every species of abomination, and kill, roast, and eat each
other, just as they did a hundred years ago.

The eating of human beings, or, as it is called, cannibalism, is no idle
tale invented by travellers. Men of the highest character for truth,
who have had ample opportunity for observation, from the time of Cook to
the present day, have assured us that the natives of those lovely
regions are cannibals: that they not only eat the bodies of enemies
slain in war, but even kill and eat their own slaves. Of this you shall
hear more anon; meanwhile, let us turn aside to see how these savage
warriors go forth to battle.

When it has been decided that they shall go to war, the natives of the
South-Sea islands commence their preparations with human sacrifices to
the god of war. After many strange, bloody, and superstitious rites,
the warriors arm themselves and prepare for the fight.

Their weapons, which they use with great dexterity, are slings for
throwing heavy stones, pikes headed with the bones of sting-rays, and
clubs about six or seven feet long, made of a very hard and heavy wood.
In some instances these are richly carved. The chief of each district
leads his own subjects to the field, and reports the number of his men
to the leading chief. When all are assembled they sally forth. If the
fight is to take place on land, it is sometimes begun by the celebrated
warriors of each army marching to the front of their respective lines,
and sitting down on the ground. Several of these then step forward, and
boastfully challenge each other to combat. The challenge is usually
accepted at once, and after taunting each other for some time, they
engage in furious battle. When one falls, a man from his side rises and
steps forward to fill his place and continue the fight. If either party
gives way, then the main body of the army to which it belongs rushes
forward to its support. The opposing army of course springs forward to
meet them, and thus the fight becomes general. The main bodies advance
in ranks four deep. In the first rank are the bravest men, armed with
spears; in the second rank they are armed with clubs to defend the
spearmen. The third row consists of young men with slings, and the
fourth is composed of women, who carry baskets of stones for the
slingers, and clubs and spears for the other combatants.

There is no science displayed in their mode of fighting. The opposing
armies rush upon each other w