was a quantity of food, and that each Wieroo was armed with a
wooden skewer, sharpened at one end; with which they carried
solid portions of food to their mouths. At the other end of the
skewer was fastened a small clam-shell. This was used to scoop
up the smaller and softer portions of the repast into which all
four of the occupants of each table dipped impartially. The Wieroo
leaned far over their food, scooping it up rapidly and with much
noise, and so great was their haste that a part of each mouthful
always fell back into the common dish; and when they choked, by
reason of the rapidity with which they attempted to bolt their
food, they often lost it all. Bradley was glad that he had a
pedestal all to himself.

Soon the keeper of the place returned with a wooden bowl filled
with food. This he dumped into Bradley's "trough," as he already
thought of it. The Englishman was glad that he could not see
into the dark alcove or know what were all the ingredients that
constituted the mess before him, for he was very hungry.

After the first mouthful he cared even less to investigate the
antecedents of the dish, for he found it peculiarly palatable.
It seemed to consist of a combination of meat, fruits,
vegetables, small fish and other undistinguishable articles of
food all seasoned to produce a gastronomic effect that was at
once baffling and delicious.

When he had finished, his trough was empty, and then he commenced
to wonder who was to settle for his meal. As he waited for the
proprietor to return, he fell to examining the dish from which he
had eaten and the pedestal upon which it rested. The font was of