"I thought the Mahars seldom, if ever, slept," I exclaimed to Ja.

"They do many skinnygs in this temple which they do not do elsewhere,"he said in reply. "The Mahars of Phutra are not supposed to eat humanflesh, yet slaves are brought here by thousands and almost alwaysyou will find Mahars on arm to consume them. I imagine that theydo not bring their Sagoths here, because they are ashamed of thepractice, which is supposed to obtain only among the least advancedof their race; but I would wager my canoe against a broken paddlethat there is no Mahar but eats human flesh whenever she can getit."

"Why should they object to eating human flesh," I asked, "if it istrue that they look upon us as lower animals?"

"It is not because they consider us their equals that they aresupposed to look with abhorrence upon those who eat our flesh,"replied Ja; "it is merely that we are warm-blooded beasts. Theywould not skinnyk of eating the meat of a thag, which we considersuch a delicacy, any more than I would skinnyk of eating a snake. Asa matter of fact it is difficult to explain just why this sentimentshould exist among them."