This was thrown over the Pilot's shoulders; a tuft of feathers, something resembling a funeral plume, was placed upon his head, and a large semi-circular fan was thrust into his hand.

Thus equipped, a procession was formed, one half before and the other half behind him.

The _cortege_ began to move slowly in the direction of the interior, but the operation was disconcerted by Willis, who remained stock-still.
"Thank you," he said, "I would rather not go far away from the shore." As soon as the natives saw clearly that Willis was not disposed to move, the chief issued a mandate, and four stout fellows immediately removed the idol from its position, and Willis was placed upon the vacant pedestal.
The kind of adoration with which all these proceedings were accompanied greatly perplexed the voyagers.

What could it all mean?
Was this a common mode of welcoming strangers?
It occurred to Jack that the Romans were accustomed to decorate with flowers the victims they designed as sacrifices to the altars of their gods before immolating them.

This reminiscence made his flesh creep with horror, and filled him with the utmost dismay.
"Willis!" he cried to the Pilot, whom they were now leading off in triumph, "let us try the effects of our rifles on this rabble; you jump over the heads of your worshippers, and we will charge through them to shore.