Whilst struggling with the Indian, I saw Sexton, who was held by another, bite a piece out of his arm. After that, I knew nothing of him, until I found that his life was spared in a manner something similar to my own.
Not very far off, the other savages were dancing round a large fire, before which they had placed in a row, the heads of our unfortunate companions, whose bodies, after being stripped of their clothes, were left on the beach, and I should think the tide soon washed them away, for I never saw them afterwards. From these heads, I saw the savages, every now and then, cut pieces of flesh from the cheeks, and pluck out the eyes, and eat them, shouting most hideously. This, I afterwards learned, it was the custom of these islanders to do with their prisoners; they think that it will give them courage, and excite them to revenge themselves upon their enemies.
Sexton and myself were taken up to the fire, where some of the natives sat like tailors, dividing the clothes and other articles which they had taken from the bodies of the persons killed. We were given into the care of two of the natives, who covered us with a sort of mat, that formed the sail of the canoe. My wounds, which were still bleeding very much, they did not pay the least attention to.
Horrible and cruel ceremony of the Boydan Islanders.
See Page [30].
It is impossible for me to describe our feelings during this dreadful night. We fully expected, every moment, to share the fate of those whom we had so lately seen cruelly murdered. We prayed together for some time, and after each promising to call on the other’s relations, should either ever escape, we took leave of each other, giving ourselves up for lost.
At length the morning came; and the Indians, after having collected all the heads, took us with them in their canoes to another island, which they called Pullan, where the women lived. On landing, I saw Captain Doyley’s two children, and a Newfoundland dog, called Portland, which belonged to the ship.
The Indians took us to some open huts which they had in the island, and placed us before a fire; I saw there the gown worn by Mrs. Doyley at the time she left the wreck, the steward’s watch and white hat, and several other articles of clothing, which belonged to those of the crew who left the ship in the first raft.
Near the huts a pole was stuck in the ground, around which were hung the heads of our unfortunate companions. Among them I plainly recognized Mrs. Doyley’s, for they had left part of the hair on it; and I knew Captain Moore’s by the face.
Every morning about sunrise, and every evening at sunset, one of the natives went close to the pole, and blew seven or eight times through a large shell; which made a noise somewhat like blowing through a cow’s horn; at the same time looking up steadfastly at the heads.