest 
THE DRUM. 
as well as the terrors of the Coast tribes, who 
would deter foreigners from direct dealings, has 
added new horrors to the tale ; and yet nothing 
can exceed the reports of older travellers. 
During my peregrinations I did not see a single 
skull. The chiefs, stretched at full length, and 
wrapped in mats, are buried secretly, the object 
being to prevent some strong Fetish medicine being 
made by enemies from various parts of the body. 
