Their faces were painted with charcoal, worked up with grease; their bodies, with white clay, in patterns of various fancies.

Some had feathers thrust through their noses, and their heads decorated with the same....

It is unnecessary to dwell on the sensations with which I beheld the approach of this uncouth, if not frightful assemblage.
"The chief entered first, and the rest followed without noise.

On receiving a sign from the former, the latter seated themselves on the floor.
"Minavavana appeared to be about fifty years of age.

He was six feet in height, and had, in his countenance, an indescribable mixture of good and evil....