Many heads were brought into the town, but these were ordered buried, and the natives, after some grumbling, finally complied.
Phil and Sydney saw the heads collected by native chiefs appointed by Lieutenant Gant. One head in the gruesome pile gave him a start that he will always remember. It was that once proudly carried by Captain “Bully” Scott. The grayish whiskers and long matted locks of once black hair, but now turning gray. The usually sun-brown face had turned to an ashen pallor. Yet the likeness in death was as vivid as in life.
Phil had the head taken up and wrapped in tapa cloth, and then carried it to Commander Tazewell.
In front of the Tivoli Hotel they found him.
Phil quickly explained his mission.
All retired inside the hotel while a box was ordered brought.
Phil laid his ghastly relic on the floor and gingerly unwrapped it.
All gazed upon it in silence. Commander Tazewell nodded, and Phil rewrapped the head carefully and placed it within the box.
As they left the hotel O’Neil brought up the native who claimed to have taken the head.
“He says he didn’t kill him,” O’Neil said, “but I think probably he did, and is afraid to say so. He thinks we are displeased because it was a white man.”