Unintentional Cannibalism.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 204, 7 October 1873, Page 7

Unintentional Cannibalism.

(Graphic.) A “very special” correspondent of the Paris Figaro gives the following anecdote of Sir Bartle Frere when at Zanzibar Sir Bartle and his son, during an expedition “up country,” had imprudently wandered from their*escort and lost their way. After some time they perceived a negro’s hut, and, tired and hungry, proceeded to claim hospitality. An old negress appeared at the door and gave them some eggs, which our envoy at once converted into an omelette, and seeing numbers of little round black balls suspended from the roof and fancying them to be small mushrooms, popped them into the pan, utterly disregarding the old woman’s anxious remonstrances. After their meal, in came the owner of the cabin, who on learning what his visitors had done broke into a violent rage. “Miserable strangers,” cried he, “you have eaten all my war trophies and, in answer to Sir Bartle’s inquiries, informed him that what he had taken for mushrooms were no less than the ears of his enemies whom he' had killed in battle. “Sir Bartle Frere,’’added Figaro, “was ill with indigestion for four days.”