EPIC headlines harks back to December 16, 1922:
Three Englishmen Saved from Boiling Pot By Cannibal Chief, Who Was Friend at Oxford
Can it be true?
This was “an amazing story – which may or may not be true”. Get a load of the “three young Oxford graduates” sat in three pots, each vessel seasoned to perfection. The natives, poised with sharpened blade and gnashing tooth, are interrupted by a “huge negro”. He beats the hungry mob into a pulp. He speaks in English “with a light Oxford drawl”. He says: “I am very sorry you have been inconvenienced gentlemen, but all is well now. These warriors will see you safely back to your missionary station…”
He adds as an aside:
“I’m dressed so differently that probably you do not recognize me, but I recognize you well enough. You were along with me at Balliol, three years ago, and of course no Balliol man could think of eating a fellow Balliol man.”
You can take the huge native out of his suit and tie, but you can never take the Balliol out of him.
Had the three-course supper gone to Trinity, the story would have been bloody and murderous.
PS – Nothing mroe was heard of the trio. No story was sold. Were they eaten later?
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