Above, Lotta can me seen securing herself inside the boat by gripping it between her powerful legs and nearly crushing the small vessel after the author accidently hit a log.

Upon reaching the village, the natives greeted Lotta warmly and then ate her.  In hindsight, the author can see how what he took as harmless fondling may have portended sinister things for Lotta.  Perhaps it was the apple they crammed in her mouth that should have been the author's first clue.