After reading the article, did he say it was a "joke" to save face, or was he truly depraved?

☡ Warning ☡ Graphic description of cannibalism☡******************* *******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

The story is true, but the intentions aren't clear...to some anuway. At the time, many Europeans falsly believed that Africa was a continent full of cannibals. As a wannabe naturalist, Jameson tagged along on an exhibition to save some dude, blah, blah, blah. Do you think he was a "product of his times," that he was a sick bastard, or that this whole incident started as a joke that he didn't think would go through? If you choose "POHT" please explain why you think he shouldn't be held responsible for his actions.