They wore coronets on their heads adorned with the red tail feathers of the common gray parrot.

Most of the men had beards, which were divided in the middle, red and white beads being strung up the tips.

Some wore only a strip of goatskin hanging from the waist, or the skin of a tigercat, while others had short petticoats made of cloth woven from the inner bark of a tree.

The travelers were led to the hut of the chief, where they were surrounded by a mob of the cannibals.

The Houssas had been strictly enjoined to leave their guns in the bottom of the canoe, as Mr.Goodenough desired to avoid all appearance of armed force.