“These South Sea islanders prefer goat’s meat to anything except pork,” said the captain; “in fact, the cannibals pay the doubtful compliment to human flesh of calling it 'long pig.’”
This mention of cannibalism made the boys feel rather uncomfortable. Although the captain reassured them and they knew that the horrible practice of eating human flesh had all but died out in the South Seas, except in some remote islands, they did not know but the one they were exploring might prove to be one of the latter. It was just as their minds were busy with these disquieting thoughts that Jack gave a sharp exclamation and came to a halt.
The fronds of a banana tree had parted suddenly in front of the lad who was in advance of the party.
Between the green leaves a hideous face, daubed with red and white paint, suddenly glared out at the boy and then, as swiftly, vanished.
CHAPTER X.—CHUMMING WITH SAVAGES.
So quickly had this happened that none of the others had seen it. But Jack quickly apprised them of his discovery.
“If the man’s face was painted, would that mean he was on the war-path?” asked Billy rather nervously.
“Not necessarily,” rejoined the captain, “but still, he might be hostile. On feast days the natives paint themselves up and that may have been the reason for his decorations.”
“Ugh! He was hideous enough to stop a clock or scare a locomotive off the track,” exclaimed Jack.